Aleavia Prebiotic Skincare | Treat Eczema, Psoriasis, Scars + Slow Aging

March 2, 2020 (updated January 31, 2023) — Written by

Thank you to Aleavia for sponsoring this post!

Most of us have heard of probiotics which cultivate gut health. But have you heard of the concept of prebiotics? And more specifically, prebiotic skincare? Prebiotic skincare is a great way to treat eczema, rosacea, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, problematic skin, repair skin blemishes, scars, wounds AND MORE!

Here’s the *skinny*. Our skin is our largest organ and we have an unfathomable amount of bacteria on the surface of our skin. In fact, the number of microbial cells colonizing the human body is 10 times the number of human cells. It’s a lot. All of this, as a whole, is called the skin microbiome. The skin barrier and microbiome act like a shield to protect the body against external aggressions.

And by “external aggressions” we’re talking aggravating chronic skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. OR, this paper identified a specific strain of bacteria that could protect against cancer and potentially help treat it once it’s formed.

In short, how we feed and take care our microbiome reflects not only the health of our skin but potentially our overall health in general.

Check out this reader comment:

“OK so I have been using this stuff for just over a month now and I am in love!  I ordered the face wash and the Orchid Body Wash and wow….I have pretty moderate rosacea on my face and the face wash has soothed the itch and soreness I get with flare-ups!  It has not broken me out (which was definitely a concern) and it smells delicious (I know it’s unscented but, to me, it smells lightly of coconut oil and kind of fruity??).

The body wash…OMG.  The cold pressed Orchid Oil smells absolutely divine and my skin has never been softer!  I am starting to see a huge improvement in my “dessert legs” lol! I don’t use as much lotion and my skin doesn’t feel tight or itchy after I shower now.  I am a convert and a customer for life.  So thankful for you and the info you bring to me and all of your readers!”

Rachel G. – The New Knew reader
squeezing out aleavia skincare onto my hand

How do I feed my skin microbiome?

Now, maybe at this point you are thinking, That’s great and all but how in the world do I feed my skin?! Does my skin want a hightop for one or a corner booth with a window view? Does my skin like it’s steak medium or medium rare? What if my skin is vegan?! I digress.

The reality is, you are already feeding (or not feeding) your skin every day. Some examples of not feeding your skin is using harsh facial cleansers and antibacterial soaps that strip skin of healthy bacteria. These soaps damage and disrupt the skins microbiome. Disruption in this barrier function can aggravate chronic skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.

On the other hand, examples of feeding your skin can be as simple as not using a harsh cleanser or not showering too often OR it can be as calculated as; less exfoliation, eating more fermented foods or…using a prebiotic skincare.

But wait, what the heck are skin prebiotics?

Probiotics are live bacteria and prebiotics are specialized plant fibers that act like a fertilizer for the probiotics. Here are just a few ways of how prebiotics benefit the skin:

  • Prebiotics create ideal conditions for your skin bacteria to grow and flourish.
  • They also diminish harmful bacteria and create a balanced skin pH.
  • Aleavia founder Kelly Graham says, “This healthy enzymatic activity stimulated at the cellular level aids in skin restoration, accelerates recovering in problematic skin and repairs skin of blemishes, scars and wounds.”
  • Skin microbes stabilize the skin by fighting off pathogens, interacting with immune cells in the skin, and modifying host immunity.
  • Prebiotics can contribute to the treatment of diseases including ACD, acne and photo aging primarily by enhancing the growth of probiotics.
  • Kelly adds (and this is really where my ears perk up), “Prebiotics naturally produce hyaluronic acid, improving the skin’s moisture content and strengthening the skin’s protective barrier, which aids in slowing the aging process.”

Did she just say, slowing the aging process? *Runs to buy all the Aleavia.*

What disrupts the skin microbiome…

The reason we have to think about feeding our skin and maintaining a healthy skin microbiome is because it can be easily disrupted.

three Aleavia skincare products lined up with a brick background

Here is a short list of things that can effect or impact the skin microbiome including; gender, age, seasons, ethnicity as well as various stressors, including physiological injury and psychological anxiety, ultraviolet B and C light, excessive alcohol consumption, nutrient and vitamin deficiency, frequent washing, cosmetics, hygiene products, makeup, moisturizers, overuse of antibiotics, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and sebum overproduction during puberty.

This is important to note because all of these internal and external factors impact the microbiome which could ultimately lead to inflammatory skin conditions such as infections, allergies or autoimmune diseases.

Enter Aleavia prebiotic skincare…

Aleavia has several products I love including a foaming body wash, foaming face wash, skin spray, nail spray and more. You can check out their full line here.

The active prebiotic ingredient in Aleavia is sea kelp. Sea kelp is one of the most nutrient dense plants on the planet and Aleavia extracts its alkaloids and folds it into their formulas. This is unique in that it’s a live plant-based superfood.

Aleavia founder Kelly Graham says, “What’s interesting is that after using Aleavia, the skin microbiome starts moving more and multiplying at a faster rate.”

I got the chance to connect with Aleavia’s formulator to ask him more. He explains, “Aleavia’s prebiotic is an alkaloid-based, bio-stimulant that feeds a variety of friendly microorganisms on the skin. Think of Aleavia as a ‘health food for the skin.’ When prebiotics feed the microorganisms on your skin, it strengthens the super ecology system on the skin. This results in the body affectively and naturally producing hyaluronic acid, which helps slow the aging process and gives skin a more youthful appearance.”

He continues, “Over a very short period of time, the healthy bacteria (or as we call it, our good skin microbiome or “good bugs”), will completely overwhelm harmful bacteria, promoting a radiant complexion. This process also balances the pH level of the skin, working in a positive manner to aid in the skin restoration that accelerates the recovery and repair of skin blemishes, eczema, keratosis, rosacea and even scars and wounds.”  

spraying Aleavia prebiotic skincare on my face

Things that I love about Aleavia prebiotic skincare…

1. First and foremost, it foams. Call me conventional but sometimes I just want a face wash that foams. Don’t you? Love keeping their Purifying Facial Cleanse on hand in the shower.

2. It’s suitable for the entire family. Their Body Cleanse is the body wash I keep in the shower for the boys, my husband and myself. It creates better skin health in already healthy skin AND it helps to treat eczema which is great for Quinn. It’s also an aid for treating rosacea, psoriasis, acne, dermatitis, itchy scalp and dry skin too.

3. The Aleavia Body Cleanse smells amazing. I especially recommend the new Orchid Body Cleanse which will turn any Bath & Body Works junkie into an Aleavia convert. Smells incredible.

4. Aleavia is 100% plant-based, organic and made with 8 ingredients or less. Yes. You read that right!

5. It’s accessible. Nothing in the entire line is over $20.

6. The Renew Nail Mist literally gets rid of that yellow nail you get in between polishes. I’ve seen it with my own eyes.

Tell Aleavia I sent you!

That’s it for now…and I didn’t even get going on postbiotics!

Use code NEWKNEW15 to save 15% at Aleavia!

Have you tried Aleavia?

xo, lisa in cursive

Photos by Monkey + Squirrel

By Lisa Fennessy

Lisa is the founder of The New Knew. Passionate about clean beauty, organic eats and nontoxic lifestyle, Lisa writes to create awareness. Conscious consumerism and informed decisions will impact the marketplace, our health and THE WORLD!

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