Are Probiotics Good for Skin?

We all know that probiotics are praised for them benefiting your gut health and all over well-being. But some of you may be surprised to hear that probiotic are also highly effective in skincare formulas.

In recent years the number of products containing probiotic technology are rapidly growing in popularity. So, what is it about probiotics, and are they really that good for your skin? Let’s investigate together and find out more. Before we dive in, let’s quickly have a recap about the main benefits of probiotics. 

What are probiotics?

Probiotics are live microorganisms that help protect the gut’s microbiome ensuring it contains the correct number of good bacteria improving your well-being and general health.

It is not just gut health that probiotics have been used for, they have also been proven to calm and prevent certain skin disorders such as eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, acne inflammations and damage caused by UV exposure. By topically applying skincare products packed with probiotics you’ll find the skin barrier is strengthened, ensuring it can protect itself from free radicals, such as pollution, UV rays and other environmental aggressors.

Now that you have had a refresh of what probiotics do, and some of the benefits they have on the skin, we can move on to answering some of the most asked questions about how probiotics are good for skin.

Can probiotics help clear skin?

They can certainly help improve your skin. In recent years there has been a growing amount of evidence suggesting that introducing probiotics into your daily skincare routine will improve skin conditions such as eczema, severe acne, and dry skin. This can be achieved by either topical application or by ingesting a capsule containing effective strains of bacteria that will target any areas of concern. Here are the main differences between topical application and taking capsules.

Topical Application

By applying a topical formula containing an effective blend of live cultures you will find any inflammations of eczema and acne are calmed and soothed.

With the boost in good bacteria on the skin, the impurities and bad bacteria that is known for causing acne, called P.acnes bacteria will be combatted ensuring spots, breakouts and acne flare-ups are significantly reduced.

Ingested Capsules

It is known that the gut is our second brain and quite often you’ll find when there is an unwanted flare-up in eczema or acne and no other skincare product can help, it may be a case of improving the imbalance in the gut flora. This over time will result in inflammations found around the body are treated, including any experienced on the skin surface.

There you have the main differences between topical and ingested probiotics to help clear your skin. If you are new to use probiotics or have any concerns, I would advise seeking the help from a medical professional, such as a doctor or dermatologist. This will help you avoid any unwanted reactions and find the best product for you to use in your daily routine.

Can probiotics make skin worse?

The short answer is no, the longer answer is precautions must still take place when using probiotics to help target skin concerns. As I have already mentioned, probiotics contain high levels of good bacteria which can help counteract an imbalance occurring in the gut or on the skin surface. This leads to them being able to reduce any acne inflammation, however you may find that you experience a short-term worsening of your acne before you begin to notice an all-over improvement of your skin’s clarity. As upsetting as it may feel, stick with it and soon enough you’ll have a clearer, healthier complexion.

Is probiotic skincare good for acne?

Absolutely, adding topical probiotic products into your daily routine will help strengthen and fortify the protective skin barrier. It can do this with a boost in good bacteria reducing the damage caused by impurities, dirt, and acne causing bacteria on the skin surface which will help reduce the severity of the acne and breakouts.

Probiotics provide a gentle and unique approach into clearing the skin as quite often you’ll find skincare products formulated for combatting blemishes tend to contain potent and sometimes, harsh ingredients. These ingredients are admittedly very effective at combating blemishes but are also known for causing dryness and discomfort for the skin, especially when used incorrectly can strip the skin of the vital oil it needs to remain balanced and healthy.

Do probiotics make you look younger?

They can help but are not the best product to use if you are wanting to target signs of ageing. There is a vast amount of skincare ingredients, such as retinol, hyaluronic acid and AHAs, to name a few, that provide impressive results that are more effective than probiotics, however there’s no harm in using them too!

What I mean by this is if you are taking or applying probiotics to the skin you will help reduce the appearance of age spots, fine lines, and repair signs of stress to the skin. This is a result of the probiotics working at helping the skin barrier remain and its healthiest state and functioning properly.

How do you know if probiotics are working?

You’ll find that there will be several positive changes to the body and skin once you have found the best probiotic product for you. From an improvement in your digestion, reduced bloating, and discomfort as well as your skin becoming clearer and complexion glowing with health. One important point you must remember is the sheer number of different types and strains of probiotics may result in this becoming a task that requires some time and patience when finding the most suitable one for you. Remember that if one probiotic product doesn’t work, try a different variety to see if that performs better, do this with the guidance of a doctor to avoid any side effects or reactions.

There you have a little more information about whether probiotics are good for the skin. Don’t forget to come and follow us on Instagram.