Years of Yakult commercials have taught us that there is a difference between good bacteria and bad bacteria. Probiotics – “good” bacteria – helps keep the gut healthy but did you know they can be used on the skin as well?

There is an invisible ecosystem of microorganisms known as microbiome living on our skin and these good bacteria make up part of it. The balance of good and bad bacteria plays a role in how our skin reacts to external aggressors as well as how healthy the skin barrier is. When this balance is disrupted, it could lead to a host of skin problems like inflammation, acne, allergies and eczema.

To keep this microbiome colony in harmony, it’s important that you exclude skincare that contains ingredients; using products that contains probiotics, can help strengthen and balance the microbiome of your skin. Even if your skin doesn’t suffer from any problems, probiotic skincare can help reduce water loss and promote healthy skin.

Maintaining the microbiome of your skin

Besides not using products with harsh ingredients, you shouldn’t over cleanse your skin too. As the skin is naturally acidic, over-washing with a cleanser (that’s usually alkaline) will throw the skin’s pH levels off balance. Avoid the use of cleansers that have the label “anti-bacterial” as they will get rid of all bacteria–good or bad. Additionally, products containing alcohol will also end up killing off bacteria and drying the skin out.

 This article first appeared in Harper’s Bazaar Singapore.