Skin flora: how to look after your skin microbiome

Sponsored by Inlight Beauty

Learn how to take care of your skin flora with these microbiome boosting tips from the experts at Inlight Beauty.

There are many factors – both external and internal – that contribute to the look and feel of your skin, with your gut health and skin flora being two major ones. The microscopic worlds and ecosystems that exist in and on your body are defined as microbiomes.

You can include certain foods and practices in your everyday routine to keep your microbiome happy – these include eating fibre-rich whole grains, fruits, veggies, and legumes, as well as consuming probiotics, the friendly bacteria that help with digestion and immune support. You can find these in yoghurts, kefir, kombucha, and other fermented goodies such as kimchi.  

Looking after your skin flora

Did you know that skin, the body’s biggest organ, is home to more than 1,000 species of skin flora?

Keeping a healthy skin flora or microbiome can help prevent harmful microorganisms from entering the body and aid your immune defences.

However, harsh synthetics found in cosmetics, UV damage, pollutants in the air, and exfoliants can all contribute to disrupting and damaging your skin microbiome, which can result in inflammation, dryness, premature ageing, spots, and blemishes.

Go beyond surface-level skincare with Inlight Beauty

Inlight Beauty products have been formulated by skin expert and medical herbalist Dr Mariano Spiezia to nourish, restore, and balance. Each 100% organic ingredient found in the waterless collections has been carefully selected to work deeply with the skin, rather than just sitting on the surface, and each formula is designed to keep your natural armour (AKA, your skin flora) happier, for long-lasting radiance.

Over 50 botanicals are infused in Inlight Beauty’s in-house herbal bases, chosen for their well-renowned properties — including high concentrations of natural retinol, vitamin E, and essential fatty acids.

You’ll find cold-pressed, organic oils such as jojoba oil as a key base of most of the Inlight Beauty ranges – why? This skin loving oil has been used for centuries because it mimics the skin’s own sebum. It is known for helping to restore and balance the skin’s microbiome, encouraging healthy bacteria to thrive while providing great hydration. Free from synthetics, water, and preservatives, Inlight Beauty is suitable for all skin types, including problem prone skin.

Inlight Beauty’s top picks for a happy skin microbiome

Inlight Face Oil

Light but highly moisturising, this face oil will nourish and hydrate skin all day long. Calming and regenerating lavender, astringent rose bud extract and skin-loving Jojoba, will make Inlight Face Oil a precious treat that protects skin from the damage caused by everyday environmental pollutants. Only a few drops are needed per application – a little goes a very long way.

Inlight Body Butter 

This luxurious balm features a high concentration of vitamin E from evening primrose, jojoba, sesame oil, beta carotene from carrot oil, and well-known rejuvenating trans retinoic acid – an isomer of vitamin A – from rosehip oil. The super-concentrated formula is a glorious pampering treatment for the whole body.

Inlight Floral Tonic

Extremely gentle to even the most sensitive skin, this super emollient floral tonic has been formulated to balance the skin’s PH. The alcohol-free fusion is truly uplifting and includes astringent flower extracts to tone and refresh. With calming camomile and damask rose, it’s rich in vitamins A, C, and E for perfect pampering and natural anti-ageing.

Top tip: get your giggle on! Laughter truly is the best medicine. When you laugh, you release endorphins, which are happy hormones. These little mood-boosters can positively affect your microbiomes, too! So, laugh more and leave your laughter lines to Inlight!

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