PRODUCTS I 🖤 AND BELIEVE IN : Dr. Brandt Hydro Biotic Recovery Sleeping Mask 💤

What are probiotics? Probiotics are foods or supplements that contain the type of "good bacteria" that inhabit our bodies and help keep us healthy. The World Health Organization defines these good bacteria as “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host”. That sounds like Invasion of the Body Snatchers level stuff! In fact, there are about 10 times as many microbial (or non-human) cells in the human body as there are human cells! These health-boosting microorganisms are key to proper digestion, enhanced immune function, weight loss, a reduced risk of disease — and even healthier, better quality skin. Taking care of your gut, and the friendly bacteria that reside there, may be one of the most important things you can do for your health. I take the popular Nutrition Now PB-8 probiotic supplement each morning that claims to contain 14 billion good bacteria in the form of lactobacillus & bifidodbacterium species. I don't know if 14 billion is a good number of bacteria or not. It's a good number on a bank statement, so it sounds like a damn good number of bacteria to me! Besides, aren't they really small? 🤪

I take my morning vitamins with a probiotic oat drink shot from Good Belly.

But what about probiotics in skin care? 

It's becoming increasingly popular and commonplace in topical skincare treatments, and is believed to be key to maintaining overall skin health — from the outside in. For a solid understanding of the role probiotics may play in skin health, as with all my research in regards to skin and skin care, I must first turn to my skincare muse, Paula Begoun! About probiotics in skin care, Paula says, "Probiotics include various strains of uniquely helpful bacteria that occur naturally on skin and that can be applied via probiotic skincare products. Probiotics work with prebiotics, carbohydrates that serve as a food source so the probiotics can optimally do their job of protecting and nurturing your skin." Yes, Paula, yes. You always know the right thing to say! 👍🏼👍🏼

The new Dr. Brandt Hydro Biotic recovery sleeping mask is a great way to incorporate healthy probiotics into your skincare regimen.

Believing in the role probiotics can play in our overall skin health, I was excited to try the new Hydro Biotic Recovery Sleeping Mask from Dr. Brandt. The treatment is one of two innovations in Dr. Brandt's new Biotic range. First, I love a good sleep mask even more than I love a good sleep! And this one is everything I dreamed it would be...and more! Dr. Brandt claims that "this leave-on mask works through the night to reduce redness and signs of irritation while restoring hydration to dry skin in 24 hours. Skin wakes up with a natural glow, looking and feeling refresh, soothed, nourished, and hydrated."  They had me at "reduce redness."

Hydro Biotic Recovery Sleeping Mask contains a proprietary complex that’s intended to "optimize the skin’s ecosystem by balancing naturally occurring flora on the skin’s surface while fortifying the skin barrier." That aligns perfectly with what I know and believe about the effects probiotics can and likely have on skin. The formula's oligosaccharide, lactococcus ferment lysate and yogurt powder indeed help to restore skin’s flora and natural pH levels. But Hydro Biotic goes beyond balancing and fortifying the skin. It actually goes a long way to soothing signs of irritation including redness and sensitivity. I love how calm and even my complexion appears in the morning. (I look like I slept!) Plus, the Hydro Biotic mask deeply moisturizes skin with a blend of glycerin, vitamin E, rapeseed oil, and honey — my skin loves honey! 🍯🐝!!!

Not to suddenly sound too shallow, but I think my favorite thing about the formula is sensorial — its texture and smell are sublime. Hydro Biotic is a thick, luxe gel-cream, a really unique texture that I'm hard pressed to relate to anything else I've come across. I guess it's pudding like — or maybe closer to a flan. Yes, it's that decadent. And the smell is next level iiiiiiincredible. (A sleep mask really should smell great, tho!) As the last step in my PM routine, I love how it feels on my skin right before bed. Each morning, while I have no concrete proof that my skin flora is rebalanced, I know my skin looks and feels great — calm, even, moist, plump, and perhaps most important of all, with no signs of irritation or redness whatsoever. Take your probiotics and don’t sleep on this mask!

🖤 SKINCARMA 

This movie scared the shit out of me.