While fermented foods have long been shown to support gut health, 2024 is the year that fermented skincare will have its moment in the spotlight. But do you know your prebiotic from your postbiotic?
Think of prebiotics as nourishment for your existing good bacteria, while probiotics are the live ‘friendly’ bacteria and postbiotics are the by-products secreted by the live bacteria.
Check out our round-up of the best prebiotic and postbiotic skincare favourites from Green People Organic.
PREBIOTICS – Inulin derived from Chicory Root
All skin types have a microbiome in their epidermis (the upper layer of skin) and this layer hosts a mix of good, bad and neutral microorganisms. When the skin microbiome is balanced, it protects in return for nourishment. However, when it is damaged, bad bacteria can prosper, causing the good bacteria to lose space and food. This imbalance makes the microbiome less effective at providing skin barrier protection, leaving the skin vulnerable to water loss and the damaging effects of bacteria, such as acne. That’s where prebiotic skincare comes in. Prebiotic ingredients are designed to balance your microbiome, resulting in naturally, healthier skin. Green People’s chosen prebiotic? Inulin, sourced from chicory. Its main benefits include;
- Promoting a healthy, balanced microbiome
- Supporting the skin barrier for improved skin hydration
- Helping to prevent spots and inflammation.
Shop the trend:
Cleanse:
Foaming Face Wash – £18.50 (100ml) purifies and tones and clears skin using prebiotics to control spots naturally. Certified organic by SA Cosmos, this soothing foaming face wash uses antioxidant Green Tea and Prebiotics to support and balance the microbiome and help protect against spots.
Moisturise:
Scent Free Day Moisturiser – £26.00 (50ml) is a must for combination skin; hydrating, calming and scent-free. Think of this as ‘feng shui’ for your skin, because it’s the perfect blend of skin-balancing natural actives, including Prebiotics. Just the thing for when skin is a little out of balance. Shea butter, polysaccharides and White Willow Bark Extract help to hydrate and soften.
Protect:
Scent Free Facial SPF15 Sun Cream – £27.50 (50ml)
Protect your skin every day with this fragrance free SPF15 facial sun cream. Non greasy, non-comedogenic and non-whitening, this facial sun cream is brimming with soothing, protecting Prebiotics. Derived from Chicory, these help to keep your skin microbiome in balance – perfect for sensitive skin.
POSTBIOTICS – Bacillus Ferment
A futuristic example of science and nature in balance, postbiotic skincare formulas use ingredients fermented by microorganisms. The fermentation process reduces their molecular size and makes it easier to absorb into the skin. Green People have sung the praises of fermented skin care for many years, in particular, ‘Bacillus Ferment’ a COSMOS-approved postbiotic. This marine active is obtained from the Spanish river ‘Mars on Earth’, known for its extreme conditions.
So what can fermented ingredients do for our skin? Recent studies have shown that Bacillus Ferment can;
· Increase moisturisation by 26% in 1 hour
· Enhanced firmness and elasticity
· Support skin barrier reinforcement
· Reduce redness after 8 hours
· Increase radiance by 47% in 28 days
Shop the trend:
Restore:
Nourish your microbiome at night with Fruitful Nights Night Cream – £25.50 (50ml). A great choice for all skin types, this certified organic night cream blends Inulin prebiotics with Bacillus Ferment, a fermented, postbiotic beauty ingredient that’s known to reinforce the skin barrier. Working in synergy, these strengthen the skin barrier so that the skin is less vulnerable to damage and dehydration. Use nightly and you’ll wake to wonderfully soft skin that shows off a good sleep glow.
Plump:
Target fine lines, puffiness and wrinkles naturally with the Firming Eye Serum – £19.50 (10ml).Certified organic, its formulated with Bacillus Ferment Postbiotics which help to plump up skin hydration and have been shown to increase hydration by 26% in just 1 hour.
Hydrate:
Hydrating Firming Serum – £27.00 (50ml)is a go-to for all-round glow and goodness. Certified organic, this contains Bacillus Ferment, a postbiotic skin plumper that delivers hydration, firmness and radiance. It also contains Inulin, a prebiotic from Chicory Root, to support your skin’s friendly flora for beautifully balanced skin.
All products are available at www.greenpeople.co.uk