BRANDS I LOVE: LAYERS PROBIOTIC SKINCARE – BEST LACTIC ACID SERUM, BEST PROBIOTIC MOISTURIZER FOR MICROBIOME HEALTH
It was kind of a cool week for me. A game-changer literally and figuratively.
I had only one migraine day last week and it wasn’t debilitating. Over the past month or so, I’ve really turned a corner.
I often feel like I’ve been on the verge of returning to my normal, healthy, migraine-free self — but in actuality, a lot of it was wishful thinking.
The truth is that the last 27 months have been really tough. I do try to put a positive spin on it just to maintain my own sanity and not sink into the darkness. But while I’ve experienced migraine-free days from time to time (usually no more than one or two a week) they just kept coming. But recently, I have seen a marked decline in the intensity of my migraines. And it’s not all in my head!
So the fact that they haven’t struck with such regular frequency over a sustained period of a few weeks is proof I’m recovering. I can’t let my guard down and have to keep up the fight, but to finally see real progress and real relief is a real #blessing.
In another blatant act of normalcy, I went to another big sporting event this week. And I mean big. The Brooklyn Nets were playing the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA playoffs at nearby Barclay’s Center. It was an historic game. As reported by the New York Post:
Kevin Durant is not human. The Nets superstar made playoff history with 49 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists in Brooklyn’s Game 5 win Tuesday night. The NBA’s best player did it when the Nets needed it most — with James Harden effectively playing on one legand Kyrie Irving out with a right ankle sprain. It’s a performance that will go down in the history books and one that could help propel the Nets to the Eastern Conference finals, if they can win one of the next two games against the Bucks.
The crowd was alive and you could feel the energy (and the noise!) deep into your soul. The arena had its own rhythm, its own heartbeat. It was an exhilarating experience. Even though the Brooklyn Nets aren’t my team. As painful as it is to admit, I’m a New York Knicks fan. And the Knicks are perpetual losers, having only won the NBA Championship twice; the last time was in 1973.
I didn’t actually grow up loving basketball or even have an awareness of it as a kid. Baseball was what I loved and the winningest New York Yankees were my team. To date, the Yankees have won the World Series 27 times in their 28-year history.
In fact, being a fan of the Yankees (and Star Trek!) defined my entire childhood in Connecticut! I acquired a passion for basketball after I moved to New York 19 years ago. (How has it been almost two decades already?!)
Thus is life. We morph, take on new passions, shed old ones. But peel back my layers and there’s a pin-striped Yankees uniform under there somewhere with an Enterprise insignia pin!
Before I get to the skincare stuff, I wanted to share that I’m collaborating once again this week with New York-based photographer Antonio Jefferson — one of my most motivated and inspiring friends. Antonio shot several of the Layers product images for the blog, including today’s stunning cover shot!
Be sure to check out Antonio’s portfolio of fashion and product images on his website here — and follow his journey on his IG page, too! And, if you’re in New York City this coming Saturday, June 26th, drop by his studio at 432 Austin Place in the Bronx and pick up a few cool, one-of-a-kind tees, caps and hoodies in Antonio’s first-ever sample sale. I’ll be there with an enticing skincare collaboration which I’ll feature on next week’s blog.
The skincare stuff starts here.
I first featured this innovative skincare range that cares for the body’s microbiome on the Skincarma Blog several weeks ago when I reviewed the Layers Probiotic Serum. It’s one of the most innovative and pro-skin health treatments that I’ve come across this year.
So, yeah, Layers has had me intrigued for a bit. I’ve been having so much fun exploring the new brand and its innovative science — and am excited to take a deep dive into its microbiome-friendly ethos.
Layers was founded by Rachel Behm, a beauty industry veteran with extensive experience and knowledge of the microbiome and the link between gut health and skin health. Over the past several weeks, Rachel and I have connected over our shared passion for gut health; mine, of course, being related to my drive to understand and conquer my migraines.
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to pick Rachel’s brain on emerging microbiome science, the link between the gut microbiome and the skin, and how what’s going on in your gut can affect the way your skin behaves each day.
Excerpts from my conversation with Rachel:
Carmine: How did you come up with the idea for Layers?
Rachel: The idea for Layers came to be when I learned of the human microbiome project, and the profound connection between gut health and skin health. The Human Microbiome Project was conducted over 10 years and studied the interactions between humans and their microbiomes to health-related outcomes. Ranging from obesity to mental health to skin health. It produced 4 terabytes of data that is available to the public to continue to advance this field (much like the human genome project did almost 2 decades ago). 50% of the cells in and on your body are bacteria…and this project taught us a lot more about their importance in human health.
Carmine: How did you become interested in the microbiome?
Rachel: I just so happened to work as a lab tech on the human genome project many years ago, and when learning about the Human Microbiome Project, I saw that it had the same potential to change healthcare outcomes for the better. And one element of that being overall skin health.
I’m always on the hunt for true skincare innovation that stands apart from marketing fluff and Layers feels like a genuine breakthrough in the science of the skin and, more specifically, in the way skincare interacts with the skin to promote optimal skin health.
Rachel gets right to the heart of it — the reason she created Layers in the first place:
“I created Layers to honor the interconnectedness of our body's systems and how they work together to reveal skin's natural glow. And I promise that we’ll advance along with the burgeoning field of microbiome science. After almost a decade in the industry, I saw fads come and go. But what has stayed true is our skin’s natural ability to optimize its own health – rooted in our gut and skin microbiome. Like the soil in our farmland needs to be balanced and nourished for crops to grow, our gut and skin bacteria need to be diverse, balanced, and flourishing to keep our bodies and our skin at their healthiest.”
What Is the Microbiome and What Is the Link Between the Gut and the Skin?
I’ve been exploring the microbiome for the better part of the past year; in particular, its effects on skin health have intrigued me. Randomly, I’ve noticed that my skin seems to act up for no reason. And, of course, my migraines can strike at any time — again, seemingly for no reason. It was only over the past six weeks that I’ve really begun to grasp the existence of a gut-brain link.
Rachel Behm, CEO and Founder of Layers explains the body’s microbiomes and the link between our gut and our skin this way:
Your microbiome is made up of trillions of microbes found in your gut and on your skin, working as your skin’s natural defense system. Creating the right environment for the microbiome to be diverse and balanced (in a state of homeostasis), while also protecting it, leads to improved skin resilience from all stressors thrown at it, from aging to weather.
Gut Microbiome: In your gut, microbes digest lactose and fiber, make amino acids and vitamins, and even regulate your immune system. Your gut microbiome contributes to digestion, healthy weight, immunity, and glowing skin.
Skin Microbiome: On your skin, microbes protect you from internal and external stressors. They maintain the skin’s pH, regulate immune response, and defend against pathogens. Healthy skin relies on a healthy relationship with these microbes to prevent skin inflammation, causing redness, dehydration, dullness, and loss of elasticity.
The Gut-Skin Connection (gut-skin axis): The microbes in and on your body outnumber your human cells by a factor of 3:1. And your gut and skin are home to the largest communities of these microbes. A profound relationship exists between your gut and skin. Amazingly, these two seemingly separate systems talk to one another through your microbiome, the trillions of good bacteria whose micro-language is responsible for everything from releasing natural antibiotics to supporting our immune system to improving hydration and supporting collagen production.
Let’s have a look at the four-product Layers regimen — a complete routine for balancing and nourishing the body’s microbiomes, both the gut microbiome and skin microbiome…
Layers | Probiotic Serum
I love everything about Layers. The way the four-product regimen cares for microbiome health – both inside and out – is truly exceptional. But hands down, the product that has excited me most is the Layers Probiotic Serum.
The silky, milky treatment is infused with a pro-skin health blend of lactobacillus ferment, Lactic Acid and botanical extracts and oils that treat skin with TLC.
My skin loves Lactic Acid. It’s the single alpha hydroxy acid that my skin responds well to — as it smooths skin’s surface texture and enhances my complexion’s reflectivity.
What Is Lactic Acid and What Does Lactic Acid Do for the Skin?
Lactic Acid is my favorite of the range of alpha hydroxy acids. My skin tolerates it often and at any concentration. That’s not something I can say about its more powerful AHA partner in crime, Glycolic Acid.
But what makes it so uniquely effective? There’s a great piece on the benefits of Lactic Acid written by the experts on the Paula’s Choice Research Team titled, Lactic Acid for Skin. You can catch the full article here.
Lactic acid is a skin care ingredient that quickly delivers numerous benefits when applied in a well-formulated exfoliating product. When used in a pH-correct formula (whether designed to be left on skin or in a high-strength peel that’s rinsed after several minutes), lactic acid works by gently breaking the bonds that hold dead, dry skin cells to the surface.
If you’re using a rinse-off peel with lactic acid, do so once weekly or every other week. Apply the peel to cleansed skin, leave on for the designated amount of time, rinse, and follow with the rest of your skincare routine.
These dead cells shed on their own when we’re young, but sun damage, aging, and certain skin issues can slow or even stop this process, leading to a buildup of dead skin that creates a dull, older-looking complexion. Regular use of an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) like lactic acid can turn this around.
As with other acids, research shows lactic acid’s ability to exfoliate effectively depends on the product’s acid concentration, with amounts between 5-12% having reliably impressive results.
My favorite pro-skin health treatments are some of the best Lactic Acid serums, toners and essences. I have used at least one of these, and sometimes all three at once, in my daily routines. As you may know, one of my favorite Lactic Acid essences is the Kat Burki Goji Essence, which I reviewed on the blog recently.
Kat Burki’s Goji Essence is a remarkable fermented acid toner that lights up my skin on contact. I always know when I’ve used it because I’ll catch myself glowing hours later in the bathroom mirror. Psst…you can catch my review of it here.
So, I was destined to be really into Layers’ skin-renewing Probiotic Serum. And I do love everything about it — from its gentle retexturing effect to its silky texture. In fact, the texture is lit. It sinks right into skin and is quite easily layered.
I love how well-tolerated it is by the skin as it gently exfoliates the surface layer without disrupting the skin’s delicate microbiome.
In addition to the serum’s Lactic Acid content, it contains a probiotic strain in the form of Lactobacillus Ferment. Layers says it’s a protective active that “fortifies your skin barrier against external stressors while soothing and hydrating. It's known to help repair damaged skin, rebalance skin flora, and reduce harmful bacteria growth.”
There’s also an antioxidant power pair — a botanical extract and a non-fragrant plant oil: Orobanche Rapum Extract and Meadowfoam Oil. If you’re unfamiliar with the potent benefits of Meadowfoam Oil, it’s the lone oil featured in the Laneige Cream Skin Mist — one of the best moisturizing toners.
According to the Paula’s Choice Research Team, Meadowfoam Seed Oil is among the best active ingredients for the skin.
“Limnanthes alba (meadowfoam) seed oil is a non-fragrant, edible plant oil originally developed as an agricultural crop in the 1950s. This plant oil is exceedingly stable because it is primarily composed of long chain fatty acids, the type most resistant to rancidity when exposed to oxygen. Among plant oils, meadowfoam has the highest concentration (95%) of these highly stable fatty acids, making it a valuable addition to products that would otherwise be prone to spoiling quickly.”
Think of the Layers Probiotic Serum as TLC in a bottle. I’ve experienced no irritation, just a healthy, glowing complexion. Even when using it twice daily.
SHOP THE BLOG: For a limited time, save $10 off every order $49+ with code SKINCARMA10. Enter the code to purchase the Layers Probiotic Serum for $79 (reg. $89) here.
SKINCARMA X LAYERS EXCLUSIVE!
FOR A LIMITED TIME, SAVE $10 OFF EVERY LAYERS ORDER OF $49+
Enter code SKINCARMA10 at checkout.
Layers | Immunity Moisturizer
Like the Layers Probiotic Serum, the brand’s Immunity Moisturizer is infused with lactobacillus ferment to soothe, balance and nourish the skin — and its surface microbiome.
According to the experts on the Paula’s Choice Research Team, lactobacillus ferment is one of the best actives in skincare. Lactobacillus ferment is a “lab-created, non-living probiotic ingredient made by fermentation of the microorganism Lactobacillus. Applied to skin, it’s been shown to have a potent soothing effect that in turn strengthens skin’s ability to defend itself from aggressors.
“Research has also revealed that this ferment may play a role in helping skin’s microbiome to maintain a healthy mix of flora, a benefit that may reduce the risk or visible severity of several common, often uncomfortable skin conditions.”
The Layers Immunity Moisturizer is a clean, vegan thick-whipped cream with a relatively tight ingredient list that comprises fewer than 20 ingredients.
Over the past six weeks or so, I've been testing it out in climates varying from hot, humid sweltering days to more temperate, even chill nights. It’s performed well throughout — and has been supremely comfortable on my skin.
It’s actually quite a remarkable formula. In addition to the skin-nourishing and balancing lactobacillus ferment, there’s antioxidant-rich Sunflower Seed Oil and Pomegranate Flower Extract — as well as Meadowfoam Seed Oil, also prominently featured in the Layers Lactic Acid-powered Probiotic Serum.
Antioxidant Milk Thistle is featured as well for its powerful anti-inflammatory benefits that help to calm and replenish the skin. Interestingly, my naturopathic doctor prescribes a Milk Thistle for me each morning so it’s not unfamiliar to me — or to my gut’s microbiome!
As I said, the texture of the Layers Immunity Moisturizer is a thick-whipped cream. But it’s softer than what you’d expect and has the qualities of a richer gel-cream (if that makes sense!).
SHOP THE BLOG: For a limited time, save $10 off every order $49+ with code SKINCARMA10. Enter the code to purchase the Layers Immunity Moisturizer for $39 (reg. $49) here.
SKINCARMA X LAYERS EXCLUSIVE!
FOR A LIMITED TIME, SAVE $10 OFF EVERY LAYERS ORDER OF $49+
Enter code SKINCARMA10 at checkout.
WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW
THE YEAR’S BEST VITAMIN C SERUMS WITH THE ORDINARY, CLINIQUE, BEAUTY STAT & MORE!
ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE
Layers | Balancing Milky Cleanser
In my humble opinion, the cleansing step in a skincare routine is one of the two most important. Along with adequate sun protection, cleansing is essential to skin health. I think of the two as the bookends on a healthy skincare routine. If you start with a proper cleanser and end with an effective sunscreen, everything in between is more effective — and actually matters.
Without sunscreen, of course, even the best anti-aging serums are a waste of time and money. Ahem, you may as well not even bother washing your face! But cleansing? Cleansing sets the stage for everything else you do, everything you apply and the results you see, whether immediate or long-term. When you cleanse, you wipe the slate clean, prime your palette as a painter primes a canvas.
I love cleansing gels, cleansing balms, cleansing oils and cleansing milks. I have rarely met a cleanser that I wasn’t into. But I do have my favorites, including The Inkey List’s Fulvic Acid Brightening Cleanser — one of the best cleansing gels I’ve discovered all year. Psst…it’s perfect for a hot summer day!
Sure, a hot summer day somehow calls for a gel cleanser as much as it does a juicy slice of watermelon or a coconut milk ice cream cone. (My new fave!) But a good cleanser is a good experience any day of the year.
And the Layers Balancing Milky Cleanser is quite a good cleanser. It’s much lighter than the conventional cleansing milks I’ve experienced and I think the name is a touch misleading on that score.
The Balancing Milky Cleanser is more like a milky gel cleanser. It’s super lightweight and so, so gentle on the skin.
Importantly, it’s pH balanced to maintain proper skin balance and calm or prevent irritation.
Like the Layers Probiotic Serum and Immunity Moisturizer, it’s infused with probiotic lactobacillus ferment which the brand says helps “fortify your skin barrier against external stressors.”
And consequential to optimal skin health, lactobacillus ferment is “known to help repair damaged skin, rebalance skin flora and reduce the growth of harmful bacteria.”
Unlike the other formulas in the Layers regimen, the Balancing Milky Cleanser isn’t vegan as it contains prebiotic yogurt powder, a moisturizing agent that helps to nurture the good bacteria and deter the bad bacteria in skin’s microbiome, helping to maintain balance.
Perhaps the most intriguing ingredient in the 19-ingredient deep INCI is prebiotic Inulin — a vegetable sugar polysaccharide derived from chicory root. I’d heard of it but had no real awareness of its unique benefits. I found an insightful piece on probiotics in skincare and the benefits of Inulin on the Paula’s Choice website titled, What Are Prebiotics for Skin?
The piece by the Paula’s Choice Research Team is full of insights but I found this most salient and relative to Inulin:
What Prebiotic Ingredients Should I Look for In Skin Care?
Look for skin care products with prebiotic plant sugars, such as xylitol, rhamnose, and a large group of ingredients known as fructooligosaccharides (including raspberry oligosaccharides). Glucomannan is a particularly interesting prebiotic due to the way it works with a wide range of probiotics that help control acne.
Foods with prebiotics include garlic, onions, oats, barley, wheat bran, asparagus, bananas, and flaxseed as well as a plant fiber known as inulin, found in chicory root. Some of these plant extracts or their derivatives are also included in skin care products where you can easily reap the benefits of applying prebiotics to skin.
The Layers Balancing Milky Cleanser is surprisingly soothing and effective with a low-lathering quality that says everything to me about just how gentle it is. The more a cleanser lathers, the more it strips the skin — so the less it lathers, the better!
If you’re looking for a gentle cleanser that balances skin’s pH and supports the beneficial “good bacteria” in your surface microbiome, you can’t do better than this one.
SHOP THE BLOG: For a limited time, save $10 off every order $49+ with code SKINCARMA10. Purchase the Layers Balancing Milky Cleanser for $29 here.
SKINCARMA X LAYERS EXCLUSIVE!
FOR A LIMITED TIME, SAVE $10 OFF EVERY LAYERS ORDER OF $49+
Enter code SKINCARMA10 at checkout.
WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW
A LITTLE PORE MAINTENANCE ON SELFCARE SUNDAY WITH YTTP!
ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE
Layers | Daily Glow Probiotics
Perhaps the most intriguing of the four products comprising the Layers microbiome health regimen is the brand’s Daily Glow Probiotics supplements. They’re certainly the coolest!
While the Layers Immunity Moisturizer, Balancing Milky Cleanser and Probiotic Serum work synergistically to maintain, balance and nurture the microbiome on the skin’s surface, Layers’ Daily Glow Probiotics capsules help to balance out the internal gut microbiome.
As Rachel expounded upon during our conversations, “a profound relationship exists between your gut and skin.”
How the gut communicates with the skin:
Absorption of nutrients with a direct effect on the skin
Absorption of nutrients that can stimulate hormonal changes that affect the skin
Influence of gut microbiota on the immune system
Modulation of the local microbiome that releases metabolites that may have distant effects on the skin
Source: Rachel Behm, CEO/Founder of Layers
The Daily Glow Probiotics capsules are intended, of course, for daily use as a dietary supplement. I’m no stranger to probiotics as they’re a central part of my daily routine and prescribed by my naturopathic doctor.
So what do these curious little capsules do, specifically? The Layers Daily Glow Probiotics have been clinically shown to:
Show visible results in 15 days and enhanced results after 60 days
Increase hydration and elasticity for skin that snaps back
Reduce roughness and dullness for a brightened glow
Minimize fine lines and wrinkles for a smoother appearance
As a serious probiotic supplement, each capsule contains five billion CFU — comprised of five probiotic strains: Lactobacillus Plantarum, Bifidobacterium Lactis, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Lactobacillus Paracasei, and Bifidobacterium Longum.
I’ve always wondered what CFU meant on my probiotic supplements.
What Does CFU Mean in Probiotics?
“This stands for 'colony-forming units', and is the scientific term for the number of viable bacteria within a sample; in this case, in a friendly bacteria supplement. In other words, if a supplement has a CFU of 5 billion, it means that it contains 5 billion individual live cultures.” - Source: www.optibacprobiotics.com
What each individual bacterial strain in the Layers Daily Glow Probiotics is purported to do:
Probiotic Strain: Lactobacillus Plantarum
Known as a beneficial probiotic strain, it improves skin hydration and elasticity and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. It also helps maintain a balanced microflora.
Probiotic Strain: Bifidobacterium Lactis
Known for its ability to improve digestion and enhance the immune system functions, this probiotic strain aids in the absorption of vitamins and minerals in the gut.
Probiotic Strain: Lactobacillus Rhamnosus
This probiotic in the number one clinically studied strain to aid with digestive health. It nurtures the gut-skin axis and improves your skin barrier function by suppressing inflammatory agents.
Probiotic Strain: Lactobacillus Paracasei
Improves skin barrier function recovery and reduces local skin inflammation reactions. It’s known to have a positive effect on skin sensitivity and to smooth rough skin texture.
Probiotic Strain: Bifidobacterium Longum
This immune-modulating strain works to temper inflammatory responses on the skin and in the gut. It increases your skin's resistance to temperature fluctuations and potential irritation.
Source: mylayers.com
There’s also a significant quantity of ceramides (70mg) in each capsule in the form of Ceramide Oil Extract. Ceramides are a component of the skin and actually make up 50% of the lipid, or fat, content of our skin. As such, they are essential to plump, youthful skin — and far more beneficial to the skin when ingested rather than applied topically.
Importantly, the Layers Daily Glow Probiotics are vegan, cruelty-free and free of wheat, gluten, milk, egg, fish, crustacean shellfish, artificial colors, and artificial flavors.
SHOP THE BLOG: For a limited time, save $10 off every order $49+ with code SKINCARMA10. Enter the code to purchase the Layers Daily Glow Probiotics for $39 (reg. $49) here.
That’s it, guys! I hope you’ve enjoyed my exploration of the Layers probiotic skincare for a healthy skin and gut microbiome. It’s great stuff for your skin and your longterm skin health.
See you in the Bronx at Antonio’s sample sale! ;)
💟 Carmine @skincarma
SKINCARMA X LAYERS EXCLUSIVE!
FOR A LIMITED TIME, SAVE $10 OFF EVERY ORDER OF $49+
Enter code SKINCARMA10 at checkout.
The Ingredient List of the Layers Probiotic Serum:
Water, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Stearyl Heptanoate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate, Orobanche Rapum Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Lactic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Maltodextrin, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyisobutene, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Tocopherol, Sodium Hydroxide, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Fragrance.
The Ingredient List of the Layers Immunity Moisturizer:
Water, Isostearyl Isostearate, Pentylene Glycol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Glycerin, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Flower Extract, Silybum Marianum (Milk Thistle) Extract, Acetyl Heptapeptide-4, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Lecithin, Maltodextrin, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Caprylyl Glycol, Fragrance.
The Ingredient List of the Layers Balancing Milky Cleanser:
Water, Isostearyl Isostearate, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lactobacillus Ferment, Yogurt Powder, Chondrus Crispus (Irish Moss) Extract, Inulin, Xanthan Gum, Maltodextrin, Levulinic Acid, Lactic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Hydroxide, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Fragrance.
The Ingredient List of the Layers Daily Glow Probiotics:
Ceramide Oil Extract (70mg)
Probiotic Blend (5 BILLION CFU):
Lactobacillus Plantarum Rosell® -1012
Bifidobacterium Lactis Lafti® B94
Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG
Lactobacillus Paracasei Lafti® L26
Bifidobacterium Longum HA-135
Other Ingredients: Potato Starch, Nongmo Canola Oil, Hypromellose Capsule, Sunflower Lecithin, Magnesium Stearate, Ascorbic Acid
Contains No: Wheat, Gluten, Milk, Egg, Fish, Crustacean Shellfish, Artificial Colors, Artificial Flavors. Vegan Product. Not Tested On Animals.