It's a minefield out there, the internet is awash with products, ‘experts’, opinions, reels and reels of routines, peel off masks, LED light, eye patches, wrinkle patches, rollers, derma-planers, Ice-globes, and so much other noise.
It can be hard to know what products you should be using and what is actually going on with your skin. So let's reign it in.
In order to have a routine that really works for you and your individual skin, it's important to have a personalised skin routine. You can have an in person or an online skin consultation to determine what skincare and/or treatments you should use. But there are some things you can implement without a consultation.
We all have a skin microbiome, and dysbiosis of this can lead to exasperation of skin concerns. Dysbiosis of our microbiome occurs very often and due to many factors - UV rays, pollution, the use of, and over use of certain skin care products can all wreak havoc on our skin's natural balance.
For example, if you have irregular pigmentation, the application of products containing exfoliating acids and retinoids may be beneficial. However if not supporting the skin's microbiome alongside this, you can actually make the condition worse. It's all about balance. But alas, we are not so good at balance when it comes to our skin. So many of my clients over the years have asked me for recommendations for a scrub, or asked what’s the strongest exfoliator they can have or what’s the strongest retinol percentage they can use. I have clients and friends, even today, who still ignore my pleas for them to respect and protect they're beautiful skins and stop scraping, scrubbing and exfoliating the bejesus out of them.
It always comes back to this fact. The skin is our largest organ, an organ that excretes, secretes, expresses our emotions, regulates our temperature, keeps us safe and houses millions of microorganisms. We should treat it with kindness, or it's going to lash out.
One way we can be kind to our skin is to use a product that will boost the microbiome.
The Sásta Skin Health Serum has become a staple in my routine since its launch and will be a staple in my clients routines going forward. This microbiome boosting topical supplement has filled a gap and solved a problem for me and my clients (I hope yee are reading this and washed your faces this morning!) As a leave-on microbiome booster it will be much more effective than wash off products and is remarkable as a standalone product or used in conjunction with others. It will aid in the improvement of redness and sensitivity, irritation, dehydration and dryness, fine lines, breakouts and will help improve healing. We are still learning about the amazing world of the microbiome but the evidence is flowing and the science is there. A 2020 study* found that the use of microbiome boosters can reduce the levels of the cultibacterius acnes, which has been proven to be a contributing cause of acne. A 2016 study** found that the use of microbiome boosters topically can help with reducing oxidative stress(a cause of pigmentation amongst others) and also help to repair UV damage. The use of microbiome boosters have also been shown to increase the production of collagen*** and reduce the depth of lines. So its a big YES from me.
If using this as a standalone serum, simply cleanse your skin with a gentle cleanser, and apply one full dropper to the skin, followed by a generous application of SPF. You will notice an improvement in the colour, texture, clarity and smoothness of your skin once your microbiome has been given a boost.
If you have an already established routine, a microbiome boosting serum is a best friend to that routine and will slip right in. Use it as your step 2, always after cleansing and follow with your other steps. By using this as part of your routine it will aid the skin's ability to perform better while being exposed to the other ingredients in your products. For example, if you are using ingredients that will alter the PH of your skin in order to treat certain concerns(think exfoliating acids for hyperpigmentation), the microbiome boosting serum will ensure your biome remains healthy and help to minimise the risk of your skin responding negatively to high levels of ingredients.
Should you be undergoing acne treatment, whether it be the use of prescription topical applications or over the counter, the microbiome usually takes a hammering. These products are not selective in the microbes they attack. Up until now, you had to grin and bear the negative effects and hope your skin sensitivities would eradicate themselves over time, or with the use of ceramides, but now we can help support the skin through this journey by supporting the microbiome!! Should you be that person whose skin is forever itchy, red and reactive, slot this into the routine and see what it does for you. You may very well have found your skin bff.
I'm not one for 17 skincare steps, standing on your head in the loo with 11 products between your eyebrows. I'm all about science, what works, what doesn't and what we should be investing in. I don't want my clients or myself to spend a single penny unless it's going to help. If your skin routine is simple you are a lot more likely to maintain it, and consistency is key. Here are 3 sample routines to show how simple it is to bring a microbiome boosting serum into your life.
Sample A. A routine to improve overall colour, clarity and hydration
Step 1. Cleanse with a gentle creamy cleanser and rinse with a facecloth and tepid water
Step 2. Apply 1 dropper of Sásta Microbiome Booster serum
Step 3. Liberally apply your favourite SPF/night cream
Step 4. LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE knowing your microbiome is in good hands
Sample B. A routine to combat hyperpigmentation and dehydration
Step 1. Cleanse with a gentle creamy cleanser and rinse with a facecloth and tepid water
Step 2. Apply 1 dropper of Sásta Microbiome Booster serum
Step 3. Apply 2 drops of pigmentation specific serum of choice
Step 4. Liberally apply your favourite SPF/Night cream
Step 5. LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE knowing your microbiome is in good hands
Sample C. A routine to combat a grade 1 acnified skin.
Step 1. Cleanse with a gentle creamy cleanser and rinse with a facecloth and tepid water
Step 2. Apply 1 dropper of Sásta Microbiome Booster serum
Step 3. Apply 2 drops of acne specific serum of choice
Step 4. Liberally apply your favourite SPF/Night cream
Step 5. LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE knowing your microbiome is in good hands
In short, respecting your skin is in! We are moving past the sandblasting days of microdermabrasion ,and facial scrubs, past the 17 useless products on our bathroom shelves, and past wasting money and time on fads. Treating your microbiome with the respect it deserves will serve you well today and your face of the future will thank you.
Grainne Callaghan
*Wiley Online Library - Acne Treatments: Future Trajectories by C. Dessinioti and B. Dreno
**PubMed.gov - 2016 study by Divya Sharma, Mary-Margaret Kober, Whitney P Bowe
*** Kang YM, Hong CH, Kang SH, et al. Anti-photoaging effect of plant extract fermented with Lactobacillus buchneri on CCD-986sk fibroblasts and HaCaT keratinocytes. J Funct Biomater. 2020;11(1):3.