What's the Difference Between Probiotics, Prebiotics and Postbiotics?
What's the Difference Between Probiotics, Prebiotics and Postbiotics?
If you’re looking for a definitive guide to probiotic definitions that are easily digestible (no pun intended), look no further. We will break down the lingo surrounding the microbiome so it’s not a topic only reserved for the doctors in the room.
What Is a Probiotic?
A probiotic literally means the living bacteria already residing on skin. As creepy crawly as it may sound, we host trillions of microorganisms that play a crucial role in our skin health. These beneficial bacteria act as a protective army, protecting the skin from UV damage while releasing essential compounds such as:
- Lactic acid: Reduces skin pH to deter harmful pathogens while promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria.
- Antimicrobial peptides: Boost the skin’s immunity and response to harmful organisms.
- Short-chain fatty acids: Nourish good microbes and facilitate the absorption of water and electrolytes.
- Ceramides: Maintain the structural integrity of the skin barrier and keep the skin hydrated.
- Hyaluronic acid: Improves moisturization and barrier function.
- Spheromyelinase: Stimulates the production of ceramides.
- Lipoteichoic acid: Helps reduce oxidative damage and the effects of photoaging.
Feeding the probiotics residing on skin through targeted skincare can lead to significant improvements in your skin’s resilience and overall appearance. The benefits of a probiotic ecosystem go beyond just surface-level effects; they enhance your skin’s function and overall health. By understanding how probiotics help skin, you can effectively target specific skin concerns and achieve better results.
What is a Prebiotic?
A prebiotic is just a fancy word for food; It’s the nutrition source that bacteria need to thrive and survive. Prebiotics for skin are essential for maintaining a balanced microbiome. Sebum is the primary source of energy for skin bacteria because it is made up of a variety of fat molecules including triglycerides, fatty acids, wax esters, squalene, cholesterol esters, and cholesterol. Sweat is also a food source because it contains peptides and free fatty acids.
What is a Postbiotic?
After living bacteria (probiotics) have eaten their food source (prebiotics) they produce a by-product called a postbiotic. This is the true skincare gold as postbiotics for skin contain:
- Vitamins
- Short-chain fatty acids
- Organic acids
- Enzymes that break down fats in skin cells into ceramides
- Peptides
- Polysaccharides
- Cell surface proteins
The nutrients derived from postbiotics are scientifically proven to protect the microbiome, facilitate skin healing and regeneration, and slow down the aging process.
Additional Benefits of Postbiotics for Skin
These nutrients offer a myriad of advantages, including:
- Protection for the microbiome
- Skin regeneration
- Slowed aging process
- Brightening of the complexion
- Reduction in pore size
- Evening out of pigmentation
- Healing of skin disruptions
- Hydration enhancement
- Added vibrancy and luminosity
Editrix Functional Skincare With Prebiotics and Postbiotics
Our products are formulated with postbiotics from multiple strains of beneficial bacteria and prebiotics in the form of olive squalene, which mimics human skin sebum.
