Today, there's a widespread awareness of the essential role our body's bacteria play in our overall health.
Indeed, while human cells account for up to 43% of the total number of cells in our bodies, the rest are made up of micro-organisms: " You're more microbe than you are human," says Professor Rob Knight, founder of the Center for Microbiome Innovation.
Consequently, preserving good bacteria has become an essential part of our overall well-being, in both cosmetics and nutrition. Today, we are seeing an increase in the use of active ingredients and the launch of products with proven efficacy on our microbiome or microbiota.
This is the case with YODI, which offers products that help maintain the balance of the natural microorganisms in our skin - also known as the cutaneous microbiome - to help us achieve healthy, beautiful skin and hair.
This is also the case with DIJO, which offers dietary supplements designed to bring well-being to the stomach and improve the balance of our intestinal flora or " microbiota " - the natural collection of micro-organisms colonizing our digestive system.
Last but not least, many foods and beverages help to strengthen and optimize our microbiota.
In this article, we'll explain the power of prebiotics for the skin and tell you the secret of the best foods for preserving your intestinal microbiota. You'll also find an interview with the founders of DIJO, who will explain how health also involves the stomach!
Microbiome, Prebiotics & Probiotics: what are they?
What is the skin microbiome?
Another trendy marketing term? Wrong!
The microbiome is an integral part of each and every one of us!
Simply put, the skin microbiome is the collection of microorganisms such as bacteria and non-pathogenic fungi found on the surface of our skin and scalp. They all play an essential role in protecting our skin and scalp. A veritable shield against external aggression, the cutaneous microbiome enables us to maintain balanced, healthy and beautiful skin and hair.
When the balance of the microbiome is disturbed, that's when you can see imperfections appear, due in particular to an overproduction of sebum.
What is a prebiotic?
A powerful natural active ingredient, a prebiotic is like food for the good bacteria that make up our microbiome.
As a superfood, prebiotics stimulate the activity and growth of our good bacteria. Thanks to this "food", our bacteria are ready to carry out all their essential functions, including defense and protection of the epidermal barrier.
Prebiotics also boost good bacteria by giving them all the energy they need to deliver their benefits to our immune system and therefore to our overall health, and ultimately to the beauty of our skin and hair.
What are probiotics?
According to the WHO, probiotics are " living micro-organisms which, when ingested in sufficient quantities, exert positive effects on health over and above the traditional nutritional effects".
Did you know? Live bacteria cannot be used in cosmetics formulas: it's simply forbidden! Live bacteria are not compatible with cosmetic formulas.
Consequently, the only way to use probiotics in cosmetics is to incorporate them in the form of "inactive" bacterial fragments. In this case, there's no risk, and they may even prove useful for a more balanced microbiome!
In the food sector, however, and more particularly in dietary supplements, the probiotics used in formulas must actually be alive and active in order to be effective on the intestinal microbiota and produce real effects!
YODI products: natural, vegan and rich in prebiotics:
For skin and hair at their best, YODI has designed natural vegan products enriched with prebiotics that respect the natural balance of the skin and scalp:
For the skin :
- Trio d'Huiles face powder cleanser with prebiotic, which soothes and protects the skin. It helps to calm tightness and make skin less reactive. This cleanser is perfect for dry, sensitive or ultra-reactive skin that can't stand anything else.
- Vitamin C & Hibiscus Flower Powder Facial Cleanser with prebiotic to help balance the skin. Skin is protected and heals more easily. Skin is increasingly clear and luminous. Rich in active ingredients, this treatment is ideal for normal skin looking for radiance.
- Purifying Charcoal powder facial cleanser with prebiotic, to help regulate excess sebum and boost the healing of imperfections. This makes it the ideal treatment for combination to oily skin suffering from acne and/or blackheads.
- Rétinol-Like Végétal oil serum with prebiotic, which helps regulate the skin's microbiota and reinforce its protective function.
- Our latest innovation: Shake it! oil, enriched with prebiotics, vegetable charcoal and concentrated Bakuchiol. The prebiotic in this treatment helps protect combination, oily and/or blemish-prone skin, which is often weakened and ultra-sensitive.
For hair :
- Douceur de Lait d'Amande shampoo powder with prebiotic, which helps protect the scalp. It also helps regulate sebum production. Over time, hair becomes stronger, fuller and shinier. Hair regresses less quickly, which in turn means more frequent shampooing, much to everyone's delight!
- Nutritive Argan powder shampoo with prebiotic, which protects the scalp and helps make your hair radiantly beautiful.
What about the intestinal microbiota?
YODI, which uses prebiotics in its cosmetics to care for the skin microbiome, was interested in what was happening to the intestinal microbiota.
To find out more, YODI met Anouck and Lisa, founders of DIJO, the1st brand dedicated to intestinal health and well-being.
Watch the interview below:
- "Why the name 'Dijo', what does it mean?
We wanted to make a pun on the alcoholic shot - the digestif or "digeo" - but to allude, in the context of our brand, to a shot of well-being for the belly thanks to our capsules!
- Why did you create this brand?
In fact, this brand creation stems from a personal misadventure (Anouck): I was diagnosed with an autoimmune tyroid disease in 2018. So I tried to find a more natural alternative to all the hormone treatments on offer. Through my research and on Lisa's advice, I discovered probiotics and the importance they could have on the tummy. I noticed significant improvements and realized that the belly really is the pillar of health, regulating everything from the immune system, energy and moods to the appearance of skin and hair. So Lisa and I decided to give the belly back the place it deserves.
- What kind of improvements can Dijo products bring?
As a global regulator, the belly plays a role in digestion, the immune system, skin and hair quality, stress, and so on. The first effects of Dijo products are therefore those of improved digestion, with less bloating and better transit. Our products also have a knock-on effect on skin and hair, stress, mood and energy. In other words, our products deliver global benefits that flow directly from the well-being of the belly!
- How did you come up with the optimum food supplements?
We have 2 categories of supplements: probiotics and phytotherapy.
Probiotics are good bacteria that colonize the intestines, particularly the intestinal microbiota. For our products, we have to respect several essential criteria, such as product freshness (as these are very fragile living organisms) and concentration (our products contain billions of bacteria to be effective). For phytotherapy, we need natural active ingredients that are well absorbed, well concentrated and well sourced.
- What do you think of January as "detox month"?
Detox" is a marketing term associated with dieting.
For us, detox is a whole process that stimulates the release of toxins in the body. It's a tiring process which, to be effective, needs to be carried out over at least 3 weeks/1 month.
But let's set the record straight! It's great to take dietary supplements, but that's not enough for a successful detox: at the same time, you need to re-establish good eating habits, especially after the excesses of the festive season. We recommend limiting processed foods and added sugars, as well as reducing stress through meditation, for example. Ideally, you should take part in a sporting activity, or simply move around to sweat and naturally evacuate toxins! The detox process is therefore a global one, and ultimately optimizes the body's ability to function properly if the right steps are taken.
- What do you think of cider vinegar, kombucha, kefir, etc.?
That's great! In addition to the dietary supplements we offer, they further strengthen the intestinal microbiota, which is like a great rainforest with many different species of bacteria to protect.
So, to help rebalance this whole ecosystem, anything fermented is great. However, the concentration of good bacteria in these products is minimal compared to our capsules, so it's still just a supplement.
And don't forget the fiber! They're prebiotics - good food/fuel for our good bacteria!
- What is your respective role at Dijo?
We don't each have our own area of expertise: everything emerges from the 2 of us! Of course, we divide the tasks between us, and each takes the lead according to the project.
- What are your detox beauty tips?
Lisa: Hydration plays a major role. After the holidays, it's a good idea to cut down on alcohol and eat a balanced diet. In terms of beauty rituals, I love cleansing oil and double cleansing, which for me are a real pampering moment.
Anouck: Limit sugar and avoid industrial cakes to avoid blemishes!
Prebiotics and probiotics in our diet:
Fermentation is the big trend these days! Fermented products are making a comeback in a coherent way, responding to our current expectations of naturalness, cleanliness, authenticity/craftsmanship, quality and products that are good for digestion and therefore for overall health.
Fermentation is found in many everyday foods such as yogurt, butter, beer and cheese, but some fermented foods are particularly good for our intestinal microbiota because they are naturally rich in probiotics :
- kombucha : a tangy drink made from fermented tea
- milk kefir: a particularly easy-to-digest preparation made by fermenting kefir seeds in milk, which boosts the immune system
- pickles: gherkins, lemons, cucumbers, onions, turnips, beets, carrots, radishes, etc., which are fermented
- tempeh: an Indonesian specialty, this is a paste made from fermented soybeans.
- miso: one of Asia's many fermented specialties, this is a fermented soybean paste.
- kimchi: a traditional Korean dish of fermented chillies and vegetables
- fermented cabbage : found in sauerkraut
With regard to prebioticsyou can find them in dietary fiber, where they are naturally present. Fiber is found in all plant-based foods such as fruit and vegetables, as well as legumes and cereals. It should be noted, however, that their content can vary greatly from one plant to another! If you would like to enrich your diet with fiber, here is our selection of plants naturally rich in prebiotics:
- bananas: for easier digestion, eat them when ripe,
- chicory: opt for chicory leaves in salads, for example!
- artichokes: nothing beats a little vinaigrette!
- endive : in a salad with walnuts and Roquefort cheese, a delight for the taste buds and the belly!
- leeks: naturally rich in fibre, easy to digest
- asparagus: the superfood with the highest antioxidant content in the world
- garlic: has the power to detoxify the liver and also contains adenosine, a powerful vasodilator that boosts blood circulation
- onions: rich in fibre, peel them under cool running water to avoid crying!
Find out more:
Read like a novel: The Discreet Charm of the Gut by Giulia Enders, which explains all about our intestinal microbiota and the virtues of good digestion for our immune system and everyday health.