Are Probiotics the Next Big Thing in Skincare?

You’ve likely heard about probiotics and gut health but now they’re being touted as the secret to glowing skin. The latest buzz? Probiotics for your skin, not just your stomach.

From yoghurt tubs to skincare tubs, probiotics are turning up everywhere. But with so much information already out there about what they are, how they work, and what they do for your digestion, it’s understandable if adding them to your beauty routine feels like a step too far.

So, is it worth it? We asked experts to explain how probiotics might benefit your skin and whether the hype matches the science.

What are probiotics?

“Probiotics are a combination of helpful bacteria and yeast that may be applied to the body or consumed,” explains dermatologist Dr Ife Rodney. “They help balance the good and bad bacteria in the body, supporting overall gut health.”

You’ll find probiotics in some supplements—many people take them daily for general health, while others choose blends that target specific concerns like skin or vaginal health. They’re also naturally present in fermented foods such as certain yoghurts, kefir, kimchi and sauerkraut—to name a few.

What are prebiotics?

Prebiotics are the fuel that probiotics feed on. In dietary terms, that means complex carbohydrates which are fibre-rich foods like bananas, legumes and whole grains. In skincare, the research is still emerging, but some evidence suggests prebiotics may help restore the skin barrier and soothe irritation, particularly in conditions like eczema and atopic dermatitis.

What are postbiotics?

Postbiotics are the byproducts of probiotic activity—essentially, what’s left behind after your body uses up the pre- and probiotics. These include vitamins, peptides and fatty acids, and they’re already popping up in skincare products.

The benefit? Postbiotics aren’t live organisms, so they’re more stable on the shelf than traditional probiotics. While research is limited, early findings suggest they may help improve skin hydration, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and even aid wound healing.

What is the skin microbiome?

If you’re wondering how all of these ingredients impact the skin, it’s because, just like the gut, the skin has a specific and finicky microbiome. It’s “covered with many millions of microscopic bacteria, fungi and even viruses,” explains Dr Snehal Amin, all of which “interact with each other and the host and form part of the barrier against pathogenic organisms.” In short: the microbes are beneficial to your skin and help keep it healthy.

Just like in your gut, when the microbiome becomes unbalanced and the wrong ratio of organisms are present, science suggests an array of common skin issues can crop up, Dr Amin explains. An imbalance can be caused by age, hormonal changes, skincare, cosmetics, sun exposure and overall lifestyle, Dr Rodney adds. Specific areas of the skin and their biogeography (like how an armpit can be damp and warm), gender, ethnicity, geographic locations, climate and even face masks can also impact the skin’s microbiome, adds chief scientific officer Dirk Gevers.

Do probiotics have benefits for the skin?

Research suggests they 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 there can cause inflammation. Studies have even found that probiotics may 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 you’re intrigued by a probiotic-infused cream, for example. “There is growing data suggesting that the topical application of probiotics can help with inflammatory skin disease including eczema, acne, seborrhoeic 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.

“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 reputable 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 every time 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 fibre-filled fruits and vegetables into your diet to ensure you’re also getting the prebiotics they need to thrive, which will, post-digestion, give you the reward of postbiotics too.
• 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 - 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 or oral probiotic, here are our experts’ picks.

Dietary supplements are products intended to supplement the diet. They are not medicines and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent or cure diseases. Be cautious about taking dietary supplements if you are pregnant or nursing. Also, be careful about giving supplements to a child, unless recommended by their healthcare provider.