Postbiotics in your skincare

If you have looked at the ingredient list of The Functional Skin’s Isobel Moisturiser before, you may have noticed the ingredient “Dermabiotics” and wondered what it actually means.

To put it simply, Dermabiotics are postbiotic ingredients designed to support the skin microbiome and strengthen the skin barrier.

And honestly, I think this area of skincare is one of the most exciting developments we have seen in years.

For a long time, skincare focused heavily on removing things from the skin.

Removing oil. Removing bacteria. Removing pigment. Removing texture.

But modern skin science is now showing us that healthy skin is not sterile skin. Your skin is home to an entire ecosystem of microorganisms called the skin microbiome, and this microbiome plays a huge role in how healthy, resilient and calm your skin is.

When this ecosystem becomes disrupted, we often start seeing inflammation, dehydration, sensitivity, eczema, breakouts and impaired barrier function.

Over cleansing, harsh exfoliants, environmental stress, pollution and aggressive skincare routines can all contribute to this imbalance.

This is where postbiotics become incredibly interesting.

Unlike probiotics, which are live bacteria, postbiotics are beneficial compounds created from the fermentation process of probiotics. These include things like peptides, enzymes, fermented lysates and bioactive molecules that help support skin function without needing live bacteria inside the product.

Research is now showing that postbiotics may help reduce inflammation, support the skin barrier, improve hydration levels and assist in maintaining a healthier microbiome balance.

This is exactly why I included Dermabiotics within our Isobel Moisturiser.

I formulated Isobel for dry, sensitive and compromised skin types that need genuine barrier support, not just temporary surface hydration.

The Dermabiotic ingredient within the formula works alongside nourishing lipids, humectants and soothing botanical ingredients to support the skin’s natural protective functions.

One thing I love about postbiotic skincare is that it aligns so strongly with my philosophy around skin health.

Instead of aggressively fighting the skin, stripping it or over treating it, we are supporting the skin’s own ecosystem so it can function better naturally.

That does not mean postbiotics are some miracle cure or that they replace medical treatment where needed. I think the skincare industry can sometimes overhype ingredients very quickly. But the research around microbiome supportive skincare is genuinely promising, especially for sensitive, inflamed and barrier impaired skin conditions.

Clinically, I often see the best long term skin results when we focus on calming inflammation and rebuilding barrier function first. Once the skin is healthier and more resilient, concerns like dehydration, redness and sensitivity often improve significantly.

This is why Isobel Moisturiser is one of the products I reach for most in clinic and personally at home. It is not designed to aggressively “change” your skin overnight. It is designed to support healthier functioning skin long term.

Because healthy skin is not just about actives and exfoliation.

Sometimes it is about giving the skin the support it has been missing all along.