Unlocking the Secrets of Microbiome-Friendly Skincare

If there is one thing about Skin Actives, it is that we have always prioritized the importance of giving our customers effective and reliable products, whether they are trendy or not. While the skincare industry catches up to the new trends of microbiome friendly skincare, we have been on that wave since 2005. But what exactly is the skin microbiome, and why does it matter?

Understanding the Skin Microbiome

In the past, we only focused on one type of bacteria in our skin - the kind that causes acne. However, this narrow focus led to overkill, with skincare products aiming to obliterate all bacteria, both good and bad. This aggressive approach often resulted in overly sensitive skin and a damaged skin barrier. Now, with the rise of probiotics for gut health, skincare quickly followed suit by introducing "prebiotics."

Our founder, Dr. Hannah Sivak, explains that our skin, like our intestines, hosts an ecosystem called the skin microbiome, teeming with trillions of microbes. These microbes influence everything from acne to eczema and even our natural scent. The skin’s microbiome does in fact exist and requires care. Although it can maintain itself, there are some exceptions with products that can help aid in the protection and preservation of your skin’s microbiome. Proper skincare should aim to maintain a healthy microbiome rather than obliterate it, as we have seen in the past. 

How Skin Actives Supports Your Skin Microbiome

We've never believed in using ingredients that annihilate everything, like benzoyl peroxide. Instead, we create cleansers that respect your skin's pH and avoid pushing it to extremes. Our approach is to gently discourage harmful bacteria while supporting the skin's natural balance.

Due to regulatory constraints, we can't sell products with live bacteria. Instead, we use prebiotics—compounds that inhibit the growth of bad bacteria and fungi. Our formulations contain bioferments, plant extracts, and pure chemicals that discourage acne bacteria and promote healthy skin.

Here are some products from Skin Actives that contain our bioferments to help promote happy and healthy skin:

• Sea Kelp Coral: Serves as a versatile skincare solution, moisturizes the skin, reduces redness and irritation, and offers calming benefits against inflammation.
• Nourishing Hair Mask: A multifunctional treatment that offers a solution for stronger, softer hair with added body, bounce, and shine while nourishing both the scalp and strands, whether used as a leave-in conditioner, deep conditioner, or styling gel.
• Collagen Serum with ROS BioNet and Apocynin: An enhanced anti-aging serum formulated to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and improve skin tone and texture, combat oxidative stress, promote collagen synthesis, and provide nourishment for skin health and vitality.
• Hyaluronic Acid Serum: A lightweight moisturizing serum that effectively alleviates dry skin while supporting collagen synthesis for improved skin hydration and elasticity.

Skin Actives' Sea Kelp Bioferment is derived from kelp and provides rich nutrients including fucoidan, carrageenan, and essential minerals like iodine and magnesium, deeply moisturizing the skin and scalp while supporting enzymatic reactions crucial for lipid metabolism and energy conversion.

Skin Actives' Kefir Bioferment provides a nutrient-rich blend including fucoidan and essential minerals, supporting skin and scalp health through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, barrier repair, and moisturizing properties. Utilizing a unique blend of microorganisms found in kefir, it enhances bioavailability and calms redness and irritation, promoting a healthy microbiome.

The Microbiome's Diversity and Impact

Your skin microbiome hosts a vast array of organisms crucial for its health. Genetics, age, and environmental factors influence this microbiome, impacting skin conditions. Aging skin sustains a different microbiome than youthful skin, highlighting the importance of tailored skincare.

While our understanding of the skin microbiome evolves, Skin Actives remains committed to gentle, effective skincare. We believe in nurturing your skin's natural balance, promoting health from within. So, embrace your skin's microbiome and treat it kindly—it'll thank you for it.