From preventing breakouts to supporting hydration, the delicate balance of your skin microbiome is important for healthy-looking skin. By understanding how this ecosystem functions, what ingredients like pre-, post-, and probiotics are, and how skincare like our Natural Moisturizing Factors + Inulin Body Lotion (formulated with prebiotics) can support your skin barrier, you can help your skin look its best.

The skin microbiome is a community of tiny microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi—including yeasts. Even though these microorganisms are about equal in number to your human cells, they make up only about 1-3% of your body mass.

What’s interesting about the skin microbiome is that it’s unique to each person, much like a fingerprint. Its composition depends on a variety of factors: temperature, humidity, oil levels, location, genetics, and even the time of day.

And just like our skin, the microbiome evolves with us as we age. It shifts with us, adjusting to changes like drier skin or less oil production.

The skin microbiome is a community of tiny microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi—including yeasts. Even though these microorganisms are about equal in number to your human cells, they make up only about 1-3% of your body mass.

What’s interesting about the skin microbiome is that it’s unique to each person, much like a fingerprint. Its composition depends on a variety of factors: temperature, humidity, oil levels, location, genetics, and even the time of day.

And just like our skin, the microbiome evolves with us as we age. It shifts with us, adjusting to changes like drier skin or less oil production.

Understanding pre-, pro-, and postbiotics helps illuminate their unique roles in skin care. Each type can play a different role in supporting the skin and promoting a balanced and healthy-looking complexion. Here is how these ingredients support the skin.

At The Ordinary, you’ll find pre- and postbiotics in select formulations designed to support your skin barrier. Now, let’s explore their role in skin care and see where you’ll find them in The Ordinary’s lineup.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are ingredients like inulin, rhamnose, and glucomannan that are designed to support the skin’s microbiome.

Inulin, a prebiotic, maintains a healthy skin barrier for a balanced microbiome and is formulated within our lightweight Natural Moisturizing Factors + Inulin Body Lotion. For best results, apply after showering to hydrate and maintain your skin’s natural barrier.

Probiotics

Probiotics contain live microorganisms, commonly found in foods like kombucha, sauerkraut, and kefir. While they are popular in food products for gut health, they are less common in skincare because keeping these live microbes stable and effective in cosmetic formulations is challenging.

Postbiotics

Postbiotics are becoming increasingly common in skincare and are derived from microbes or microbial fermentation. Postbiotics are often, but not always, processed by breaking down ingredients through fermentation to create beneficial components.

You will find the post-biotic Lactococcus Ferment Lysate in our water-based serums Multi-Peptide + HA and Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1%. Sphingomonas Ferment Extract is also found in our lightweight emulsion for face and body, Niacinamide 5% Face & Body Emulsion.

Despite the fact that pre-, pro-, and postbiotics are gaining popularity in skincare, there's still much to uncover about how they function and the benefits they offer.

The skin microbiome is always interacting with its surroundings, and several external factors can impact its balance. Things like washing, the products we use, changes in temperature, and the environment can all have an impact. Consider washing, for example. It can strip away microorganisms from the skin's surface, but studies show that the skin microbiome is surprisingly resilient and often rebounds after these disruptions.

Research indicates that while the microbiome may change temporarily when exposed to stressors like washing or alcohol-based products, it generally returns to its normal state. Such resilience tells us our skin’s microbiome is quite capable of handling the daily challenges it faces. Still, it’s a good idea to limit how often we use harsh skincare. Frequent use can make it harder for the microbiome to find its natural balance again.

The skin microbiome is a powerful ally in maintaining and supporting our skin and its appearance. For skin barrier support, explore our products formulated with pre- and post-biotics to promote a healthy-looking complexion.