So I've been eating a few too many croissants and slices of pizza lately, my two favorite things in the whole wide world.  If I could healthily exist on these two foodstuffs, I would and I would want for nothing.  Unfortunately, that's not the case.  And besides just making me fat, this diet paired with a few extra bottles of easy drinking rose, has my face seeing better days.  Even a product obsessed, over masking professional like myself goes through bouts of bad skin.  Add to that some hormonal changes, because bodies are weird, and you're looking at a full on breakout across my jaw line.  But I'm not worried.  I have the most effective treatment up my sleeve and because it's so tried and true, I thought I'd share.

PROBIOTICS!

Just in case some of you are new to this, I'll break it down. Also if you know me, you're already familiar with my mild obsession with microbes, so I'm jumping on the opportunity to talk about them at length.

Probiotics are microorganisms that provide numerous benefits when consumed in adequate amounts.  They're the same "active cultures" or "good bacteria" that make yogurt and keffir so great for you.  Probiotics are found naturally in fermented foods and can also be taken as supplements.  But your body, specifically your gut, is already teeming with them.  This is called your intestinal microbiota.  A typical person has more than 500 different species of bacteria inside them and it's been said that there are more microbes inside of a human than there are stars in the sky (something like over 100 TRILLION!).  To put that in perspective, there are more stars in the sky than ALL the grains of sand on ALL of earth's beaches. Is your mind blown yet?

These microbes perform all kinds of beneficial functions, most notably, they aid in digestion by breaking down and absorbing foods in your gut, such as turning sugar polymers into simple glucose, or acidifying the colon to normalize bowel movements (yep! these little buddies help you poop), they eliminate gas, sweeten breath, and break down hard to digest things like dairy. But new research is showing they do way way more.  80% of your immune system is in your digestive tract!  Scientists are beginning to call it "The Second Brain."  Studies are showing microbes can ease symptoms of depression, schizophrenia, and even autism.  Your gut can even produce Gaba, a neurotransmitter that sends chemical messages to the brain.  Cray! 

However, there's "bad" bacteria in there too.  Together the good and the bad form an ecosystem in your intestinal tract.  Usually the "good" bacteria can keep the "bad" in check but sometimes there's an imbalance of too much of a certain type of fungus, yeast or bacteria. This can cause all kinds of problems, even skin conditions!  See where I'm going with this?!  This is where taking a probiotic or eating foods high in natural probiotics can help bring the ratio of "good" to "bad," or rather, beneficial to not beneficial microbes, back to a healthy balance.  Taking probiotics can reduce flu and colds, treat colic, colitis, kidney stones and liver disease, battle cancer, lower cholesterol, help you lose weight and... wait for it... improve acne!

So now you're going to start taking a probiotic everyday, right?! But wait, theres more. 

YOU CAN PUT IT ON YOUR FACE!

Not only are these microbes good inside of you, but when used topically, they can treat and kill bacteria in acne, fungal infections and other skin disorders.

Here's what you do:

• Break open a probiotic capsule.

• Mix the powdery contents with a tiny bit of purified water to make a paste.

• Better yet, use a Dairy Original Bio-K instead

• Apply this to affected area. I like to spot treat.

• Leave on for 2 hours or, for best results, over night.

This can be done multiple nights in a row.  However, you'll see results after the first use.  Redness and inflammation will be significantly reduced and your life will be changed forever!

Some tips when buying probiotics...

When taking a probiotic supplement you want it to be effective.  Look for probiotics with at least 10 billion active cultures.  Remember how there's over 100 trillion microbes inside of you?  Adding only a few million to the mix is't going to make a dent.

A Few Favorites

VSL #3 112.5 Billion 

This is the Big Guns of probiotics.  I recommend taking these during a round of antibiotics, prior to and during surgery or if you're having and major GI distress.

Bio-K Plus Dairy Liquid  25 Billion

This is my go to for topical use because it's already in liquid form. Get the Original for topical use.  No one needs strawberry flavor on their face.

Bio-K Capsules 50 Billion

Great to take every other day for support.

Jarrow Formulas Saccharomyces Boulardii + MOS 5 Billion (take two pills for 10 Billion)

The majority of my supplements are from Jarrow. They're a great company back by a team of scientists so you know you're getting quality.  This blend is particularly great for GERD or other esophageal inflammation.

Culturelle Extra Strength Digestive Health Daily Formula 20 Billion

This is my cost effective go to.  You can find it at most drug stores.

Now That You're Obsessed With Microbes...

If this has piqued your interest and you're wanting to learn more about the trillions of bugs inside you, here's some recommended reading/listening/watching:

I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life by Ed Young

Found My Fitness Podcast/YouTube - How The Gut Microbiota Effects Our Health 

Dr. Axe - Probiotics Benefits, Foods and Supplements 

Bio-K Plus's Website - They break it down at length if you're wanting to know more

Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.