Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1337092
Listen to the ASCP Esty Talk podcast at ascpskincare.com/podcasts 35 ENCOURAGE PROPER NUTRITION A healthy microbiome starts with healthy nutrition. Eat clean, high-ber foods—they're full of prebiotics. Prebiotics contain Žbrous carbohydrates that nourish the good bacteria to help it grow. Examples includeasparagus, garlic, oats, and soybeans. If you eat a diet rich in prebiotics, you'll encourage microbial diversity and promote the growth of healthy bacteria. Consume probiotic-rich foods every day. Although there is no recommended daily requirement for probiotics, health experts recommend consuming approximately 1 billion–10 billion live bacteria cultures (measured in colony-forming units, or CFUs) per day. 2 Get at least one serving of a prebiotic- andprobiotic- rich foodevery day. These foods include Greek yogurt, kombucha, and fermented foods. You can also complement eating probiotic-rich foods with supplements, which can encourage and maintain a healthy community of gut and skin micro†ora. ENCOURAGE PROPER HOME CARE Maintaining a proper home-care regimen supports a healthy skin microbiome. Recommend the correct cleanser. Teach clients to use diligence to protect the skin and its microbiome. Never over-cleanse, and use a cleanser that is cream- or oil-based with an acidic pH. Avoid using antibacterial wipes and soaps, and other products with antimicrobial irritants (sulfates and parabens), as they eradicate all bacteria and leave skin open to irritants and pathogens. Rebalance pH level. Even a gentle cleanser can disrupt the skin's pH, so be sure the cleanser is balanced or use a toner to restore the pH. Microbiome bacteria thrive in acidic environments of around a pH of 5. SKIN PHYSIOLOGY When disrupted, the microbiome's barrier functions can fail, leading to infection and an increase in inflammation.