You probably have heard of probiotics, but maybe not in skin care.  Probiotics are naturally occurring good bacteria-found in yogurt and other foods.  They are a popular addition to diets to help with the digestive system.  They are also good for your skin. These little organisms form a shield to protect the skin from environmental concerns such as pollution as well as helping keep moisture in.  They are usually very gentle and can be tolerated by even sensitive skin. 

Researchers in Europe and Asia have been exploring the use of probiotics to control acne, signs of aging, immune functions, and other aspects of skin care.  One of the first, Bioecolia or alpha glucan oligosaccharide, is derived from natural sucrose and maltose sugars.  It is an easily digested food source for the “good” or beneficial microflora in the skin.  It is not a good food source for the harmful bacteria.  So the good get fed, the bad do not.  The bad bacteria associated with rosacea and acne are especially affected.  Bioecolia was originally used as a cosmetic preservative.  It is now touted for balancing the ecosystem of the skin and scalp during times of stress, exposure to pollutants, or disruptions due to the continued use of hand sanitizers and antimicrobial soaps.  Please note that using these sanitizers and soaps and their effect on the friendly flora is still being debated. 

You will find more and more skin products available that contain probiotics and studies indicate they provide positive results in skin health.  It is a good idea to cycle a probiotic cream through your skin care program periodically.