Do Probiotics for Skin Health Actually Work? We Asked the Experts

Photo credit: Grace Cary - Getty Images
Photo credit: Grace Cary - Getty Images


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You may already have your cabinet stocked with one of the best probiotic supplements. After all, the benefits of probiotics range from gut health and weight loss to vaginal health, so there’s a probiotic fit for everyone’s needs. But recently, people have been touting probiotics for skin health benefits, so we checked in with experts to determine if popping a probiotic supplement or adding a probiotic cream to your routine is worth the hype.

What is the microbiome?

Before we get to probiotics, it’s important to understand the microbiome. The microbiome is the collection of all the living things, like viruses and bacteria, that thrive inside of our bodies. This biome is connected to all aspects of our health and lives in multiple parts of the body. Studies have found the human microbiota consists of 10 to 100 trillion symbiotic microbial cells that live mostly in the gut and the skin, explains Heather Rogers, M.D., F.A.A.D, a board-certified dermatologist in Washington.

And these microbes are very sensitive to environmental changes. But to consciously try to change the microbiome takes a lot of work, Dr. Rogers said. Things like including more fruits and vegetables in your diet, decreasing stress levels, getting in exercise every day, and introducing good bacteria into your body with fermented foods and well-populated probiotics are key to promoting a healthy microbiome, she says.

What are probiotics?

So now that we understand the microbiome, what exactly are probiotics, then? “Probiotics are a combination of helpful bacteria and yeast that may be applied to the body or consumed,” explains Ife Rodney, M.D., FAAD., dermatologist and founder of Eternal Dermatology and Aesthetics. “They help to balance the good and bad bacteria in the body, and with overall gut health.”

And they usually come in the form of a supplement that some people choose to take daily, says Jennifer Martin-Biggers, Ph.D., M.S., R.D.N., vice president of scientific affairs and education at HUM Nutrition. There are options for general wellness and others that target specific things like vaginal health or skin health.

What is the skin microbiome?

We know that our gut has a very specific microbiome, but many don’t realize so does our skin. “Your skin is covered with many millions of microscopic bacteria, fungi, and even viruses,” explains Snehal Amin, M.D., co-founder and surgical director of MDCS Dermatology. “These beneficial microorganisms interact with each other and the host and form part of the barrier against pathogenic organisms.” In short: most of these microbes are beneficial to your skin and help keep it healthy.

But when that microbiota changes, science suggests this can cause an array of common skin issues, he says. The microbiome in our skin can change from multiple factors like age, hormonal changes, skincare, cosmetics, sun exposure, and overall lifestyle, Dr. Rodney adds. Plus, things like the specific area of the skin and its biogeography (like how an armpit can be damp and warm), gender, ethnicity, geographic locations, climate, and even face masks can impact the skin’s microbiome, adds Dirk Gevers, Ph.D., chief scientific officer at Seed Health.

Do probiotics have benefits for the skin?

Research suggests it may. “Your body is complex and interconnected, and your gastrointestinal system, the most diverse microbial ecosystem in the human body, sits at the core of it all,” says Gevers. “It’s connected to everything and influences functions from gut immunity and metabolIsm to cardiovascular, urogenital, and, yes, dermatological health.”

Additionally, Dr. Amin notes that there’s a very strong connection between the gut and skin microbiome and the brain itself, and research suggests any disruption in that has shown to cause inflammation. Studies have even found that probiotics can have the potential to prevent and treat skin diseases like eczema, atopic dermatitis, acne, and allergic inflammation. Other research has found oral and topical probiotics can be an effective treatment for certain inflammatory skin diseases, wound healing, and skin cancer.

So, science says oral probiotics are likely beneficial, but the true confusion comes in when we’re comparing topical versus ingested probiotics and their impact on skin health. “There is growing data suggesting that the topical application of probiotics can help with inflammatory skin disease including eczema, acne, seborrheic dermatitis, rosacea, and more by helping maintain a healthy and diverse skin biome,” Dr. Rogers says. But the issue is skincare is largely unregulated, so the types of organisms, their concentrations, or claims being made may not be exact, she warns.

And though the benefit of a topical probiotic is that it’s very accessible, because most people can apply something to their skin, there are downfalls in the current research and regulations. “Because there are few regulations to protect consumers from unproven product marketing claims, our marketplace is flooded by ineffective topical products that will at best not work, and at worst, cause a skin reaction like contact dermatitis,” says Belinda Tan, M.D., Ph.D., member of Seed’s scientific board and board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist.

Dr. Amin agrees that the connection between topical skin application of probiotics and the impact on the skin microbiome is less clear, and says more research is needed. Though there is some early research that looks promising, it’s very difficult to perform the right kinds of tests and know for sure if topical probiotics work at this time, largely because the skin isn’t a “one size fits all” situation, Gevers adds.

Choosing the right probiotic for skin health

  • Check the ingredients. When it comes to topical probiotics, Dr. Rogers recommends always doing your due diligence to ensure the ingredients are well studied, effective, and safe.

  • Research the strain of probiotics. Dr. Rodney suggests checking the specific strain of probiotics in a product before buying it to ensure it’s targeting what you’re looking for. “To help your selection, choose a specific issue you are trying to address and select a probiotic that has been shown to assist with this,” she says. Martin-Biggers notes that different ingredient companies create specific strains, and you can find clinical studies to show if that probiotic has clinical benefits.

  • Vet the brand. Martin-Biggers encourages doing your research before making a purchase. Most solid probiotic brands will include research on their websites to back up any claims being made about a product. Additionally, make sure they are transparent on the label about the specific probiotic colony and the shelf life.

  • Cut down the skincare. There’s no need to run out and buy a bunch of new creams, serums, and sprays anytime you have a skin issue. “Too much skincare, no matter its probiotic nature, still irritates the skin, changing the skin’s pH and the happy environment our biome lives in,” Dr. Rogers warns. Instead, choose a few well-formulated products to support healthy skin and check in with your dermatologist for more specific concerns.

  • Eat a healthy diet. Once you’ve chosen the right probiotic for you, Dr. Rodney encourages incorporating fiber-filled fruits and vegetables into your diet to ensure the probiotics can grow and show their positive effects.

  • Give it time. Before deciding if a particular probiotic works for you, Martin-Biggers encourages giving it two months of consistent use. If you’re not seeing improvement, try another brand.

  • Think of probiotics in skincare as a bonus, not the end-all-be-all. Because there’s limited research in topical probiotics compared to oral probiotics, Dr. Rogers suggests thinking about probiotics in skincare as a bonus, not your primary source of probiotics.

If you’re looking for a dermatologist-approved topical probiotic or oral probiotics, here are our expert’s picks.

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