We've all heard of taking probiotics—whether in food or in supplement form—to keep our gut and digestive system healthy. But recently, probiotics have been taking center stage in the form of skincare.

Advanced scientific findings have recently discovered the benefits probiotics offer. Along with ever-increasing public interest and demand, a new crop of topical beauty products—cleansers, moisturizers, masks, and serums—has swept the skincare market.

So how does probiotic skincare work? On top of our skin's physical barrier lives a layer of natural bacteria that helps promote healthy skin function. Overzealous cleansing, harsh exfoliation, and chemical peels can often deplete the skin's probiotic population, leading to conditions such as eczema, rosacea, and acne—all of which create inflammation, the driving factor of skin aging.

Topical products enhanced with probiotics have a calming effect on the skin, thanks to its "good bacteria" that help cells flourish. Probiotics work as essential housekeepers, boosting cell immunity, maintaining a healthy surface barrier, and secreting antibacterial and anti-inflammatory substances that help with conditions like acne, eczema, and rosacea.