The Benefits Of Using Probiotic Body Wash

There's almost always something to try out in body care, some product everyone's raving and writing reviews about but you are yet to try. Whether it's dry brushing or a new strawberry-scented exfoliating scrub, we can guarantee you'll always find something new, and most times, something you had no idea you needed in your routine. Today's in-product is probiotic body wash, a type of body wash that's taking attention away from "squeaky clean" skin to a healthy and thriving skin microbiome.

On your skin is a symbiotic flora of thousands of bacteria with different helpful functions. Of course, we know the name bacteria already has a bad rep. Still, bacteria are present in several species and classes inside and outside your body, some of which are beneficial to your gut health, vaginal health, and even your skin. Probiotics, according to Aveeno, are live microorganisms that have health benefits when applied to your skin or taken into your body. Probiotics, together with prebiotics which Coco & Eve defines as plant fibers or nutrients that serve as food for healthy bacteria, maintain the balance between beneficial bacteria and harmful disease-causing bacteria, leading to a healthier skin flora.

We know you might be new to probiotics, and we're here to help. Here are some benefits of incorporating probiotic body wash into your body care routine.

On the outermost layer of your skin lies your moisture barrier, a thin layer of cells tightly joined in brick-and-mortar-like fashion to protect the skin from environmental aggressors like pollution, UV rays, and, as concerned us right now, bacteria (per Renée Rouleau). Probiotics in your skincare, including a handy probiotic body wash, help improve your skin's moisture barrier function. Probiotic body washes do this by encouraging the growth of healthy bacteria, which Healthline explains secrete ceramides that naturally improve the moisture barrier's ability to retain moisture.

According to SkinKraft Laboratories, probiotic body washes also improve the moisture barrier and hydrate the skin by producing three kinds of chemicals: Antimicrobial peptides, which kill off the harmful bacteria; lysates which protect the skin; and chemicals which keep the skin hydrated. By keeping the skin hydrated and your moisture barrier healthy, your probiotic body wash promises lush, plump skin that can protect you from infections caused by harmful bacteria.

Just like the bacteria in your gut help you digest food better, the good bacteria that make up your skin's microbiome are necessary for keeping bad bacteria at bay. The thing with harmful microorganisms is they not only cause infections when they successfully breach your skin barrier in the case of wounds, but they can also aggravate the skin's surface. Unhealthy bacteria on the skin feed on sweat, oils, and sebum on your skin's surface, further irritating the skin and worsening skin concerns like body acne, rosacea, eczema, and dermatitis in some cases. An example, as DermNet explains, is C. acnes which can trigger the release of inflammatory mediators, thereby promoting inflammation. 

Using a probiotic body wash will help avoid this by allowing the good bacteria in your skin's flora to outnumber the bad ones. Aside from being anti-inflammatory, probiotic body washes also soothe any redness and itching that may arise from inflammation on your skin.

You have probably been told to pay attention to your body's pH more times than you care to count. Well, here's one more reason to pay attention to it: Your skin's pH is a significant factor in how much your skin barrier can protect you. According to Eucerin, when your moisture barrier becomes compromised, it cannot synthesize essential ceramides needed to keep skin hydrated and resilient because its pH rises beyond the normal range. Your skin's pH can increase due to several factors like pollution, detergents, and antibacterial soaps (per Healthline). 

Luckily, probiotic body washes contain beneficial bacteria that can help balance the pH of your skin's surface (per Paula's Choice). By balancing your skin's pH using a probiotic body wash, you can keep inflammation at bay, improve your skin barrier's function, and avoid or manage skin conditions worsened by a damaged barrier like rosacea and atopic dermatitis.

Probiotics have long been known for their positive effects on the gut, but did you know that they can also help with anti-aging in your skincare? According to Organic Skincare, probiotics in skincare have been found to aid the production of collagen, an essential structural protein in the skin. As we age, our collagen production drops, leading to looser skin and signs of aging (per Vibrance Med Spa). 

Probiotic body washes improve your skin's elasticity and collagen production by keeping the moisture barrier healthy and balancing the skin's pH. Using a probiotic body wash can also reduce inflammation on the skin, thereby protecting the moisture barrier and preventing premature aging — an excellent choice for those looking to keep their skin plump, young, and healthy. In addition to using probiotic-infused products such as body wash, consuming probiotic-rich foods provides additional anti-aging benefits and keeps wrinkles at bay.

Probiotics, together with prebiotics and postbiotics (which, as MZ Skin describes, are non-living metabolic by-products of probiotics), are great for all skin types. Due to their microbiome-balancing action, you can incorporate a probiotic body wash into your body care routine whether you have oily skin, dry skin, or acne-prone skin (per Pure & Cimple).

Now that you know the benefits, we bet you can't wait to add this to your routine. Our top picks are the Iota Supervitamin Body Wash + Brightening, which retails for $23, and the Tula Take Car e + Polish Revitalize & Cleanse Body Exfoliator, which does the 2-in-1 job of cleansing and exfoliating while boasting 4.7 stars at Ulta. Using a probiotic body wash keeps your skin healthy and clean, maintains your skin's natural balance of bacteria and pH, and is excellent for all skin types. What's not to love?