“Science is beginning to uncover the critical relationship between good bacteria living on the surface of the skin and a healthy skin. So the “kill all” approach may well be doing a lot more harm than good. …”
Many of us are aware of the benefits of good bacteria in the gut and digestive system, but the concept of healthy bacteria living on the surface of the skin is relatively new. Advances in microscope technology reveal that there are over a trillion bacteria living on your skin, most of which are beneficial. It is clear that there is a symbiotic relationship in place, one that is crucial for the normal functioning of the skin.
There are a number of ways to ensure the skin maintains healthy flora:
- Regulate and maintain the normal pH of skin (4.5 – 5.5) The beneficial bacteria thrive when skin is at normal ph, whereas the opportunistic forms colonise when ph is elevated (which occurs when skin is washed with high alkaline soaps and washes).
- Use mild surfactants that don’t strip the skin of natural oils or raise the pH of the skin. Surfactants such as Cocamidopropyl Betaine (from coconut oil) are much milder than the SLS and sulphated surfactants.
- Avoid chemical disinfectant ingredients such as Triclosan — these obliterate all bacteria on the surface of the skin, creating a barren environment where opportunist colonisers (the bad bacteria) inevitably proliferate. Triclosan also accumulates in our bodies and has been linked to hormone disruption and the emergence of bacteria resistant to antibodies and antibacterial products.
- Supply a prebiotic food source that only the beneficial flora can feed on. This stops the opportunistic bacteria from colonising and improves the skin’s natural ability to keep the balance.
The Pure Beginnings Hygiene Hand Wash contains Citrofresh™, a combination of naturally derived ingredients of Citrus origin, which naturally clean germs and dirt without disrupting the natural environment on the skin.
