🔬 Introduction: Why talk about the microbiome today?
The skin microbiome has become a key topic in dermatology and cosmetology. This micro-ecosystem, composed of billions of bacteria, fungi, and microorganisms, plays an essential role in skin health and beauty.
When this microbiome is balanced, the skin is less sensitive, more hydrated, better protected , and ages more slowly. Conversely, when it is disrupted, dryness, redness, blemishes, inflammation, and loss of radiance appear.
This article explains — in an educational and accessible way — how the microbiome works and how natural active ingredients , including prebiotics and postbiotics , help to strengthen the skin barrier.
🔍 1. The vital role of the microbiome in skin health
The skin microbiome acts like a living armor that protects the skin from:
- dehydration
- inflammation
- pathogens
- imbalances (excess sebum, dryness, irritations)
- chemical or environmental aggressions
It also regulates:
- the acidified pH of the skin
- lipid production
- the local immune response
- healing
👉 A balanced microbiome = strong, less reactive, brighter skin.
👉 A disrupted microbiome = redness, dryness, imperfections, tightness, irritation.
However, our modern lifestyle — surfactants, overly abrasive treatments, pollution, stress — disrupts this balance.
Hence the importance of using skincare products formulated to repair and nourish this ecosystem.
🧬 2. Prebiotics, Probiotics, Postbiotics: what are the differences?
These three asset classes are often confused, even though they do not have the same role . Here is a clear and scientific explanation.
🌱 Prebiotics — The food of the microbiome
Prebiotics are substrates (sugars, polysaccharides, amino acids, plants) that selectively nourish the "good" bacteria already present on the skin, increasing their activity.
Common examples:
- Betaine
- Sodium PCA
- Rhamnose, glucose, glucuronic acids (simple sugars)
- Inulin
- Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide
- Plant extracts rich in polysaccharides
👉 Role: to strengthen the skin barrier without introducing microorganisms.
In some Innadermys products (e.g., Derma Balance Prebio ), these sugars and moisturizing molecules act as fuel for the microbiome , helping to stabilize fragile or irritated skin.
🦠 Probiotics — Live microorganisms (rarely used)
The scientific definition of probiotics involves living microorganisms capable of multiplying.
In cosmetics, this poses several problems:
- The conservatives kill them
- acidic pH levels inactivate them
- Regulations restrict the use of live bacteria.
- product stability becomes impossible
👉 Result: the “probiotics” present in cosmetics are almost never live probiotics.
Brands often use the word for “scientific aura”, but in reality it is most often…
→ of lysates, filtrates, fermented extracts , therefore postbiotics .
🔬 Postbiotics — The new generation of skin actives
Postbiotics are ingredients derived from bacteria but not living bacteria:
- lysates (broken cells)
- filtrates
- metabolites
- organic acids
- bacterial peptides
Powerful example:
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
→ the same as in several Innadermys treatments.
His scientifically documented actions:
- strengthens the cohesion of the skin barrier
- improves hydration
- stimulates the production of natural antimicrobial peptides
- reduces irritation
- increases skin tolerance
- helps to balance the flora
- supports cellular repair
👉 Postbiotics are currently the most promising active ingredients for restoring the microbiome, without the constraints of live probiotics.
🧬 3. Why does a balanced microbiome strengthen the skin barrier?
The skin barrier is composed of lipids, proteins, and microorganisms.
When it is balanced:
- the skin becomes less dehydrated
- she is less sensitive
- it heals better
- it produces less inflammation
- It is more resistant to aggression.
- it has fewer pimples
A “microbiome-friendly” skincare product must therefore:
✔️ maintain a slightly acidic pH (4.5–5.5)
✔️ Use mild surfactants
✔️ Incorporate prebiotics or postbiotics
✔️ Boost hydration (NMF: Sodium PCA, amino acids, glycosaminoglycans)
✔️ Limit allergenic fragrances
🌿 4. How do natural cosmetics affect the microbiome?
Natural formulas enriched with:
- prebiotic plant sugars
- postbiotic lactic acid bacteria
- Gentle essential oils (patchouli, lavender) with regulating properties
- hyaluronic acids
- glycosaminoglycans
can :
- regulate sebum
- soothe the inflammation
- support the repair
- deeply hydrate
- improve tolerance
The Derma Balance Prebio range from Innadermys fits perfectly into this approach:
→ to support the microbiome rather than replace it.
→ strengthen natural defenses rather than disrupting them with overly aggressive active ingredients.
🧴 5. The different types of care useful for the microbiome
✔️ Tailored care
- prebiotic moisturizing essences
- bioactive gels with lactic lysates
- microbiome-friendly creams
- mild cleansers acidic pH
- moisturizing masks without strong alcohol
❌ Problematic Care
- Exfoliating too frequently
- alkaline cleaners
- denatured alcohol in large quantities
- aggressive perfumes
- broad-spectrum antibacterials
🧬 Conclusion: Nourishing the microbiome is nourishing the skin
Understanding the microbiome means understanding that the skin is not simply an isolated tissue, but an intelligent ecosystem .
Prebiotics, inactive probiotics (postbiotics), and natural active ingredients help restore a balance that immediately results in:
- more brightness
- less redness
- better hydration
- fewer imperfections
- more resilient skin
An approach that fully aligns with the Innadermys philosophy: innovating while respecting the natural biology of the skin.
