There is now a widespread awareness of the essential role that our body's bacteria play in our overall health.
Indeed, if human cells represent up to 43% of the total number of cells in our body, the rest is composed of microorganisms: " You are more microbe than you are human " says Professor Rob Knight, founder of the Center for Microbiome Innovation.
Therefore, the preservation of good bacteria becomes an essential issue to feel good in a global way, and this in cosmetics as well as in nutrition. Today, there is an increase in the use of active ingredients and the launch of products with proven effectiveness on our microbiome or microbiota.
This is the case with YODI, which offers products that help maintain the balance of this natural set of micro-organisms that our skin harbors - also called the skin microbiome - to help us have healthy and beautiful skin and hair.
This is also the case with DIJO, which offers food supplements designed to bring well-being to the stomach and improve the balance of our intestinal flora or " microbiota " - the natural set of microorganisms colonizing our digestive system.
Finally, this is the case for many foods and drinks that will help strengthen and optimize our microbiota.
In this article we will explain the power of prebiotics for the skin and give you the secret of the best foods to preserve your intestinal microbiota. You will also find an interview with the founders of DIJO who will explain to you how health also goes through the stomach!
Microbiome, Prebiotics & Probiotics: what are they?
What is the skin microbiome?
Another trendy marketing term? Wrong!
The microbiome is indeed an integral part of each of us!
To define it simply, the skin microbiome is the set of microorganisms such as bacteria and non-pathogenic fungi that are found on the surface of our skin and scalp. All of these play an essential role in protecting our skin and scalp. A real shield against external aggressions, the skin microbiome allows us to keep our skin and hair balanced, healthy and beautiful.
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 our good bacteria that make up our microbiome.
As a superfood, prebiotics stimulate the activity and growth of our good bacteria. Thus, thanks to this "food", the bacteria are ready to carry out all their essential functions, in particular defense and protection of the epidermal barrier.
The prebiotic also boosts the good bacteria by giving them all the energy they need to deliver their benefits on our immune system and therefore on our overall health, and ultimately on our skin and hair beauty.
What is a probiotic?
According to the WHO, probiotics are " living microorganisms that, when ingested in sufficient quantities, exert positive health effects beyond the traditional nutritional effects".
Did you know that? It is not possible to use live bacteria in cosmetic formulas: it is simply forbidden! Indeed, they are not compatible with the formulas.
Therefore, the only way to use probiotics in cosmetic products is to integrate them in the form of "inactive" bacteria fragments. In this case, there is no risk and they can even be useful to have a more balanced microbiome!
In the food industry, however, and more particularly in dietary supplements, the probiotics used in the formulas must be alive and active to be effective on the intestinal microbiota and produce real effects!
YODI products: natural, vegan and rich in prebiotics:
For the best skin and hair, YODI has designed natural vegan products enriched with prebiotics that respect the natural balance of the skin and scalp:
For the skin:
- The Trio d'Huiles face powder cleanser with prebiotic, which soothes and protects the skin. Thus, it will help to calm tightness and make the skin less reactive. This cleanser is therefore perfect for dry, sensitive or ultra-reactive skin that can't stand anything.
- Vitamin C & Hibiscus Flowers powder face wash with prebiotic, which ensures the skin's balance. The skin is protected and heals more easily. The skin is increasingly clear and luminous. Rich in active ingredients, this treatment is ideal for normal skin in search of radiance.
- The Purifying Charcoal powder face wash with prebiotic, helps regulate excess sebum and boosts the healing of imperfections. Thus, this care is the best ally of the mixed to oily skins which suffer from acne and/or black spots.
- The Retinol-Like Vegetable oil serum with prebiotic, which allows the regulation of the cutaneous microbiota and the reinforcement of the skin's protective function.
- Our latest innovation: Shake it! oilenriched with prebiotic, vegetable charcoal and concentrated Bakuchiol. The prebiotic contained in this care helps to protect mixed, oily and/or blemished skin, which is often weakened and ultra-sensitive.
For the hair:
- The powder shampoo Douceur de Lait d'Amande with prebiotic, which allows the protection of the scalp. It also helps regulate sebum. With each use, the hair becomes stronger, fuller and shinier. They regress less quickly, which makes it possible for the greatest happiness of all to space the shampoos!
- The Nutritive Argan powder shampoo with prebiotic, which protects the scalp and helps to make your hair shine with beauty.
What about the intestinal microbiota?
YODI, which uses prebiotics in its cosmetic products to take care of the skin microbiome, was interested in what was happening with the intestinal microbiota.
To find out more about this, YODI met Anouck and Lisa, founders of DIJO, thefirst brand dedicated to intestinal health and well-being.
Find below the interview:
- "Why this name "Dijo", what does it mean?
We wanted to make a pun with the alcohol shot - the digestif or "digeo" - but to allude, in the context of our brand, to a wellness shot for the belly thanks to our capsules!
- Why did you create this brand?
In fact, this brand creation started from a personal misadventure (Anouck): I was diagnosed with an autoimmune tyroid disease in 2018. So I tried to look for a more natural alternative to all the hormonal treatments offered. Through my research and on Lisa's advice, I discovered probiotics and how important they could be to the tummy. I noticed significant improvements and I became aware that the belly was really the pillar of health, it regulates everything: immune system, energy, moods, skin and hair appearance... So, with Lisa, we wanted to give the belly the place it deserves.
- What kind of improvements can we see with Dijo products?
As a global regulator, the belly plays a role in digestion, the immune system, skin and hair quality, stress, etc. The first effects that can be felt thanks to Dijo products are therefore those of better digestion, with reduced bloating and a good transit. Then, our products also have a knock-on effect on the appearance of the skin, hair, stress, mood and energy. Our products therefore provide global benefits, which are directly related to the well-being of the stomach!
- How did you arrive at optimal supplements?
We have 2 categories of supplements: probiotics and phytotherapy.
Probiotics are good bacteria that colonize the intestines and particularly the intestinal microbiota. For our products, we must respect several essential criteria such as the freshness of the products (because they are very fragile living organisms), the 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.
However, detox is for us a whole process that stimulates the release of toxins present in the body. It is also a tiring process that, to be effective, must take place over at least 3 weeks/1 month.
However, it is necessary to re-establish the truth! It's great to take food supplements, but that's not enough for a successful detox: it is also necessary to re-establish good eating habits, especially after the excesses of the end-of-year celebrations. It is recommended to limit processed foods, added sugars, but also stress through meditation for example. Ideally, you should have a sporting activity, or simply move to sweat and naturally evacuate the toxins! The detox process is therefore global and ultimately allows to optimize the proper functioning of the body, if we adopt the right gestures.
- What do you think of all that is cider vinegar, kombucha, kefir, etc.?
It's great! They allow, in addition to the food supplements we offer, to strengthen even more the intestinal microbiota which is like a big tropical forest 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.
Also think about fiber! They are prebiotics, or good food/fuel for our good bacteria!
- What is your respective role at Dijo?
We don't each have a specific field: everything emerges from the two of us! We obviously share the missions and each one takes the lead according to the projects.
- What are your Beauty Detox tips?
Lisa: Hydration plays a major role. After the holidays, it's good to cut down on alcohol and focus on a balanced diet. In terms of beauty rituals, I love cleansing oil and double cleansing, which for me are a real moment of care.
Anouck: Limit sugar and avoid industrial cakes to avoid blemishes!
Prebiotics and probiotics in our diet:
Today, the big trend is fermentation! Fermented products are indeed making a comeback in a coherent way as they meet our current expectations of naturalness, cleanliness, authenticity/artisanal, quality and products that are good for the digestion and therefore for the health as a whole.
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 sour drink made from fermented tea
- milk kefir: a particularly easily digestible preparation made by fermenting kefir seeds in milk, which boosts the immune system
- pickles: gherkins, lemons, cucumbers, onions, turnips, beets, carrots, radishes, etc. that are fermented
- tempeh: Indonesian specialty, it is a paste made of fermented soybeans
- miso: one of the many fermented Asian specialties, it is a fermented soybean paste
- kimchi: a traditional Korean dish made of fermented chilies and vegetables
- fermented cabbage: found in sauerkraut
With regard to prebioticsyou can find them in dietary fiber, where they are naturally present. Fibers are found in all plant foods such as fruits and vegetables, or in legumes and cereals. Note that their content can vary greatly depending on the plant! If you wish to enrich your diet with fiber, here is our selection of plants naturally rich in prebiotics to choose from:
- banana: for easier digestion, eat it when ripe,
- chicory: opt for chicory leaves in salads for example!
- artichokes: nothing better with a little vinaigrette!
- endive: in a salad with walnuts and Roquefort cheese, a delight for the taste buds and the stomach!
- leek: naturally rich in fiber, it is easy to digest
- asparagus: the super food with the highest antioxidant content
- garlic: it has the power to detoxify the liver and also contains adenosine, a powerful vasodilator that boosts blood circulation
- onion: rich in fiber, peel it under cold water to avoid crying!
For more information:
To be read as a novel: The Discreet Charm of the Gut by Giulia Enders, which explains everything about our intestinal microbiota and the virtues of a good digestion on the immune system and on our daily health.