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The Benefits of Probiotics For Skin

Jane Summerfield 9 min read|   Medically reviewed by: Jonadab Ichegbo, M.D
probiotics for skin

It’s been many, many years that probiotics have been around; in fact, they’ve been around for hundreds of years despite their trendiness today.

It should come as no surprise that it was Hippocrates who coined the phrase, “All diseases begin in the gut.”

Now, it’s 2000 later, and there has been much research done on probiotics.

Some research has shown that not all diseases originate in the gut.

But an increasing number of conditions and diseases are linked to the very complex ecosystem of microbes that keep residence in the gut.

It was only around the 1990s that scientists started studying probiotics more earnestly.

But all those years back, before probiotic microbes were identified, people were eating fermented foods – yogurt, cheese, wine, beer, kefir, etc.

Not only was fermentation tasty, but it was known to be healthy as well.

One ancient Roman naturalist known as Pliny the Elder [1] would often prescribe fermented milk to treat intestinal problems.

Over the years, people would unknowingly be using fermented foods, not realizing that they were supplementing their diets with probiotics!

If you’re looking for the best probiotic supplements, click on this link to get our top recommendations.

Are Probiotics Good For Skincare?

In 2001, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued its definition of probiotics

This further information from WHO kick-started a lot more research about probiotics.

Soon real science was incorporated into probiotic products, leading to a series of microbial discoveries that would rock the probiotic world.

Fast track to modern times, with modern probiotics; now a newer generation of scientists has started asking newer questions around probiotics, like “Can we make probiotics do more?”

They have answered that question with a resounding yes!

Probiotics have come such a long way from the few choices you had – whether to buy them from the drug store; or the bit you found out about them from eating yogurt.

These days, you can find them in just about everything, from food to drinks, to chocolate trail mixes – and guess what – even skincare!

And another thing is that today’s probiotics aren’t even created equal anymore.

There are different brands and different strains. Even how you take them can make all the difference in how effective they can be.

We’ve learned that probiotics are excellent for digestive issues, but did you know that they are excellent for the skin as well?

Who doesn’t want smooth, clear, healthy skin?

Research has shown that if your gut is unhealthy, it is going to have a huge impact on your overall health, particularly the appearance and health of your skin.

You will notice spots, eczema, rosacea, inflammation, and acne [2].

The skin care world is embracing probiotics as the key to alleviating certain skin conditions

Actually, it is only recently that the world of skincare has embraced probiotics to help alleviate certain problem skin conditions.

It has been observed how probiotics seem to be producing glowing and healthy skin.

There are plenty of probiotic benefits for the skin; they have the power to prevent wrinkles even and increase your skin’s hydration levels [3].

If you don’t want to take supplements, you can certainly get probiotic benefits from food

Remember that ancient saying, “you are what you eat” – Or from the brilliant Hippocrates, who said, “Let Food Be They Medicine”.

Both those two sayings are absolutely correct.

And if you have healthy gut flora, then you will be able to absorb all the healthful beautifying nutrients.

As soon as you start suffering from even mild digestion issues, you have probably realized that taking oral probiotics through healthy probiotic foods can soothe the digestive system.

What types of foods are these? 

They are probiotic-rich foods like kefir, yogurt; certain types of cheese, kombucha, kimchi, and sauerkraut [4].

But don’t just eat only these foods. Continue to add fantastic dietary fiber into your diet as well to nourish the healthy gut bacteria

Add fresh veggies, fruits, and whole grains as well to your diet – that’s if you want to look good from the inside out. And don’t we all.

But if you do want to buy probiotic supplements, you should know how to choose simply the best.

You will soon learn in your search for the right probiotics, that there are a lot of different probiotic supplements on the market.

That means paying attention to what the probiotics packaging says.

  • Ensure the manufacturer is a reputable one
  • Ensure that your probiotics contain different strains of bacteria with high potency. Your doctor can always help you out when you need to know about probiotics, and it would be smart in any case if you are under doctor supervision to let him know what you are including in your diet.

Once you’ve chosen the correct probiotic, you are going to notice just how your skin responds to its benefits.

Did you know that you can find topical probiotics as well? [5]

Topical probiotics have amazing skin benefits. Just like their oral counterparts, they can treat a variety of dermatologic conditions, particularly atopic dermatitis (AD) [6] and acne.

In the last few years, there has been a huge surge in studies about microbiota. These studies go way beyond digestive health benefits.

There has been emerging evidence that points out some of the positive effects of some bacterial strains to treat skin disorders.

There are new dermatologic products that contain probiotics that have become available today.

Topical probiotics are noted to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial action against P. acnes [7] 

Recent reports show that Streptococcus thermophiles probiotic, which is found in yogurt, could increase ceramide production when applied to patients with acne, topically, for 7 days.

Streptococcus salivarius contains antimicrobial activity as well as the ability to inhibit inflammatory pathways.

Research on topical probiotics for skin treatments might be in the early stages, but there have been many trials that have shown positive results.

One skin expert said that as far as skin aging goes, such as photo aging, probiotic topical skincare products, these days, are being launched faster than research can keep up!

The products are proving successful at restoring acid skin pH balance, improving skin barrier function, alleviating oxidative stress, and even enhancing hair quality.

For wound healing, topical probiotics have demonstrated efficiency

One probiotic, Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum), has shown excellent results in treating topical skin ulcers and burn infections. 

“Research on topical probiotics in skincare and dermatological therapy is still in the initial stages and is certainly a promising topic to be explored,” says this skin expert, Katlein França.

The Benefits of Topical Probiotics to The Skin

1) Deals with Skin Condition

They deal with a variety of skin conditions like rashes, eczema, rosacea, and even psoriasis. Both topical probiotics and oral supplements can result in an improved look and healthy skin.

2) Probiotics help to reduce visible signs of aging

Topical probiotic use is thought the help in building up the collagen in the skin to achieve stronger skin and even add smoothness to the appearance.

3) Deals with inflammation of the skin

Topical probiotics deal with inflammation of the skin, making it more resistant to the negative effects of sun exposure that results in fine lines and wrinkles.

Often acne sufferers have elevated inflammatory responses as well.

Keeping inflammation at bay by using probiotics gives much-needed relief and can result in clear, smooth, beautiful skin.

4) Hydration of the skin is improved

Certain strains of probiotics can have a beneficial effect on the skin barrier. The stronger the skin, the more it keeps in hydration.

5) Probiotics can repair skin and reduce sensitivity

Skin disorders are often accompanied by unpleasant symptoms like itching, burning, and sensitivity to touch.

Sometimes irritated red acne bumps can heal temporarily, but what remains is scarring and discoloration where there were once lesions.

Some users say they noticed diminished scarring and smoothness of skin once they persistently applied topical probiotics.

So Does Our Gut Have Control Over Our Complexion?

Could the issues that we have with our skin be an indication that our gut health has gone awry?

One gut health expert, Carla Oates, and a celebrity nutritionist, Kimberly Snyder, say that it looks like that by adding probiotic and prebiotic foods into our diet, we could make a huge difference than we might ever have imagined.

Carla says, “The gut and skin enjoy a constant dialogue via what has become known as the gut-skin axis.”

She goes on to say ….“So it’s super important to get your digestive health in check in order to feel well and of course, experience clear, glowing skin.”

If we experience any issues with the gut, such as inflammation, leaky gut, or digestion problems, our skin is usually the first place to show the problems…

  • A 2017 study reported that people with rosacea had a higher incidence of gastrointestinal disease 
  • A 2012 study found that patients with IBD could experience lesions and other skin disorders.

It’s imperative to address gut health because when you do address it, you are going to notice how your skin will radiate with a glow that no amount of cosmetics or topical treatments can replicate.

Sure, if you need to take probiotics as a supplement, take them by all means because they work.

But generally speaking, the best thing you can do is eat a balanced whole-food diet and include probiotic-rich fermented foods.

Then you can also take a probiotic supplement that contains a broad-spectrum probiotic.

To heal the skin, first things first, and that is to heal the gut

For those people that are battling acne, rosacea, premature aging, eczema, and psoriasis, nourishing and feeding the gut can make a huge impact.

Carla Oates goes on to say that “Research shows that our gut health, as well as stress, can negatively impact the skin’s protective antimicrobial barrier and make skin conditions worse. To heal the skin, it’s essential that you first heal the gut, fertilizing it as you would a garden with essential nutrients and beneficial bacteria.”

Growing research suggests that skin care products with probiotics, prebiotics, and post-biotics help get healthy microbes back into balance

A balanced microbiome will help to reduce acne, eczema, dry skin, wrinkles, and skin cancer that are linked to UV damage. Both probiotics and prebiotics work more efficiently when they go together.

Check out how these live probiotic extracts can benefit skin health:

Bifidobacterium [8] may reduce skin sensitivity and boost ceramides. People who experience eczema rosacea or who have dry, irritated skin are better able to tolerate products without experiencing burning and stinging.

  • Lactobacillus [9] may improve the skin’s barrier function to reduce acne and redness.
  • Vitreoscilla [10] may reduce water loss and improve eczema.
  • Bacillus coagulans might help to increase free radical scavengers to fight skin aging.

There are more.

But read about the different probiotics and their benefits to the skin. Remember, that when the gut microbiome is out of balance, otherwise known as gut dysbiosis, this can negatively impact the skin, leading to inflammation and infections.

Conclusion 

The body is a finely tuned machine that needs to be properly taken care of in order to function in the best possible way.

When we fail to give our bodies what they need, sooner or later, those actions catch up with us, and then we have to face the consequences of our unwise actions and lifestyle choices. 

There are many types of things that can cause the gut bacteria in our bodies to get way out of control.

Some of these are eating too much sugar and processed foods, using too many antibiotics, or steroids and hormones. What about all the carbonated drinks that you love so much or coffee?

Then there are radiation treatments etc. and chemicals that have been added to the food we eat.

The list goes on.

Follow that up with a hectic, stressful lifestyle with insufficient sleep and you have the recipe for bad gut health.

And that can cause serious health problems. Before it is allowed to get totally out of control, there is brilliant help in the form of probiotics.

They help to keep bad gut bacteria under control.

If you want to look good from the outside, it is vital to consider what you are putting inside your body.

Actually think about this – what you put in is what you get out, and it might not be a pretty picture for you if you don’t take action, sooner, better than later.

References