Prebiotics act like “food” for our microbiome. When bacteria and other microbes on our skin or in our gut consume prebiotics, they grow, thrive, and multiply.
When we apply a topical prebiotic to the skin’s surface, it supports the growth of beneficial bacteria. This is critical to maintain a healthy skin barrier and to optimize skin health. Examples of prebiotics with topical skin benefits include inulin and alpha-glucan oligosaccharides. Importantly, prebiotics are much more stable than probiotics when it comes to formulating skincare.
From an inside-out approach, focusing on the gut-skin axis, prebiotics can also be added to your diet, and have a profound effect on your gut microbiome, which in turn, supports a healthy gut and immune health. Examples of prebiotics you can add to your diet that support gut health include prebiotic fiber from sources like asparagus, garlic, leeks and onions. However, these fiber sources can often be associated with gas and bloating. More recently, polyphenols from sources like pomegranates and blueberries have been shown to have prebiotic-like effects, supporting a healthy microbial balance in the gut, but without the cons.
When Dr. Whitney Bowe Beauty formulates with prebiotics…
We use a type of prebiotic that we call “smart prebiotics.” We refer to them this way because they specifically nurture the good bacteria that help your skin and gut microbiome thrive.
You will see the two prebiotics in Bowe Glowe™ listed on our ingredient list as “inulin” and “alpha-glucan oligosaccharide.” Our polyphenol blend in Bowe Growe™ has prebiotic-like effects on the gut microbiome.
