Rubbing bacteria on your face may sound like a sure fire way to a bad skin day, but a little of the right kind of microbes within probiotic skincare could be the answer to your skin woes.

Most wellness buffs know a thing or two about probiotics. Pop these good bacteria into your daily diet and the benefits are endless, with evidence even showing they can help allergy sufferers. Balance your gut and you can take on the world, right?

Living Skin

It turns out our skin deserves the same treatment. Far from being just a protective outer layer, our skin is our largest organ, and the systems that support it are just as dynamic as the rest of our body.

According to Anne-Marie Niens of Yun Probiotherapy, “skin is protected by the first layer of defense called the microbiome.” This is essentially a collection of microorganisms that live on the surface of your skin. Although most of the time we live in blissful ignorance that there’s living things that call our face home, they have ways of making themselves known.

When the balance of good versus bad bacteria is out of whack, as Niens explains, an overload of bad bacteria can cause an increase in the amount of “infections on the skin,” which can mean anything from acne to the fungal kind. Yikes.

A huge cause of this is the misconception that we need to make our skin a bacteria-free zone. Antibacterial and overly stripping products don’t differentiate between good and bad bacteria, destroying both indiscriminately. In turn, this upsets the balance of your skin, leaving it vulnerable to the things the skin microbiome system naturally defends against, such as free radicals and foreign pathogens.

Bringing Back the Balance

Taking probiotics internally helps to restore balance from the inside out, but topical probiotics are also proving to make a difference. Studies of some strains of probiotic bacteria have shown that they can be used to treat skin conditions including acne and dehydrated skin, all just by counteracting bad bacteria and restoring the pH level of the skin.

Most skincare however, will not contain live probiotics like the ones you’ll find in your favorite yogurt drink. Things such as preservatives and formulating processes can make it a little tricky to keep them in the land of the living. Instead, cosmetic formulators will often use methods that involve extracting the beneficial properties from the cells, which still has a noticeable effect on skin.

It’s time to learn to love bacteria (well, the good kind), and we know a few beautifiers which will make the lesson a whole lot easier.

5 Probiotic Skincare Heroes

1. Acure Organics Sensitive Facial Cleanser

Choosing a gentle cleanser is key to maintaining a healthy balance of bacteria, as harsh facial washes can strip away the good stuff. Acure Organics’ sensitive skin offering not only takes it easy on excessive cleansing, but flaunts fermented resveratrol extract among the ingredients list as a natural skin defender.

2. The Beauty Chef Probiotic Skin Refiner 

An impression concoction of fermented grains, seeds, grasses, fruits, algae, vegetables, and herbs, this hydrating potion offers up something a little different which niche beauty lovers will adore. Lactic acid and lactobacillus also keep your pH number at healthy levels. Hello friendly microbes!

3. Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Revitalise & Glow Serum

Want to wake up every morning with an unbeatable glow? This lightweight but nourishing serum will do just that. Infused with both anti-aging peptides and calming probiotics, it’s a one-way ticket to even and plump looking skin. The addictive scent of jasmine, tuberose, and mandarin is just the floral cherry on top of this probiotic skincare wonder.

4. de Mamiel Dewy Facial Mist

Give thirsty skin a decadent drink with this instantly soothing mist. Alongside a type of lactobacillus to help strengthen the skin’ defense, this botanical beauty is brimming with antioxidants, making it perfect for facing environmental stresses.

5. Esse Skincare Cream Mask

Containing both prebiotics and probiotics, this moisturizing mask provides your skin microbiome with all the tools it needs to flourish. As well as a five minute pick-me-up, it can also be left on overnight to help tackle hyperpigmentation.

Related on EcoSalon

The 6 Miracle Natural Skincare Ingredients Every Goddess Needs
How to Stay Germ-Free This Flu Season Without Toxic Antibacterial Soaps
6 Unusual Uses for Natural Probiotics

The post Why Probiotics Could Save Your Skin (Yes, Bacteria!) appeared first on EcoSalon.

How to use your razor to score younger-looking skin.

We all love a new spin on an old favorite – especially when that new spin can help us score younger-looking skin. Ladies, I’d like to re-introduce you to… your razor.

That’s right, the handy little gizmo that keeps your legs looking so fresh and so clean is also one of your best anti-aging crime fighters. The backs of your hands, neck, and décolletage are some of the most noticeable places we age, and by shaving these areas twice a week in the shower, you’re not only exfoliating your skin, but stimulating collagen production, says Kerry Benjamin, aesthetician and owner of Kerry Benjamin Skincare.

I know, it sounds strange, but according to Benjamin it leads to a domino effect of goodness: Your beauty products will penetrate better, your makeup will go on smoother, and your skin will appear brighter and dewier. Cha. Ching. “It’s a fantastic way to exfoliate your skin,” says Benjamin. “It’s inexpensive, quick and effective.”

And if you’re feeling particularly adventurous: Shave your face too! “It’ll instantly brighten you up once all the baby hairs are removed and your makeup will go on smoothly,” says Benjamin. It’s basically an at-home version of a professional dermaplane procedure, which uses an itty bitty sharp tool to scrape away the peach fuzz and slough off dead skin cells, leaving you with softer, younger-looking skin.

Contrary to popular belief, shaving won’t (I repeat, won’t) make your hair grow back thicker and darker, so you don’t have to worry about someone eventually asking you, “Aren’t you on Duck Dynasty?” The reason the belief in this myth is so strong is because when your hair grows out naturally, it tapers off to a sharp point, making the hair look thinner. When you shave it, the blunt cut of the re-growth seems coarser and thicker when it first starts growing out. “After a day or two, it goes back to exactly the way it was before you shaved,” says Benjamin.

When shaving your hands, neck and décolletage…

You can use the same razor you’re already using for your legs, such as the Preserve Triple Razor (making sure to change it regularly, of course). All you have to do is gently swipe the backs of your hands, neck, and decolletage as part of your beauty routine in the shower, following up with a quality moisturizer and SPF.

When shaving your face…

“I start at the top of my ear and shave down, going down to my jawline and in toward my nose to get the whole cheek, jawline, chin and upper lip,” says Benjamin. “Then, the sides of my face by my eyes, followed by my forehead, using downward strokes from the top of my hairline toward my brows. Lastly, I’ll stroke my neck downward from my jawline.”

Very little pressure’s needed, since you’re just exfoliating the dead outer layer of skin and removing the fine baby hairs. Make sure you use a fresh razor on your face and apply a creamy cleanser before shaving.

If you’re looking to achieve a dermaplane-esque treatment at home, they’re typically done with the skin dry, followed up with a peel, serums and moisturizer. “I recommend using a face shaver on dry skin, followed by an enzyme peel for a deeper exfoliation, then apply your serums and moisturizer,” says Benjamin. (Only, wait to do this until you’ve shaved your face several times and your skin’s adjusted to the regime.)

How often you should do this for younger-looking skin is up to you: It’ll vary depending on your hair growth and your desired look for your skin. “Twice a month should be ample to keep your skin smooth and free of peach fuzz,” says Benjamin.

For the ultimate dermaplane effect at home, Benjamin recommends taking one of these facial razors for a spin:

• FT Shiseido Facial Razor
• Remington Dual Blade Facial Trimmer
• Panasonic Pivoting Facial Trimmer

What do you think about this new path to younger-looking skin?

Related on EcoSalon

5 Best Beauty Products to Brighten Winter Skin

High Definition: Tinted Moisturizer for the Dry Months

Renew Your Skin: 8 Best Organic and Natural Scrubs

Image: John Vance

The post 4 Unexpected Ways to Younger-Looking Skin: Use Your Razor, Ladies appeared first on EcoSalon.