Prebiotics in skincare: what they do, how to use them, best cleanser
What if we told you that caring for your skin starts by feeding the microorganisms that live on it? Sounds odd—but it’s completely true.
Los Prebiotics in skincare are transforming how we understand facial and body care, especially for those with sensitive skin or anyone looking for a gentler yet more effective routine.
What is the skin microbiome and where does it live?
What harms the microbiome most?
Prebiotics: the microbiome’s best allies
Prebiotics vs. Probiotics: what’s the difference?
Key benefits of prebiotics in your skincare routine
Which skin types benefit most from prebiotics?
The power of the first step: Green Soul Prebiotic Cleanser
What is the skin microbiome and where does it live?
Imagine your skin as a neighborhood. On every corner live bacteria, fungi, and other beneficial microorganisms that, when in harmony, keep the streets clean, safe, and well-protected. This invisible community is the skin microbiome, and it lives mainly in the epidermis, especially in the outermost layer (the stratum corneum) and in areas rich in sebaceous glands and hair follicles. And yes—its balance determines whether your skin looks healthy, strong, and radiant.
Its essential roles include
- Maintaining the skin’s natural acidic pH.
- Competing with harmful bacteria to prevent overgrowth.
- Producing natural antimicrobial substances.
- “Training” the skin’s immune system to respond properly.
👉 When the microbiome is balanced, the skin barrier is strong. When it’s disrupted, the skin becomes more prone to dryness, sensitivity, acne, or inflammation.
📌 What harms the microbiome most?
The microbiome is delicate, and certain products can easily throw it off balance:
- Harsh cleansers (alkaline soaps, strong sulfates) → strip away too many lipids and beneficial microorganisms.
- Over-exfoliation → damages the stratum corneum and weakens the ecosystem.
- Antibacterial or highly preserved cosmetics → wipe out good and bad bacteria alike.
That’s why the cleansing step is the most crucial for maintaining a healthy microbiome.
This is where prebiotics in skincare come in—ingredients that “feed” those good neighbors so they can do their job. It may sound strange to say you’re “feeding your skin’s bacteria,” but it’s absolutely true… and your complexion will thank you.
What prebiotics are: the microbiome’s best allies
Prebiotics are compounds that serve as selective food for the skin’s beneficial bacteria. Their role is simple yet powerful:
- Nourish and strengthen friendly microorganisms.
- Support the balance of the skin microbiome
- Reinforce the skin barrier—your first line of defense against external stressors.
Instead of removing bacteria (like harsh cosmetics do), prebiotics enhance the good ones, helping your skin defend itself naturally.
Prebiotics vs. Probiotics: what’s the difference?
They sound similar, but they’re not the same:
-
Probiotics = live microorganisms (the good bacteria themselves).
-
Prebiotics = their food—the “buffet” that keeps them active and happy.
In skincare, prebiotics are more stable and easier to formulate, making them ideal for natural, gentle products like those by UMOA
Key benefits of prebiotics in your skincare routine
- Strengthen the skin barrier → improve resistance to pollutants and external stress.
- Reduce redness and sensitivity → perfect for reactive or atopic-prone skin.
- Balance sebum production → prevent breakouts without drying.
- Stimulate cell renewal → for smoother, brighter, more even skin.
Remember: prebiotics aren’t a passing trend. They’re a new way to understand skincare—from within, grounded in science, respect, and nature.
🌿 Inulin: our star prebiotic
At UMOA, we rely on inulin, a natural prebiotic extracted from chicory root.
👉 How it works:
- Feeds the skin’s beneficial microorganisms.
- Limits the growth of bacteria that can disrupt the microbiome.
- Strengthens the skin barrier, preventing moisture loss and irritation.
The result: balanced, soothed, and healthy-looking skin from the very first step of your routine.
Which skin types benefit most from prebiotics?
Short answer: all of them. But prebiotic skincare is especially helpful for:
- Sensitive or reactive skin, needing calm and protection.
- Dry skin, to restore hydration and rebuild the barrier.
- Acne-prone skin, for balance without irritation.
The power of the first step: Green Soul Prebiotic Cleanser
Every skincare routine starts with cleansing. —and that’s exactly where many sensitive skins lose their balance. Our Green Soul Prebiotic Cleanser is formulated with inulin and natural actives to gently cleanse without disturbing the microbiome.
✨ Benefits of Green Soul Prebiotic Cleanser:
- Deep yet gentle cleansing.
- Soothed, comforted skin with no tightness.
- A reinforced skin barrier from the first use.
- Visible luminosity and freshness.
Microbiome-friendly routine: 👉 cleanser, serum, moisturizer
Because skincare should be simple, effective, and conscious. With every use of Green Soul, you’re not just protecting your skin—you’re joining a movement that goes beyond beauty: Care to Care.
When you choose UMOA, you care for yourself while caring for others.
👉 Discover more about our social impact project
About the author
Pharmacist and co-founder of UMOA Cosmetics, Mafalda Soto has over 15 years of experience researching and caring for one of the most delicate skin types in the world: albinotic skin. Her professional journey has been deeply connected to health and social inclusion for people with albinism in Africa, where she founded the NGO Beyond Suncare, recognized by the United Nations as a “Best Practice” for its work preventing skin cancer and improving access to healthcare for this community.
Through UMOA, Mafalda promotes a new way of understanding cosmetics — effective, respectful, and purpose-driven. Her vision blends scientific innovation with a genuine commitment to conscious care, where every act of beauty can also be an act of solidarity.
Leave a comment