Creating healthy skin by balancing the skin microbiome is the focus of a new functional skincare range by Summer Land Camel.

Created by Jeffrey Flood, physiotherapist, biochemist and nutritional immunotherapist, the Summer Land Pure Camel Milk Artisan skincare range was born out of his extensive research into skin issues and the role of the skin microbiome to help heal his own son’s severe eczema. Realising the shortage of camel milk in Australia, he established the country’s first commercial camel dairy with his business partner Paul Martin.

A microbiome is a collection of micro-organisms living either inside or outside of your body. And while the gut microbiome’s role in our health is now well established, the skin microbiome is emerging as a critical factor in the health and protection of our skin – with research showing disruption to its delicate balance can lead to several skin disorders, such as dandruff, acne, psoriasis, or atopic dermatitis. Imbalance to our skin microbiome can come from arious factors including diet, hormonal imbalance, lifestyle, and use of medications and cosmetics.

“At its heart, our skincare is about making your skin well. We created it to help build the skin microbiome in both number and biodiversity, because it’s the biome (and of course, diet) that drives the health of your skin. Just like in your gut, the biodiversity and robust nature of that ecosystem is what will allow your skin to express itself properly and ultimately give you better skin,” Jeff explained.

“Camel milk contains everything your skin needs to be naturally beautiful and

healthy. Most skincare products contain antibacterial and antifungal ingredients to help preserve shelf life, but they disrupt the skin microbiome, negating any positive benefits from ‘active ingredients’ and often leaving your skin worse off. The challenge was to create a range without these ingredients that still had a good shelf life and didn’t need to be kept in the fridge.”

“There are thousands of double blind randomised clinical trials, the best research you can get, showing the benefits of camel milk. But my approach was to first look at how the skin works, what is the role of the microbiome, and then functionally, what ingredients have been proven to work. Without an understanding of biome and immune system, you can’t actually produce skincare that’s good for skin.”

And the benefits are extensive! Camel milk is one of the world’s richest, natural sources of prebiotics, anti-inflammatory lipids and immune supporting proteins. Its unique qualities penetrate the lower layers of your skin to give you a deeper hydration unlike any other natural skin care ingredient. It can boost both collagen and elastin production and is packed with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), which gently exfoliate to improve texture, smooth fine lines and help prevent wrinkles. Vitamins A, B, C, D and E, deliver anti-aging benefits, antioxidants, and support skin repair and natural skin rejuvenation. Rich in omega oils, it also contains high levels of anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and immune supporting proteins, which all help naturally defend against UV damage.

Free from parabens, petrochemicals, sulphates and SLSs, Summer Land Camel’s Artisan Collection cleans, moisturises and protects our natural skin biome with a nutritious combination of camel milk, essential oils and other ingredients to revive and restore your skin to optimal health.

“The microbiome is different in different parts of the body. We’ve created a range the whole family can use daily to create the healthiest skin possible, whether it’s normal, sensitive, dry, aging, inflamed, or damaged.”

The range contains a Rejuvenating Day Cream to protect and restore with camel milk, licorice root, vitamin B5, bladderwrack seaweed, rose geranium and patchouli; an Anti-aging Night Cream to nourish and brighten with camel milk, macadamia seed oil, vitamin B5, rose geranium and lavender; a Deep Cleansing Shampoo and Balancing Conditioner that won’t strip hair of moisture with frequent use; a Deeply Cleansing Hand Wash and Soothing Hand Cream with natural antibacterial properties to cleanse, protect, soothe and hydrate; Luscious Body Wash and Camel Milk Body Cream that hydrates, revitalises and rebalances the skin’s natural pH; a Lip Conditioner; and Camel Milk Cleansing Bars with immune properties gentle enough to use daily on sensitive skin.

The Artisan Collection is created using the freshest, pasture-raised camel milk from Summer Land Camel’s own chemical free, bio-dynamic Queensland farm. Most of the camels have been rescued from culling programs across Australia. “There are nine other little dairies in Australia and our milk is completely different as it has double the milk solid content and is higher in immune proteins,” Jeff said.

The Summer Land Pure Camel Milk Artisan Collection is now available at Go Vita stores across Australia.