Prebiotics
Prebiotics in skin care involve substances or ingredients that can selectively nourish and support the growth of beneficial microbes. When applied topically, prebiotics act as food or fuel for the beneficial bacteria to help stimulate their growth and activity. They are typically non-digestible fibers, such as fructooligosaccharides (FOS), inulin, or galactooligosaccharides (GOS). It's important to note that prebiotic skincare is not about introducing live bacteria to the skin, as is the case with probiotics. Instead, it focuses on supporting the existing beneficial bacteria on the skin's surface and acting as a nutrition/food source for the probiotic.
Postbiotic
Postbiotics are the by-products or metabolites produced by beneficial microbes, not live microbes themselves. Postbiotics can be a range of things like peptides, enzymes, organic acids, and antimicrobial compounds depending on what probiotic was used and what was collected for use.
Skin Microbiome
The skin’s microbiome can be thought of as a complex ecosystem. It entails a diverse community of microorganisms inhabiting the skin's surface, playing a vital role in maintaining overall skin health. A strong and balanced microbiome is crucial for skin health, as our skin exists in partnership with its resident microbial community. The skin microbiome varies from person to person based on factors like sex, age, body location, antimicrobial agents, and immune function.