Beauty Tips

Want Clear Skin? Here's Why You Should Try Probiotic Supplements

Before you hop on the gut bacteria bandwagon, read this probiotic primer

by Jenn Sinrich | COMMENT

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What Are Probiotics Anyway? Most of us associate the word "bacteria" with slimy, microscopic intruders that are trying to wreak havoc on our bodies. But the reality is not all bacteria are created equal. In fact, there is such a thing as "good bacteria," which we refer to as probiotics, as well as "bad bacteria," which are often referred to as yeast (candida) and parasites.

"These live microorganisms that help make up our microbiome, or world of bacteria that live in and on our body, help prevent bad bacteria from setting up shop," explains Jerome Garden, M.D., the director of the Physicians Laser and Dermatology Institute in Chicago. Now this idea is well-known when it comes to the gut (our intestines have more bacterial cells than human cells). However, this idea of a microbiome with "good" and "bad" bacteria has only recently been expanded to our skin. "Our skin is teeming with bacteria (it is estimated that our skin has approximately one billion microbes per square centimeter), and these bacteria play an important role in our immune system and even skin diseases and aging."

SEE NEXT PAGE: What Gets Bacteria Out of Whack in the First Place?

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