The Power of Probiotics and Kombucha for Acne
On top of all that, kombucha also contains healthy bacteria known as probiotics. A “mother” culture called the symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts (or SCOBY) is combined with sugar and tea to ferment kombucha. During this process, the kombucha becomes infused with live bacteria…but don’t freak out! These good bacteria are similar to ones that already live all around your body.
You probably don’t think about your colon very often, but it turns out that there a million reasons why you should! Your gut is host to a massive microbiome of bacteria. These microscopic worker bees help break down food and keep harmful bacteria in check. The entire system is oh-so-delicately balanced, and it doesn’t take much to throw the whole thing out of whack.
Unfortunately, imbalances in your gut do much more than lead to tummy troubles. Research has linked digestive health to loads of other health problems, including reduced immunity, chronic inflammation and—you guessed it—skin issues.
By drinking kombucha, you’re adding more happy little bacteria to your digestive system that can go to work healing your skin from the inside out. The kombucha benefits just keep on coming!
Probiotics are believed to help banish blemishes in a few cool ways:
- Reduce inflammation: Probiotics reduce internal and external inflammation by keeping your immune system healthy and reducing the number of inflammatory cells buzzing around. This means they might help make that angry red zit look a lot less furious and inflamed!
- Improve skin barrier function: Friendly bacteria help restore and strengthen your skin barrier. This basically means that the cells of your skin are stronger and healthier and let less of the bad stuff in, so it doesn’t settle and cause massive breakouts. When your skin barrier is damaged, your face might feel dry and irritated. When it’s healthy and intact, your skin will feel smooth, plump and blemish-free.
- Kick harmful bacteria to the curb: Probiotics put a stop to the growth of harmful bacteria, which is exactly what’s happening on your face when you break out. After donning their superhero capes, these bacteria strengthen your intestinal walls, preventing what’s known as “leaky gut” (eww!!). This stops nasties from getting into your bloodstream and doing all sorts of bad stuff to your body and skin.
- Helps manage stress: Gut health and mental health are also closely related! Probiotics reduces stress, which is one of the biggest triggers for adult acne breakouts. When your levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) get too high, inflammation, excess sebum production and resultant pimples are sure to follow. But, when you’re eating healthy foods, and your gut microbiome is happy and healthy, you’re bound to feel happy and healthy too. Essentially, drink some booch, stay zen, and look fresh.
B is for “Beauty Vitamins”
There’s more than probiotics in kombucha, too. Aside from all of its probiotic drink benefits, kombucha also contains a host of vitamins, many of which are part of the vitamin B complex.
B vitamins are true powerhouse vitamins for your body. The different B vitamins turn food into energy, regulate your metabolism and keep your nervous system working. But wait, there’s more! B vitamins are also known as “beauty vitamins” because they are freakin’ AWESOME for cell growth and development. This helps keeps cells that are constantly regenerating healthy, like your hair, nails and skin.
Sadly your body isn’t all that great at storing B vitamins, so you need to get enough every day to keep things chuggin’ along. Without enough vitamin B, you are more likely to suffer some serious skin issues, including dryness, wrinkles and acne! ACK!
Kombucha is rich in B vitamins—specifically vitamin B1, B6 and B12. Together, these vitamins help reduce bodily inflammation, lower your stress levels and counteract breakouts, leaving you with healthy, smooth and “B”-eautiful skin.