Can Probiotics Help Atopic Dermatitis
Those suffering from atopic dermatitis, an inflammatory skin condition that causes red and irritable patches, might be surprised to know that probiotics could offer a new approach towards relief of their symptoms. More and more research is being conducted on how the healthy bacteria living in our bodies can also improve our skin health. One study found that certain probiotics were successful in improving the severity of atopic dermatitis for up to eight weeks after only once-daily consumption. While not a cure, these treatments are offering effective relief for those struggling with this uncomfortable condition. And even better â there appears to be no side effects associated with the use of topical probiotics! It looks like bacteria are the new friends bringing relief from atopic dermatitis.
Can Probiotics Make You Break Out
Probiotics are unlikely to make you break out. An exception to this is if you have a strong sensitivity to dairy, and the probiotic supplement youre taking contains traces of dairy .
If that applies to you, dont stress! There are plenty of dairy-free probiotic formulations availablejust check the label.
So, probiotics can help acne. Lets recap what else weve learnt:
Research into probiotics and acne is new, but it shows promise.
The effects of probiotics are strain-specific. Science hasnt yet discovered which strain is best for beating acne. Having said that
Many probiotic strains influence acne-driving pathways. They work by improving insulin sensitivity, reducing inflammation, modulating gut bacteria, reducing oxidative stress and improving the skin barrier.
For acne, your best bet is to take a Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG supplement, or to take a supplement containing a blend of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria strains.
You should take a probiotic supplement for at least 12 weeks before deciding whether its helping your acne.
Want a done-for-you plan for creating clear skin? Get your copy of The Happy Skin Roadmap.
Fiona Lawson is a former national magazine editor turned registered nutritionist and skin specialist. She holds an MSc in Nutritional Medicine and a BANT-registered post-graduate qualification in Nutritional Therapy.
Supporting Research On Probiotics For Acne
A 2011 study revisiting the work of dermatologists John H. Stokes and Donald M. Pillsbury concluded that, while acne is not a disease of the gastrointestinal tract, it is connected to the gut.
They stated, There appears to be more than enough supportive evidence to suggest that gut microbes, and the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract itself, are contributing factors in the acne process.
Studies have shown that probiotics have successfully treated inflammatory skin issues, such as atopic dermatitis, especially in children. Skin prone to acne or rosacea has shown improvement with probiotic use as well.
Remember when we discussed the bacteria Cutibacterium? A recent scientific study, published in 2018, explored the effects of taking probiotics on C. acnes. Scientists observed that as good bacteria were applied topically, levels of C. acnes decreased. They further noted that results were better when consistent upkeep of the skins microbiome occurred.
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A Better Way To Fix Gut Problems And Acne
Fixing the gut, and any skin problems linked to it, often requires much more than popping a probiotic. A comprehensive program, like the one outlined in Clear for Life, needs to address both the bacterial imbalance and the deeper causes that led to it in the first place.
Often this requires:
- Dietary changes that for some time limit problematic foods, such as excess fermentable carbohydrates, FODMAPs, and gluten. This goes a long way towards balancing and killing off excess bacteria.
- Taking antimicrobials to speed up killing excess bacteria.
- Supplements that support the digestive system and prevent the problem from recurring. These can include betaine HCL and herbs that stimulate the small intestine.
- Supporting the core bacteria in the gut with proper dietary choices and supplements, for example by consuming foods with resistant starch and taking some acacia gum.
This is how I rid myself of gut problems and acne linked to them.
Im not saying probiotics cant play a role in this, but they are likely to be a small sidekick rather than the leading star.
Prebiotics And Probiotics In Acne Treatment
If you suffer from acne or oily skin dont despair, weve got good news. Recently the awesome Human Microbiome Project revealed that we hadnt known all about the causes of acne, and the new knowledge opens up amazing possibilities. Lets revise what weve known for a long time now . The skin becomes oily when the grease-producing sebaceous glands are overly active.
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Picking The Right Probiotic Supplement
Choosing a quality probiotic supplement is just as important as understanding which strains can benefit acne patients. The mantra You are what you assimilate that has evolved from You are what you eat is especially significant in this case. How a probiotic is assimilated into the body as a result of proper formulation is just as important as the bacteria strains in the probiotic supplement.
I love Nutrigolds Probiotic Gold because of its patented non-synthetic delivery system that ensures the implantation of the beneficial bacteria into the microbiome as opposed to being destroyed by the acidic nature of the stomach. This is a huge bonus on top of all of the proven anti-acne strains aforementioned: Lactobacillus acidophilus, plantarum, rhamnosus, and reuteri, and Bifidobacterium infantis. This nutraceutical is truly a probiotic powerhouse!
Probiotics For Acne Buying Guide
- First, our algorithms collected as much information available about these products from trusted sources.
- We employed both Artificial Intelligence and large data volume to validate all collected information.
- Then our AI ranked them on their quality-to-price ratio using industry-standard criteria that let us pick the best Probiotics For Acne currently on the market!
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The Best Products With Probiotics For Acne
This serum is a one-stop-shop, combining Vitamin C and wild indigo with probiotics. Vitamin C can lighten hyperpigmentation and wild indigo reduces redness, according to the brand. “These ingredients combined with probiotics are a great tool to fight acne,” says Engelman.
Oats are the primary ingredient in this rich night cream, along with soothing feverfew. “Oats have long been known to protect the skin, but now we know they contain specialized sugars that are beneficial in normalizing the skin’s microbiome,” says Zeichner.
This moisturizer “contains prebiotic thermal spring water that has been used for decades to treat inflammatory skin conditions because of its high levels of minerals like selenium,” says Zeichner. It’s like a trip to the hot springs for your face.
If you’re wanting a probiotic-laden pick-me-up, this sheet mask is it. “It combines probiotics and hyaluronic acid for powerful hydration while restoring balance and combating damage from environmental aggressors,” says Engelman. Four masks come in a pack.
Engelman recommends this lightweight moisturizer if you’re suffering from the dryness that acne treatments like acids can cause but still have oily skin overall. “It will absorb excess oil that could be a feeding ground for bacteria,” she says.
In addition to both pre- and probiotics, this dietary supplement contains plenty of essential vitamins and mineralsand who doesn’t love a stylish container? Engelman says she uses one scoop a day.
Probiotics For Acne Studies
The evidence is becoming more and more apparent for the use of probiotics in treating acne, particularly in clinical trials. In fact, it’s been found that probiotics actually directly inhibit the P.acnes thanks to their ability to produce antibacterial proteins.
Furthermore, oral probiotics also work to reduce inflammation on the skin, a key acne trait.
Dermatologists Mary-Margaret Kober and Dr Whitney Bowe explained that as skin inflammation is one of the first stages of acne, treating this inflammation early with oral probiotics may have key preventative benefits.
Furthermore, an Insulin-like growth factor has also been found to play a role in acne. So what does this mean? Basically certain food such as low-fiber carbohydrates, as well as dairy, may play a role in acne development, driven by an increase in IFG-1. However, the probiotic Lactobacillus has been found to lower levels of IG-1. This suggests that probiotics may decrease levels of IGF-1, which in turn improves acne.
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Using Probiotic Creams And Lotions
Once youre certain youve found a good quality topical probiotic cream or lotion, ideally containing a combination of prebiotics and probiotics, the first thing to do is read the label and see what the manufacturer recommends so far as how often it should be applied. Most experts agree that topical probiotics can be safely applied to the skin once or twice a day, ideally first thing in the morning or late in the evening before retiring for the night.
What Does This Have To Do With My Skin
Two things, actually. Inside your body, the bacteria in your gut interacts with your immune system, which can affect your skin, Bowe says. Certain inflammatory skin disorders like acne, rosacea, and eczema are thought to flare in those whose gut bacterial mix has been thrown out of balance, says Bowe.
If your bods natural balance of bacteria gets thrown out of whack , that can damage your intestinal lining. This allows irritating substances that are normally digested to float into your bloodstream, which sets off your immune system and can cause inflammation throughout the body, including redness and skin sensitivity.
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Then, remember how Bowe said theres a bunch of bacteria sitting on top of your skin, too? If your skins healthy microbiome is disrupted by harsh cleansers and other abrasive skincare products, this discontent can result in breakouts, explains Bowe.
The short version: If your bods natural bacteria balance inside or outside of the skin gets thrown out of whack, your skin suffers . But when your bodys good bacteria is healthy and thriving, Bowe says thats when your skin will look its best.
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What Is Gut Bacteria
Gut bacteria, also called the gut microbiota or microbiome, is the bacteria that lives in the gastrointestinal tract . Trillions of bacteria of many different species live in the human gut. According to a 2011 article in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology:
The of the human intestine is diverse and abundant. It is estimated there are as many as 1000 different bacterial species and > 7000 different strains living in the tract.3
Generally speaking, the bacteria that live in the gut are not harmful. In fact, research has shown that disruption of the normal balance of these bacteria is associated with a variety of conditions, such as obesity, inflammatory bowel diseases, and cancer. Some of the benefits of gut bacteria include:
- Contributing to healthy immune function.
- Providing protection against viruses and harmful bacteria that enter the gut.
- Contributing to healthy digestion by extracting energy and nutrients from food.
The variety of species and strains of bacteria living in the gut changes throughout life according to age, diet, and certain medications, including antibiotics. Therefore, it is impossible to determine exactly what constitutes a normal gut microbiome.3,4 As the same 2011 article in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology explains:
Do Probiotics Help With Acne
Heres the bottom line: probiotics can help acne. But the science here is new, so we dont yet know if the findings apply to everyone.
Lets look at the handful of recent studies that have investigated oral probiotics and acne:
2010: Scientists in Korea found that drinking fermented milk reduced breakouts by a third in 12 weeks .
2013: In Canada, scientists found that taking a probiotic supplement improved acne just as much as an antibiotic after 12 weeks .
2016: Scientists in Italy found that taking Lactobacillus rhamnosus SP1 helped normalise the skins response to insulin, improving the appearance of acne .
2021: Back in Korea, the same group of scientists found that taking Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP55 reduced breakouts by almost half after 12 weeks .
As you can see, its looking hopeful. The only issue is that many of the strains used in these trials arent readily available. Even if they were, the science isnt strong enough to suggest these exact strains would improve acne in all people.
Fortunately, theres another way to approach using probiotics for acne.
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How Gut Microbiota Affects Acne
It is not just the proinflammatory cytokines produced when the gut is out of balance that exacerbate inflammatory skin diseases such as acne. Studies show that short chain fatty acids , produced when the gut breaks down fibre, influence the composition of the skin microbiota. By inhibiting Staphylococcus epidermidis from forming protective biofilms, SCFAs give Cutibacterium acnes an advantage over S. epidermidis in their competitive tussle, while also encouraging other microbes involved in regulating skin inflammation . Because of the perfect storm of contributing factors that come together to create acne, simply rebalancing to reduce the production of proinflammatories and taking care with fibre intake, will not be enough to control acne in every sufferer. For example, it will obviously not help people who are predisposed to have raised levels of the hormone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate , and so on, but it should go a long way to help many others .
Who Can Use Probiotics
Regardless of whether you want to use probiotics to improve skin health or do something else, you may be wondering if this type of supplement is suitable for you to use.
The good news is, probiotics are a good option for most healthy adults. However, some potential users may need to show an extra degree of caution, while a minority of individuals may not be able to use probiotic supplements at all.
As with any form of supplement, if you have existing health issues, it’s always a wise move to check with your doctor before using probiotic supplements. This is especially true if you would need to use the supplement alongside medication.
In most cases, there should be no problem combining the two but it never hurts to check.
However, probiotics are likely a poor skin health option for people whose immune systems are not functioning correctly.
Poor immune function is not restricted to people who are HIV positive or have AIDS. Certain medications have the potential to hinder immunity too.
The Corticosteroid medications that are sometimes used for treating arthritis and asthma, are one example. The TNF inhibitors that doctors prescribe for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis are another. As are the immunosuppressants people have to take for the rest of their lives after having received an organ transplant.
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L Acidophilus + B Bifidum
Years later, in 1987, researchers explored the value of using freeze-dried L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum alongside standard antibiotic acne treatments.
In this case, there was a placebo group in place and the participants receiving the probiotic showed greater improvements in their skin lesions. They also demonstrated better tolerance to antibiotics.
In 2001, researchers in Russia conducted a similar experiment. Again, the two probiotic species they chose were L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum, used alongside traditional acne treatments. The results were favorable and certainly appear to endorse the use of probiotic supplements alongside traditional acne treatments.
Probiotics For Better Mood And Diet Choices
Does your diet influence your gut bacteria or do your gut bacteria influence your diet? That is the question researchers have been trying to answer. Studies involving rats have found evidence that probiotics have a significant effect on mental health and food seeking behavior.
For example, one study found that supplementation with Bifidobacteria reduced brain stress hormones in rats and doubling the Lactobacilli found in feces by supplementing their diet with Lactobacillus probiotics contributed to reduced anxiety-like behavior.1
Stress and anxiety can impact dietary decisions. Mice normally opt for high-fat foods, but when stressed, mice are more likely to pick high-carbohydrate foods.2 In humans, diets high in refined carbohydrates have been linked to adult acne.3
Indeed, our research has found that one of the ways to combat acne is to start observing a low-carbohydrate diet or to implement a low-glycemic index diet. Probiotics may help support mood and healthier diet choices.
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What Attracted You To Participating In This Study
One of the most common skin ailments I see in my dermatology clinic is breakouts. More and more often my patients want to know how they can treat it not only with topical and oral prescription medications, but with other natural remedies as well. Probiotics are an exciting area of study right now for skin, so I was eager to learn more about Skin Squad.
What Are The Benefits Of Probiotics For The Skin
Probiotics improve the functioning of the digestive system and then reduce inflammation throughout the body. They have been shown to play important roles in the digestive system and skin health, such as preventing acne.
Oils for acneWhat is the best natural oil for acne? An important sage ester called linalyl acetate reduces skin inflammation and acts as a natural remedy for acne and skin irritations. It also regulates the production of sebum in the skin, a factor often associated with pimples.Are natural oils the best acne treatment?When it comes to skin care and natural acne treatment, the best natu
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