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Your skin has its very own microbiome.

Being home to trillions of microorganisms living, crawling, snacking, and metabolising in and on our skin is not a charming thought, but they are, at the end of the day, vital to our skin’s health.

This bacteria is really there to fight infections, thwart environmental damage, boost immunity, regulate pH levels, and keep skin plump and dewy.

It’s no wonder the skincare industry works day and night to make your morning and evening lotions and potions microbe-friendly.

Skin conditions, from breakouts, eczema, and rosacea to psoriasis, could very well be caused by something in your skincare regime that is stripping your skin of its healthy bacteria.

Simply put, if your skin is looking stressed, its natural bacteria ecosystem is probably off balance.

Cue the magic work of probiotics.

By that, we don’t mean slathering your face in Greek yoghurt. Although if you feel the urge, no judgement.

Rather, we are talking about specially designed probiotic skincare products that not only protect but also promote beneficial bacteria.

Recent studies have shown that probiotics go a long way to restoring acne-prone skin to its acne-free glory by keeping acne-causing bacteria levels where they should be. Probiotic-based products can also reduce inflammation and combat the signs of premature ageing.

The idea is really trending right now, which is why professional skin aestheticians advise being a little discerning before jumping on the bandwagon.

You can chat with one of the Skin Renewal therapists the next time you pop into one of the 18 branches to find out how you can make the probiotic skincare trend work for you.

In the meantime, here are some bacteria-friendly tips for your next skincare session:

• Scrub less, nourish more. Use a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser daily – morning and night – and exfoliate twice a week, or only when you feel your skin needs it.
• You trust your gut; now take care of it. Think gut-friendly, fermented foods and beverages like kombucha, miso, kefir, yoghurt, and sauerkraut, and consider an oral probiotic supplement to ensure you’re feeding your skin from the inside out.
• Fibre is your skin’s BFF. Oats, barley, asparagus, leeks, and other plant-based, fibre-rich foods are a fantastic source of prebiotics – giving the good bacteria in your gut the boost it needs.

You’ll have to fight the urge to scrub with antibacterial soaps and gels until your skin is “clean” or germ-free, because the truth is, healthy skin needs some germs.

The good ones, at least.