Beauty news: Cult probiotic skincare brand TULA arrives at MECCA

A huge number of bacteria-loving skincare products have been revolutionising the beauty world over the last few years, mainly thanks to the scientific discovery that probiotics are not only beneficial for your gut, but also for your skin. Promising to cultivate the skin’s friendly bacteria, probiotic skincare products help maintain a radiant, healthy complexion, and the ever-growing category is all about protecting the barrier, not wiping it away to start again.
In the same way that our gut is home to good (and bad) bacteria, on the skin surface is a physical barrier where millions of tiny micro-organisms live. Called the skin’s ‘microbiome’, this invisible veil guards against harmful pathogens, allergens, free radicals, infection and environmental damage. Invisible to the naked eye, the microbiome plays a critical role in our health and wellbeing by optimising our barrier.
If you want healthy skin, you need a balanced microbiome. When your microbiome is thrown off balance it becomes overrun with bad bacteria, which can lead to infections or skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, dermatitis, psoriasis and acne. An imbalance can be due to factors such as chronic inflammation, changes in the skin’s pH levels as well as environmental factors such as diet, stress, alcohol and pollution. Our obsession with cleanliness also contributes to an imbalanced microbiome, as too much cleansing and exfoliating can damage the barrier and deplete the skin’s aforementioned probiotic population. Fortunately however, the rise of topical products enhanced with probiotics are our skin’s latest saving grace.

A brand dedicated to all things probiotic, TULA has just arrived in store and online at MECCA and I’m playing with a few of their hero products right now. TULA, meaning “balance” in Sanskrit, is a clean, effective and clinically proven skincare brand built on the power of probiotic extracts and superfoods that have the unique ability to cleanse, soothe, and calm skin, while balancing the microbiome. Founded by practicing gastroenterologist, Dr. Roshini Raj, TULA Skincare believes the same ingredients that are good for your body are also great for your skin, and uses the latest research to determine which ingredients to include or not.

New York-based, Dr. Raj (above) graduated from Harvard and New York University. Fascinated by the power of probiotics in both beauty and wellness, she’s been studying this field for more than 20 years, and had a lightbulb moment after seeing the life-changing impact probiotics in a natural diet and in supplements had on her patients’ internal health. Not only were they feeling better, but their skin seemed to be glowing. In 2014, Dr. Raj launched TULA, applying her medical knowledge to skincare with the goal of restoring her patients' confidence.
Hero products in the range include the cult classic Purifying Facial Cleanser – which I am in love with for its ability to cleanse and gently exfoliate without drying out my skin – and the Hydrating Day & Night Cream and Cool Bright Eye Balm. All of the products are straightforward in formulation but super powered with pre- and probiotics, and great for calming redness and upping the hydration factor.

If TULA sounds like the kind of new beauty discovery missing in your life, head to MECCA to see the full, glowing lineup.