Probiotics - Beneficial Bacteria
The Science
L. plantarum
L. plantarum is a supercharged probiotic known for its role in improving skin health and beauty by promoting a balanced microbiome and reducing inflammation – it all starts in the core. With aging, an overproduction of melanin can occur, leading to hyperpigmentation of the skin (hey sun spots!) In vitro studies have demonstrated L. plantarum produces Lipoteichoic acid (LTA), which helps regulate the melanin signaling. Further, this powerful ingredient can also restore collagen production, which can be reduced due to UV exposure and induced Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP) expression. The science is big and so are the benefits:
1. Improves Skin Barrier Function and Hydration
- Strengthens the Skin Barrier: L. plantarum helps boost ceramide production, improving the skin’s ability to retain moisture and preventing transepidermal water loss.
- Soothes Dryness: It enhances hydration, making the skin appear plumper and more radiant.
2. Helps reduce Acne and Blemishes
- Controls Breakouts: L. plantarum reduces inflammation and regulates sebum production, which helps minimize acne and clogged pores.
- Balances the Skin Microbiome: By keeping the microbiome in balance, it prevents the overgrowth of harmful bacteria like Propionibacterium acnes, which can cause breakouts.
3. Fights Skin Inflammation and Redness
- Helps Calm Eczema and Rosacea: L. plantarum has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe conditions like eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis.
- Reduces Redness: It helps mitigate redness and irritation, making it ideal for sensitive or reactive skin types.
4. Promotes Anti-Aging Benefits
- Helps Reduce Wrinkles: By combating oxidative stress and promoting collagen production, L. plantarum helps improve skin elasticity, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Brightens the Skin: It also neutralizes free radicals that contribute to dullness, resulting in a healthier, more vibrant complexion.
5. Protects Against Environmental Stressors
- Boosts Skin Immunity: L. plantarum strengthens the skin’s natural defenses against pollution and UV radiation, reducing damage.
- Prevents Photoaging: It can help repair skin exposed to sun damage, slowing down signs of premature aging like hyperpigmentation and fine lines.
6. Improves Scalp Health and Hair Growth
- Prevents Dandruff: By balancing the scalp microbiome, L. plantarum can reduce issues like dandruff and itchiness.
- Strengthens Hair Follicles: Improved nutrient absorption and reduced scalp inflammation support healthier, thicker hair growth.
7. Enhances Mood and Reduces Stress-Related Skin Issues
- Gut-Brain-Skin Connection: L. plantarum plays a role in the gut-brain axis, reducing stress and anxiety, which can prevent stress-induced flare-ups and breakouts.
- Improves Sleep Quality: A healthier gut supports better sleep, which promotes a more refreshed and glowing complexion.
B. animalis
If you’re curious about how Bifidobacterium animalis (B. animalis) benefits you, think of it like a helpful roommate for your digestive system. It’s a type of “good” bacteria that lives in your gut, working behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly. Just like eating a balanced diet or getting enough sleep, having the right balance of good bacteria can positively impact your overall health. Read on:
1) Strengthens Immunity
- Fewer Colds and Flu: Regular use of B. animalis has been linked to fewer sick days and shorter illnesses, especially in kids and young adults.
- Better Immune Response: It boosts your body’s defenses by increasing antibodies and enhancing the effectiveness of vaccines.
2) Balances the Gut Microbiome
- Encourages the growth of good bacteria while keeping harmful ones in check, supporting better digestion and overall health.
3) Helps with Weight and Cholesterol Control
- May reduce BMI and cholesterol levels in people with metabolic issues, helping them manage weight better.
4) Reduces Inflammation
- Helps soothe gut inflammation and discomfort, making it potentially useful for conditions like colitis or chronic stomach issues.
5) Supports Digestive Health
- Eases Constipation: Eating foods or supplements with B. animalis helps improve how often you go to the bathroom and makes stools easier to pass.
- Helps with IBS Symptoms: If you suffer from bloating, stomach discomfort, or irregular bowel movements (common in IBS), this probiotic can help you feel better.
L. helveticus
Lactobacillus helveticus (L. helveticus) is a hard working, good-for-you bacterium that plays a key role in making delicious fermented dairy products. If you’ve ever enjoyed Swiss cheeses like Emmental, you’ve already tasted the results of its efforts! This helpful bacteria doesn’t just give food a unique flavor and texture—it also supports your health in surprising ways:
1. Improves Digestion
- Helps relieve occasional stomach discomfort and promotes regular bowel movements.
2. Fights Harmful Microorganisms
- Protects the gut by fighting off harmful bacteria like E. coli and Listeria, and yeast such as Candida albicans (which can cause infections).
3. Boosts Immune Health
- Supports your immune system by competing with bad bacteria and keeping your gut healthy—important since much of your immune system resides in your gut.
4. Reduces Inflammation
- Lowers inflammation in the gut and increases antioxidants like glutathione, which help protect cells.
5. Supports Vaginal Health
- Helps prevent Candida yeast from overgrowing, helping reduce the risk of vaginal infections.
L. rhamnosus
Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L. Rhamnosus) is a superstar probiotic known not only for keeping your gut happy but also for giving your beauty routine a boost. It’s like a behind-the-scenes wellness hero, working from the inside to help you look and feel your best. Since there’s a strong connection between gut health and skin appearance, keeping your gut in balance can lead to clearer, more radiant skin and an overall glow. Read on:
1. Improves Skin Health and Clarity
- Balances the Gut-Skin Axis: A healthy gut can reduce systemic inflammation, which is often linked to conditions like acne, eczema, and rosacea.
- Helps Reduce Acne: Studies suggest that L. rhamnosus helps reduce sebum production, which can lower the occurrence of clogged pores and breakouts.
- Calms Skin Irritation: Its anti-inflammatory properties can soothe skin redness and inflammation, making it ideal for people with sensitive or reactive skin.
2. Enhances Skin Hydration and Barrier Function
- Increases Ceramide Production: L. rhamnosus can support the skin barrier by promoting the production of ceramides, which help retain moisture and prevent dryness.
- Protects Against Environmental Stressors: It enhances the skin’s natural defense mechanism, reducing the impact of UV radiation and pollution.
3. Supports a Youthful Appearance
- Boosts Collagen Production: By reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, L. rhamnosus indirectly promotes collagen synthesis, helping to maintain skin elasticity and reduce fine lines.
- Antioxidant Benefits: It can lower free radical damage that contributes to aging signs like wrinkles and dullness.
4. Reduces Stress-Related Skin Issues
- Mitigates Cortisol Spikes: L. rhamnosus is known to help regulate the gut-brain axis by reducing cortisol (the stress hormone), which plays a role in stress-related breakouts or flare-ups.
- Improves Sleep Quality: Better gut health can improve sleep, which is essential for healthy, glowing skin.
6. Strengthens Hair and Nails
- Nutrient Absorption: L. rhamnosus aids digestion and nutrient absorption, ensuring vitamins like biotin and B12—critical for hair and nail health—are properly utilized.
Fermented Vitamins + Other Ingredients
The Science
Fermented Vitamins
Fermented vitamins are like a supercharged version of your daily nutrients. They combine essential vitamins with probiotics, enzymes, and beneficial bacteria through a natural fermentation process. This makes the vitamins more powerful, easier for your body to absorb, and much gentler on your digestive system. Think of it as giving your body a head start—since the nutrients are already partially broken down, your system can use them more efficiently. As a result, fermented vitamins can boost your beauty routine by promoting healthier skin, stronger hair, and tougher nails. Let’s take a closer look at how these next-level vitamins work to enhance your natural glow:
1. Enhanced Nutrient Absorption for Radiant Skin
- Higher Bioavailability: Fermentation breaks down vitamins into forms that the body can absorb more easily, ensuring better delivery of nutrients like Vitamin C, E, and B-complex, all essential for healthy, glowing skin.
- Gentle on the Stomach: Fermented vitamins are easier on digestion, which supports the gut-skin axis—a healthier gut leads to clearer, healthier skin.
2. Reduces Skin Inflammation and Sensitivity
- Calms Redness and Acne: Vitamins like fermented Vitamin C and D have anti-inflammatory properties that soothe skin conditions like acne, rosacea, and eczema.
- Boosts Immune Defense: Fermented nutrients help strengthen the skin’s natural barrier and defenses against environmental stressors, including pollution and UV damage.
3. Promotes Youthful, Firm Skin
- Increases Collagen Production: Fermented Vitamin C is known to enhance collagen synthesis, reducing wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin.
- Antioxidant Power: Vitamins A, C, and E in their fermented forms fight oxidative stress, slowing the aging process and brightening the skin.
4. Hydrates and Strengthens the Skin Barrier
- Supports Ceramide Production: Fermented Vitamin B3 (niacinamide) helps strengthen the skin barrier by boosting ceramides, locking in moisture and preventing dryness.
- Reduces Transepidermal Water Loss: Fermented ingredients maintain optimal hydration levels, ensuring the skin remains soft, supple, and plump.
5. Encourages Healthy Hair and Nail Growth
- Nutrient-Rich Scalp: Fermented B-complex vitamins (like B7 or biotin) nourish hair follicles and prevent hair thinning or dandruff.
- Stronger Nails: Fermented vitamins promote keratin production, improving nail strength and preventing brittleness.
6. Balances the Skin Microbiome
- Prebiotic and Probiotic Action: Fermented vitamins support a balanced skin microbiome, essential for reducing breakouts, inflammation, and excessive dryness.
- Soothes Sensitive Skin: The presence of probiotics makes fermented vitamins especially beneficial for those with sensitive or reactive skin, helping restore balance and reduce irritation.
7. Improves Mood and Sleep, Indirectly Benefiting Beauty
- Reduced Stress: Fermented B vitamins help regulate the nervous system and reduce cortisol, preventing stress-induced breakouts and premature aging.
Better Sleep: Fermented nutrients support restful sleep, which plays a crucial role in maintaining glowing skin and preventing dark circles and puffiness.
Vitamin C
We’re pretty sure you’re familiar with Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) – the OG beauty bestie. A powerful antioxidant, it plays a critical role in maintaining healthy, radiant skin and supports overall beauty through collagen synthesis, protection against environmental stress, and skin brightening. Read on because it does a lot:
1. Boosts Collagen Production for Youthful Skin
- Increases Collagen Synthesis: Vitamin C stimulates fibroblasts, which are responsible for producing collagen and elastin—proteins essential for firm, plump skin.
- Reduces Fine Lines and Wrinkles: By enhancing collagen levels, Vitamin C helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and maintains skin elasticity.
2. Brightens the Skin and Reduces Hyperpigmentation
- Fades Dark Spots: Vitamin C inhibits melanin production, which helps lighten hyperpigmentation, sunspots, and post-acne marks.
- Evens Out Skin Tone: It promotes a more uniform complexion by brightening dull areas, leaving the skin looking vibrant and radiant.
3. Protects Against UV Damage and Environmental Stress
- Neutralizes Free Radicals: As a potent antioxidant, Vitamin C fights oxidative stress caused by UV exposure, pollution, and environmental toxins.
- Prevents Photoaging: Although not a sunscreen, Vitamin C reduces the impact of sun exposure, helping prevent premature aging like fine lines and discoloration.
4. Soothes Inflammation and Reduces Redness
- Calms Sensitive Skin: Vitamin C’s anti-inflammatory properties help soothe irritation, making it beneficial for conditions like rosacea and acne-prone skin.
- Reduces Puffiness: By decreasing inflammation, Vitamin C can also help minimize under-eye bags and puffiness.
5. Accelerates Wound Healing and Reduces Scarring
- Promotes Skin Repair: Vitamin C supports tissue regeneration, which accelerates healing and improves the appearance of minor wounds and acne scars.
- Prevents Scarring: By regulating collagen production, it minimizes the formation of scar tissue.
6. Enhances Hydration and Helps Strengthen the Skin Barrier
- Locks in Moisture: Vitamin C helps the skin retain moisture by supporting the lipid barrier, reducing dryness and dehydration.
- Improves Barrier Function: A strong skin barrier protects against pollutants and irritants, keeping the skin healthy and resilient.
7. Improves Hair and Nail Health
- Prevents Hair Breakage: Vitamin C improves iron absorption, a mineral essential for healthy hair growth and preventing hair loss.
- Strengthens Nails: It supports the production of keratin, the structural protein that keeps nails strong and less prone to brittleness.
8. Helps Prevent and Reduce Acne Breakouts
- Regulates Sebum Production: Vitamin C’s anti-inflammatory effects help reduce excessive oil production, which can lead to fewer breakouts.
- Fights Acne Bacteria: It can also limit the activity of acne-causing bacteria and improve skin healing after breakouts.
Folate
Folate is like a beauty booster working from the inside out. It plays a key role in keeping your skin radiant, your hair thick and shiny, and your nails strong. How? By promoting cell renewal and collagen production—two essential processes for maintaining a fresh, youthful appearance. Folate also helps your body repair the everyday damage caused by stress, pollution, and other environmental factors, so your skin, hair, and nails can stay healthy and resilient. Whether you’re looking to smooth fine lines, speed up hair growth, or prevent brittle nails, folate’s got you covered! Here’s a closer look at how it supports your natural beauty:
1. Promotes Radiant Skin by Supporting Cell Regeneration
- Folate helps in DNA synthesis and repair, ensuring rapid turnover of skin cells.
- This contributes to a fresh, youthful complexion by reducing the appearance of fine lines, acne, and blemishes.
2. Enhances Collagen Production
- Folate plays a role in amino acid metabolism, which is essential for collagen synthesis.
- Healthy collagen levels ensure the skin remains firm, elastic, and hydrated, reducing wrinkles.
3. Improves Hair Growth and Strength
- Folate contributes to the formation of red blood cells, ensuring adequate oxygen and nutrient delivery to hair follicles.
- This promotes healthy hair growth, reduces hair thinning, and prevents premature graying.
4. Strengthens Nails and Reduces Brittleness
- Folate aids in the production of keratin, a key protein for strong nails.
5. Supports Detoxification and Clearer Skin
- Folate is involved in the methylation process, helping the body eliminate toxins efficiently.
- Efficient detoxification results in clearer skin by reducing breakouts and inflammation.
Biotin
You’ve probably heard a lot about Biotin—it’s one of the most popular go-tos for boosting beauty from within. Also known as Vitamin B7, Biotin is a real game-changer when it comes to supporting healthy hair, glowing skin, and strong nails. It plays a key role in converting the food you eat into energy, which helps fuel the growth and maintenance of your body’s natural beauty essentials. Whether you’re trying to grow thicker hair, keep your nails from breaking, or maintain a smooth, radiant complexion, Biotin is here to help you shine. Ready to explore exactly how this beauty superstar works its magic? Let’s dive in!
1. Stronger, Healthier Hair
- Reduces hair thinning and boosts growth, making hair look fuller and shinier.
- Helps prevent brittle strands and split ends by improving hair's elasticity.
2. Glowing Skin
- Supports the hydration of skin, helping to fight dryness, flakiness, and irritation.
- Encourages cell turnover, leaving you with smoother, fresher-looking skin.
- Balances oil production, reducing breakouts for some people.
3. Stronger Nails
- Promotes thicker nails that are less likely to break or split.
- Speeds up nail growth, perfect if you’re trying to achieve salon-quality length naturally.
Selenium
Selenium might be a small trace mineral, but it packs a big punch when it comes to keeping you looking and feeling your best! Its powerful antioxidant properties help protect your body from oxidative stress—those pesky free radicals that can damage your skin, hair, and nails over time. Think of it as your beauty bodyguard, working behind the scenes to maintain a youthful glow, stronger hair, and healthy nails. The best part? You don’t need a lot to reap the benefits.Take a closer look at how this mighty mineral works its magic for your beauty routine:
1. Healthy, Youthful Skin
- Fights signs of aging by neutralizing free radicals that cause wrinkles and fine lines.
- Supports the production of collagen, which keeps your skin firm and smooth.
- Helps reduce inflammation, making it useful if you struggle with acne, redness, or skin irritations.
Pro tip: Selenium also works with Vitamin E to keep your skin hydrated and glowing!
2. Strong and Lustrous Hair
- Reduces hair thinning by supporting the scalp and promoting hair follicle health.
- Helps control dandruff by balancing your scalp’s natural oils and reducing flakiness.
- Can stimulate new hair growth, especially if deficiencies are contributing to hair loss.
3. Stronger, Healthier Nails
- Prevents brittle nails and breakage by improving your body’s keratin production.
- Enhances nail growth by keeping oxidative stress at bay, which can weaken nails over time.
Bamboo Shoot Extract
If you're looking for a natural way to enhance your beauty from the inside out, bamboo shoot extract is a fantastic addition to your routine. This powerhouse ingredient is rich in silica, a mineral that plays a key role in keeping your skin glowing, your hair luscious, and your nails strong. Plus, it helps combat the visible signs of aging, making it a go-to for anyone who wants to maintain a youthful look.
1. Glowing, Clear Skin
- Hydrates your skin by improving moisture retention, leaving it soft and dewy.
- Helps reduce acne and redness with its anti-inflammatory properties.
- Promotes collagen production, making skin firmer and reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
Pro tip: Silica also boosts skin elasticity, which can help prevent sagging!
2. Strong, Shiny Hair
- Makes hair stronger and more resistant to breakage by nourishing the hair shaft.
- Enhances hair growth and gives it a natural shine.
- Soothes an irritated scalp, helping with dandruff and dryness.
3. Stronger Nails
- Strengthens brittle nails and reduces splitting or peeling.
- Encourages faster nail growth, giving you healthier-looking nails over time.
Inositol
Inositol, often referred to as Vitamin B8, is a secret weapon for beauty and wellness. This nutrient supports healthy cell function and helps balance hormones, which are both essential for looking and feeling your best. Adding inositol to your routine can do wonders—from promoting clearer, more radiant skin to strengthening your hair and nails. Whether you’re battling breakouts, aiming for shinier locks, or just want an overall beauty boost, inositol works from the inside out to help you shine naturally.
1. Clear, Balanced Skin
- Reduces acne and breakouts by balancing hormones and regulating oil production.
- Helps with skin cell renewal, making your complexion look fresher and brighter.
- Calms redness and inflammation, which can benefit those with rosacea or sensitive skin.
Pro tip: It’s especially helpful if you have hormonal acne!
2. Stronger Nails
- Strengthens brittle nails and prevents splitting or peeling.
- Supports faster nail growth, leaving you with smooth and shiny nails.
3. Healthier, Thicker Hair
- Supports stronger hair follicles, reducing hair shedding and thinning.
- Improves scalp health, preventing dandruff and dryness.
- Can promote hair growth by boosting circulation and nourishing the scalp.