The skin, and especially if it is fragile or sensitive, is easily a victim of lack of comfort, dryness, pimples, wrinkles, redness, eczema, premature aging … However, the latest research points to the "good" bacteria that inhabit so much in our skin as well as in the intestine to protect it inside, with an adequate diet, and outside, with adequate cosmetics.

What alters the balance of the skin

Stress, pollution, and poor eating, among other factors, cause hidden chronic inflammation. These factors affect the proteins of the body (with phenomena of glycation, oxidation, etc.) and damage them. And they also modify the organism's microbiota.

What effects do they cause? By unbalancing the functioning of the body, degenerative or aging processes are accelerated.

Consequences? Many and bad. If we talk about the skin: acne, eczema, atopia, hair loss. But it can also increase the risk of cancer, for example.

Bacteria that protect the skin "from within"

The intestinal microbiota, that is, the bacteria that inhabit our intestines, decisively influence our skin. It is one of its main defenses and acts "from within", allying itself with the immune system to avoid dermatological problems such as dryness, redness, pimples, itching, and even premature aging.

A proper diet that favors the "good" bacteria in the intestine and prevents inflammation processes helps keep these problems at bay and makes the skin look healthy and luminous.

How to nourish the intestinal flora. To reinforce the good bacteria (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacillus) of the digestive system, include in your diet:

Probiotic foods. They are fermented, such as yogurt, sauerkraut, vegetable pickles, miso, kefir, kombutcha tea … They are very rich in live microorganisms (probiotics) and when ingested they colonize the intestine, stabilize its flora and prevent the activity of harmful microorganisms.

Prebiotic foods. Like artichoke, garlic, onion, asparagus and leek. Prebiotics serve as a nutrient for the beneficial bacteria in the gut.

What you should not eat

• Fast sugars. No sweets, precooked, industrial pastries …
• Pro-inflammatory foods. Caffeine, alcohol, gluten (in people with intolerance to this protein) or delicatessen.
• What about dairy? They can cause an inflammatory effect in people suffering from acne or atopic dermatitis. In these cases, substitute them for vegetable drinks.

The cosmetics that cares for the skin "from the outside"

As in the intestine, on the surface of the skin there are also bacteria that create a protective barrier. This skin microbiota can be altered depending on what soaps or creams you use, and depending on how exposed you are to pollution, the sun, etc.

Prebiotic treatments. Cosmetics can modify the composition of the skin's microbiota. In fact, treatment lines for intolerant skin have appeared, for example, that include prebiotics that feed beneficial skin bacteria and deprive excess bacteria of nutrients.

Biomimetic formulas. They are creams, gels, micellar waters … whose components are similar to those of our skin or have an identical biological function. Among the biomimetic active ingredients are ceramides, squalane, omega 3 fatty acids (present in avocado, borage, calendula and evening primrose oil, among others), vitamin E, glycerin, urea or hyaluronic acid.

100% compatible. This makes them perfectly absorbed and compatible with all skin types, even the most fragile and sensitive.

Cosmetics without. These creams, which have formulas with the minimum possible ingredients and do not contain perfumes, dyes or parabens or many preservatives, are ideal when the skin is very sensitive or intolerant. This reduces the risk that any of the active ingredients react with the skin and irritate it even more.

New research to boost skin immunity

Probiotics in thermal water. La Roche Posay scientists have found that introducing a bacterium into the firm's thermal water restores the long-term balance of the skin's microbiota.

Prebiotics as an active principle. They are being included in creams for acne and dermatitis, anti-dandruff shampoos, cleansers, deodorants … The objective is to fight bad bacteria and promote the growth of good ones.

Activate Langerhans cells. These cells, responsible for the immunity of the skin, are reduced with age. Some cosmetics, such as those of the Shiseido brand, incorporate a complex that improves their performance.

Also, in this article you can find frequent habits that can damage the biota of your skin without you noticing.