6 Gentle Probiotic Facial Cleansers To Support Your Skin’s Microbiome During the Harsh Days of Winter

Your cleanser needs to walk a fine line. It’s tasked with cleaning your skin, but has to do so without stripping it of moisture and key nutrients. Over-cleansing is one of the easiest ways to wreck your moisture barrier and throw off your microbiome—aka the ecosystem of good bacteria that lives on the surface of your skin and keeps it functioning properly—so securing a face wash that’s gentle yet effective is key. Even better? Using one that includes probiotics, prebiotics, or postbiotics that balance your microbiome, keeping your skin healthy and strong.

“Your skin microbiome is the balance of bacteria and yeast on your skin surface that keeps your skin healthy,” saysAngela Lamb, MD, an associate professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital. “Finding that correct balance really makes sure that you have a healthy glow, as well as keeping redness and dryness under control.”

The six probiotic facial cleansers below help maintain that balance by feeding the skin’s microbiome, keeping the skin barrier strong and healthy.

6 probiotic facial cleansers to keep your skin microbiome happy

Good Light Cosmic Dew Water Cleanser — $18.00

This pH-balanced, hydrating cleanser is packed with probiotics to support the microbiome and reduce skin sensitivity. Plus, it contains hydrating glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which are both humectants that help to heal the skin barrier. Finally, it includes seaweed to deeply cleanse while plumping and rejuvenating skin.

The Nue Co Barrier Culture Cleanser — $42.00

This Barrier Culture cleanser includes the holy trinity of microbiome care: prebiotics to feed the good bacteria, probiotics to repopulate levels of good bacteria, and postbiotics to treat and condition the skin. Plus, it’s a soap-free, sulfate-free foaming gel that lifts away makeup, debris, and pollution while balancing pH levels and retaining moisture.

Naturopathica Marshmallow Probiotic Sensitivity Soothing Cream Cleanser — $64.00

If you prefer a creamy cleanser, turn to this one from Naturopathica. Designed for sensitive skin, it soothes irritation with marshmallows, microalgae, and probiotic lysate. The cleanser also increases skin hydration, reinforces the moisture barrier, and conditions skin.

Glowbiotics MD Probiotic Revitalizing Cleanser — $36.00 to $83.00

Get your face clean with this light and airy foaming cleanser that’s made with vitamin E and aloe to hydrate and soothe along with prebiotics and probiotics to balance the skin. The probiotic used is beta-glucan which is derived from oat. It repairs skin and stimulates collagen production. The formula also includes anti-microbial safflower oil and antioxidant-rich lime extract.

Eminence Organic Skin Care Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser — $48.00

Purify and hydrate your skin with this Eminence Organics cleanser. It’s made with bacteria-neutralizing tea tree oil, sebum-reducing willow bark, exfoliating lactic acid, and revitalizing cucumber juice. Plus, it includes probiotic-rich yogurt to balance the skin.

Tula Skincare Gentle Sensitive Skin Cleansing Milk — $34.00

This milky face cleanser gently removes the day’s makeup and debris, leaving the skin clean yet soft and conditioned. It’s made with probiotic extracts, colloidal oatmeal, aloe, ginger, and cucumber to treat even the most sensitive and irritated skin. Plus, it’s fragrance-free sulfate-free, non-comedogenic, and hypoallergenic.

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