The skin microbiome is a rising star in the beauty world, its rapid ascent fueled by science and self-care. Discoveries in microbiome research are happening all the time ~ changing the way we understand the health of our skin and how to care for it.
Guided by the latest in skin science, we set out to study the effects of our patented formula on skin health. In this article, we’re delighted to share the results of our recent Microbiome Assessment Studies, along with some helpful information about the biology of the microbiome ~ what it is, how it functions, and why it matters.
Let’s start at the very beginning…
What is a microbiome?
The human microbiome is made up of trillions of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, and other microbes) living on and inside your body, with most in your gut.
Formed the moment you are born, this bountiful and diverse layer connects and helps to direct all of your body’s systems ~ communicating important signals to shape how your body functions.
Research into the gut microbiome is fairly well-established, which is helping to raise awareness of the skin microbiome (skin is our largest organ, after all). What we know so far is that a balanced skin microbiome can support the overall health of your skin ~ and the more we learn, the more friendly this ecosystem seems to be.
What is the skin microbiome?
The wisdom of nature is alive on your skin
Skin microbiome, which you may see called ‘skin flora’ or ‘skin microbiota’, refers to the communities of microorganisms that live on our skin.
Our skin is home to around 1,000 species of bacteria. With ten times the number of microorganisms than all the stars in the Milky Way, your skin microbiome cloaks every inch of your skin. Most of our skin microbiome is found in the top of hair follicles and the epidermis' topmost layers.
The majority of our skin flora is either not harmful, or offers a benefit to your skin. These can include boosting our skin’s immune system and protecting the skin and body from transient pathogenic organisms. Invisible to the naked eye, your skin microbiome is like a natural armour keeping you safe from:
- Infection
- UV damage
- Premature ageing
- Other irritations
And while this unique shield is extremely useful to you, it is also delicate. Constant exposure to environmental pollutants, chemicals, harsh cleansers, exfoliants, cosmetics, and other daily stressors can cause your skin to become unbalanced. Nurturing this delicate balance is the key to strengthening your skin’s innate immunity.
What are the signs of a disrupted skin microbiome?
If your skin microbiome is out of balance or damaged, reactions can occur ~ leading to inflammation, acne, blemishes, and other irritations. In this way, nurturing a balanced microbiome is a basic element of skin health ~ when your microbiome is healthy, your skin will be more resilient.
How to restore your skin microbiome
1. Repair your skin barrier
As your skin microbiome makes up part of your skin barrier, replenishing that barrier will help restore your microbiome.
If your skincare routine consists of many steps, seek to simplify. Too many products, especially those that are astringent, may be doing more harm than good. Instead, create day and night skincare routines made of a few key products.
2. Use pre and probiotics
Rejuvenate your skin from the inside out by incorporating pre and probiotics into your diet, they help feed the good bacteria so your skin and gut can flourish.
While you may want to try supplementing, nature provides an abundance of pre and probiotic foods. Garlic, onions, bananas and oats are rich in prebiotics, and you’ll find probiotics in fermented foods like kefir, kimchi and kombucha.
3. Stay away from harsh cleansers
Harsh cleansers can have a caustic effect on your skin’s delicate ecosystem. If, after cleansing, your skin feels tight and dry, or if later in the day you notice more oil buildup than normal, your cleanser may be too harsh for your skin type.
Find a cleanser that gives instead of takes. Nurture this ecosystem with the ingredients it loves ~ argan oil, vitamin E and aloe vera, to name a few.
Our philosophy has always been to enhance what is already yours, never to strip away. Our skincare is filled with these rich ingredients and more. Find them in our 100% natural face oil, or our soothing oil to milk cleanser.
4. Boost blood flow to your skin
Improving the blood flow to your skin will help nourish it with oxygen and nutrients, both of which feed and restore your skin’s microbiome.
Exercise is a powerful way to do this, particularly yoga. If you are well enough, practice asanas such as downward dog or standing forward fold.
Invite ingredients into your skincare routine that promote blood flow too, we love the benefits of caffeine for this, which is why we include it in our award-winning silver face cream, la potion infinie.
A collection that is kind to skin
Perhaps more than first meets the eye, our skin is intricately connected to our overall health.
At ARgENTUM, we respect the interconnectedness of the skin microbiome and we’ve taken great care to formulate our silver skincare collection to positively affect it. All of our products are designed to support the skin’s ecosystem in a way that is kind to skin.
Your skin is a part of you, and it deserves to be cared for with love.
The magic & science of silver hydrosol for your microbiome
The heart of ARgENTUM is silver
All of our ingredients are exceptionally effective while being gentle to the skin's natural flora, but there is one ingredient in particular that plays the starring role in keeping the delicate balance of bad and good bacteria ~ Silver Hydrosol, the purest and most effective form of silver used in skincare.
It’s a safe and natural ingredient, known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties as well as the ability to fight free radicals and help regenerate tissue. Silver has an almost magical ability to differentiate between healthy cells and pathogens and gently regulates skin balance without harm or irritation. To witness the science of silver for yourself, watch this microscopic view of liquid silver killing live bacteria.
In fact, the World Health Organization uses silver in its water filters and recently silver has been confirmed in clinical studies to combat even antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as MRSA.
Modern science is also exploring the protective properties of copper and silver surfaces and how they may be used to quickly kill harmful bacteria and viruses.
la potion infinie and le sérum infini ~ our heroes for intuitively healthy skin
Scientific testing proves la potion infinie protects the skin microbiome
We believe the skin microbiome is a hero, so we created our heroes to support it. With microbiome beauty and skin science on the rise, we wanted scientific proof of our patented formula (enhanced in le sérum infini) and its effect on the skin microbiome.
We are delighted to share the results of our Microbiome Assessment Studies from the Medical University of Lodz in Poland for la potion infinie and Dr Koziej Testowalnia for le sérum infini. The purpose of these studies was to determine whether our heroes support and protect the natural skin microbiome.
Results for la potion infinie study confirmed…
- Has a positive effect on the skin microbiome
- Restores the balance of the skin microbiome
- Protects the skin microbiome, and
- Promotes the balance of the skin microbiome
la potion infinie was found to eliminate adverse microorganisms of the Bacillus, Enterococcus, and Pantoea species. All three of these bacteria have been linked to infection and disease.
Importantly, it was also found that la potion infinie did not disturb the number of microorganisms present on the skin ~ therefore, being seen to support the existing skin microbiome. So while unwanted bacteria were removed, the remaining microorganisms were undamaged ~ helping to restore the delicate balance of the skin microbiome.
Results for le serum infni study confirmed...
- Rebuilds the skin's natural microbiome
- Is gentle on the skin microbiome
- Supports the skin's natural microbiome
- Ensures proper microbial balance of the skin
- Positively affects the natural microbiome of the skin.
When used systematically according to the manufacturer's recommendations it shows a positive effect on the human skin microbiome.
It does not disturb the number of microorganisms present on the skin fragments selected for the study (forehead),
It does not eliminate Staphylococcus epidermidis from the skin, which is an important element of the skin microbiome
It has a protective effect on the skin microbiome as it eliminated the adverse microorganisms: Bacillus spp., Enterococcus spp., Alcaligenes spp. and Pantoea spp.,
It meets the performance values regarding the positive influence on the human skin microbiome set by the manufacturer.
Clinical trials of la potion infinie
It’s been our focus for the last 3 years to study the effects of our patented formula on skin health. In 2019, we conducted clinical trials of la potion infinie at the University Hospital of Toulouse in France.
This renowned training institution performed a three-fold test which recorded patient, dermatologist and bio-metrological feedback ~ meaning the results we share with you are as accurate as is scientifically possible.
In clinical trials of men and women (aged 20-75) applying la potion infinie daily at Toulouse University Hospital for 3 months, participants reported:
- Reduced inflammation by 94%
- Improved acne & blemishes by 72%
- Improved fine lines & wrinkles by 70%
- Improved pigmentation by 55%
Knowing what we now know about the skin microbiome, we have a full view of the effects of our patented formula supported by science.
The beauty of the microbiome
Microbiome science is an ongoing area of scientific discovery which is yet to be fully understood. But the beauty of the microbiome is that we can choose to nurture this exquisite, invisible universe in a way that is kind to skin.
As scientific research continues, so does our voyage of discovery…
