The Use of Prebiotic Probiotic in Cosmetic Products and the Concept of Microbiome
Today, there is a rapidly rising and at the same time remarkable new trend; Prebiotics and probiotics. Among the cosmetic products we have seen on the shelves recently, products that containing prebiotics and probiotics continue to be added and offered for use rapidly.
So what are these prebiotics and probiotics? Did you know that there are millions of creatures living with us in our bodies? This community of microorganisms, called the microbiota, consists of approximately 100 trillion bacteria and constitutes 2-3% of our body weight [1].
The community of these creatures is called the microbiome. Nobel Prize winner Loshua Lederberg defined the word microbiome as “the ecological community of commensal, symbiotic and pathogenic microorganisms that share our body space” [2].
The microbiome is a natural part of the body and everyone’s microbiome is unique like a fingerprint, everyone has different microbial creatures, even twins have different microbiomes [3]. It is not easy to keep this microbiome in balance and to maintain
its health, but there are microorganisms that work for this purpose and these microorganisms are called probiotics.
Contrary to what is thought, probiotics have numerous benefits not only for the intestinal flora, but also for our entire body and even for our skin, and for this reason, they have been used quite extensively in the cosmetic sector. Probiotics are also known to nourish,
moisturize and balance the skin [4].
Prebiotics, are known as the nutrients of probiotics, known as beneficial bacteria. These are short-chain carbohydrates that are resistant to gastric digestion. These rebiotics, which are used in cosmetic products, help to protect and maintain their activity by feeding the probiotics on the skin. In addition to these concepts we talked about, there is also the concept of postbiotics that we frequently encounter.
Postbiotics, on the other hand, is a newer term used to describe metabolites and/or cell wall components from Probiotic cultures that selectively affect the microbiome for healthier
outcomes. For this reason, most of the microbial ferment lysates and extracts used in cosmetic products containing probiotics can be considered as Postbiotics [5].
As you can see, prebiotics and probiotics have multiple effects on the skin and body. Especially in the cosmetics sector, the use of prebiotic and postbiotic products, which
we see on the shelves, is becoming widespread. Products using these ingredients must
be carefully developed, produced and placed on the market.
References
[1]. https://synevo.com.tr/tr/Mikrobiyota-Mikrobiyom-Nedir
[2]. https://www.enbiosis.com.tr/mikrobiyom-ve-mikrobiyota-nedir/
[3]. https://www.enterogermina.com.tr/probiyotik/probiyotikler-ve-mikrobiyomlar
[4]. https://thebeautychef.com/blogs/blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-probiotic-skincare
[5]. https://thesecretlifeofskin.com/2019/04/29/formulating-skin-care-products-with-prebiotics-probiotics-and-postbiotics/
Görsel Kaynak / Visual Reference
https://www.freepik.com/premium-vector/set-probiotic-bacteria-circle_8406538.htm
Esra Duygu Aracıer Balıkçı
Personal Wash R&D Project Manager
Evyap Sabun Yağ Gliserin A.Ş.
Dr. Aslı Özge Avcı Tuna
Personal Wash R&D Category Manager
Evyap Sabun Yağ Gliserin A.Ş.
