Happy skin needs happy bacteria. This is the concept which Gallinée swears by in marketing products that take care of the skin's ecosystem. Many other beauty brands agree with this approach, and skin microbiome is one of this year's biggest trends in the cosmetics industry.
In June, CosmeticsDesign held its first summit in Amsterdam, to discuss skin microbiome innovation.
Last month, the Skin Microbiome Congress was held in Olympia London to share how microbiome research can be translated into beauty and personal care products featuring prebiotic, probiotic and postbiotic ingredients to protect and promote healthy skin.
Launched in 2007 by the US National Institutes of Health, the 10-year integrative Human Microbiome Project (HMP) has inspired this development in the cosmetic industry.
Gallinée Youthful Serum.
The HMP examined the human microbiome or collective genomes of microbes (bacteria, bacteriophage, fungi, protozoa and viruses) living inside and on the human body, and the microbial communities' role in health and disease.
Outnumbering human cells, many trillions of the tiny micro-organisms normally live in harmony with the body. Key roles include boosting the immune system, digesting food and producing certain vitamins and compounds.
Like how the food industry uses probiotics and prebiotics to promote a healthy digestive system, the cosmetic industry is following a similar approach to nourish and balance the skin's microflora.
Saturday Skin Cotton Cloud Probiotic Power Mask.
Probiotics refer to beneficial microorganisms, prebiotics are nutrients that promote their growth and/or activities, while postbiotics are the metabolic byproducts that are active biologically in the host.
Based in Brittany, France, Gallinée combines prebiotics, probiotics and lactic acid, which is a postbiotic since it is naturally produced by good bacteria.
Gallinée Youthful Serum, for instance, contains lactic acid, prebiotics comprising fibres and sugars while probiotics include those from lactobacillus and lactococcus families. The haircare range also features a pre- and postbiotic complex as well as fermented rice water to maintain a healthy scalp.
Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate.
Brands under French cosmetic giant L'Oreal have also upgraded their products, based on the skin microbiome science.
LancÔme Advanced Génifique is enriched with a patented complex of pre- and probiotic fractions. Each dropper is claimed to deliver four probiotics and three prebiotics, 30 million fractions of them, to help the skin better defend and recover itself.
Allies of Skin Molecular Saviour Probiotics Repair Mist. Sephora
A good balance of bacteria on the skin also keeps blemishes at bay. La Roche-Posay reformulated its Effaclar Duo [+] with prebiotic ingredient to fight back acne. Likewise, its Lipikar and Toleriane product lines for dry skin and sensitive skin now provide a prebiotic action.
As more skincare brands have jumped on the bandwagon, the beauty routine can involve many items, from facial foam and mist and cream and mask, for a thriving microbiome while fending off bad bacteria.
