Best Health – August-September 2019

DON’T FREAK OUT: THERE

are bugs on your skin – and that’s

a good thing. Present in different

areas of the body, including the

gut and mouth, the microbiome is

a naturally occurring ecosystem

made up of trillions of microbes.

“We know that the skin has an

array of bacteria, fungi, viruses

and mites, and they all play a role

in skin health,” says Dr. Lisa

Kellett, a dermatologist and the

owner of DLK on Avenue in

Toronto. “They function to edu-

cate our immune system, and

that’s what they do. We are colo-

nized by micro-organisms, and

these micro-organisms act as a

barrier to prevent the invasion of

bad bugs.”

Scientifically speaking, the

complexities of the skin microbi-

ome are still under investigation.

In the hopes of reaching a better

understanding of sensitive skin,

the French dermocosmetic line

Eau Thermale Avène is one of the

companies that is taking a closer

look. “I think the most important

innovation of 2019 has been the

study of microf lora that reside on

human skin,” says Núria Perez-

Cullell, CEO of Pierre Fabre.

“Today, we know we need these

micro-organisms to have healthy

skin and products that respect the

microf lora,” The result? A sooth-

ing cream made up of minimal

ingredients, packaged in a unique

delivery system.

“We use only seven ingredi-

ents,” says Perez-Cullell. “A

common moisturizer on the

market probably has between 35

and 50. It’s a big difference,

thanks to the sterile cosmetics

technology we’ve developed. We

select the right ingredients, avoid

using ingredients like harsh

preservatives that aren’t good for

sensitive skin and protect steril-

ity during use of the product at

home. There is no contact

between the formula and the air

outside.” The recipe, loaded with

the brand’s famed healing ther-

mal water, is also free of parabens,

fragrance, soy and gluten.

BEAUTY BOTTOM LINE

Choosing gentle products can help

keep your skin’s microbiome

happy. “The biggest concern is

treatments that wipe out the

biome,” says Dr. Kellett. “Some-

times when people use cosmetics,

they get such an irritant reaction

that they actually alter the stra-

tum corneum and make the

microbiome less effective as an

immunological organ.” If you

experience intense inf lammation

or a bad reaction, see a dermatolo-

gist for a proper diagnosis and

treatment plan.

best health AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2019 77

Balanced with

minerals, this water

spray soothes all

types of sensitive,

irritated and fragile

skin on contact.

BIODERMA HYDRABIO

MIST, $14

This rich, non-greasy

cream melts into skin

and provides six hours of

calming hydration.

EAU THERMALE AVÈNE

TOLÉRANCE EXTRÊME

CREAM, $36

This 98 percent naturally

derived, fragrance-free

formula uses coconut to

gently remove debris and

makeup from your skin.

SKINFIX FOAMING OIL

CLEANSER, $3 8

BESTIE