Navigating today's skincare market can leave you feeling a bit overwhelmed and like you need to be a chemist or a dermatologist to follow along. 

There are thousands of products on the market that can be combined into a multitude of possible (and impossible) routines. All with the promise to give you the healthy, glowing skin of your dreams. 

At BAK Skincare we think skincare can be kept pretty simple for most people. Especially since probiotic bacteria create so many of the metabolites that are the active ingredients in 'regular' skincare. If you're curious about what probiotics produce, then read the blog here. 

We know that once you fall in love with a product, it feels wrong to stop using that particular acid or vitamin just because you discover other skincare. That's why we're dedicating this blog to some common skincare ingredients, and how they can be used in a routine with probiotic skincare.

What skincare do you actually need? and how often?

When it comes to skincare, less if often more.

The are many wonderful products and helpful acids, vitamins and minerals on the shelves. But problems can arise when you use to many at once, or too high a concentration, or actives that work against each other. It can become too much for your skin, and create dysbiosis in your skin's microbiome.

So, stay critical when you hear about new products, and try to understand how often, and in combination with what, the product should be used. And remember, that not everything will work the same for you, as it does for others. 

With probiotic you get so many good acids, vitamins and peptides created directly on the skin, but if you need to boost a particular one, then you can add that in to your routine.

 DO's and DON'Ts

To maximize the effect of your probiotic products, it's important to avoid using anti-microbial products at the same time. Anti-microbial ingredients are most common in products intended for treating acne, pimples, and impurities. These substances are designed to kill bacteria, and can't differentiate between the bad ones and the good ones.

The majority of products are fine to use on top of your probiotic products, but you need to give them a moment to sink in and establish themselves on the skin, before adding other cosmetic products. 

If you need to speed things up, then let your skin be very slightly moist when you apply the probiotics. The moisture will help 'wake up' the probiotics more quickly, and you can apply other products without waiting. 

Products like a cleanser that you rinse off can be used immediately before applying probiotics. And the same goes for miscellar water, because it's mostly water, and nothing that will disturb the probiotics.

If you use face masks, then just apply the probiotics after you have remove the mask according to the instructions. 

Retinol (Vitamin A):

A-vitamin or retinol is famous for improving the skin's texture, reduce wrinkles and age spots, and for combatting impurities. If you're prescribed Vitamin A medication, then this will not impact topical application of probiotics. 

In creams and serums, the concentration of retinol is sometimes very high. Not only do you need to build up your skin's tolerance gradually over time, but it's also possible that the concentration can be so high that it negatively impacts probiotics.

DO: You can use retinol and probiotics at the same time if the retinol concentration isn't very high. If the concentration is very high, then use the BAK products and the retinol products on separate occasions (let some hours pass in between application). BAK's probiotics also produce Vitamin A, so you're already getting some of the helpful vitamin from your probiotic skincare.  

 

Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid): 

DO. Adding Vitamin C to your skincare routine doesn't cause any problems for the probiotics. As with all active ingredients, you need to take care and test how much/how often your skin can tolerate it. Probiotics also produce lots of good vitamins. 

 

Niacinamide: 

DO: Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 and is often applied to reduce irritation, redness and hyper pigmentation. Niacinamide can be used together with probiotic skincare, but again it's best if you separate their application by a few hours, or alternate them in your routine. 

Niacinamide is yet another substance that probiotics produce naturally. 

 

Salicylic acid: 

DO. Salicylic acid is often used as a chemical feel and as a deep-cleaning ingredient. Salicylic acid is produced by probiotic bacteria, so it's no problem to combine the two. If you need more salicylic acid than the probiotics produce, then use a separate product. Just be careful and don't use the acid too often--every 2nd or 3rd night should be enough. Listen to your skin, and try different routines.

 

Hyaluronic acid: 

DO: Hyaluronic acid is famous for its moisturizing properties, and is especially popular with those who think their skin has lost plumpness and elasticity. You can use hyaluronic acid together with probiotic skincare, and probiotics help to strengthen the skin barrier, which helps the skin to retain moisture. 

 

Zinc: 

DON’T. Zinc is a bit tricky. The mineral is often used for treating wounds, and it's perfectly fit for this purpose. However, zinc is antibacterial, which is why it doesn't combine well with probiotic skincare. 

 

Reach out if you have more questions

New skincare is often popping up on the market, so if there's something you want to understand how to combine with probiotic skincare, then drop us a line. We will do our best to make sense of how the product may impact probiotic bacteria.