You may not think of probiotics as a treatment for acne, but the good bacteria benefit not only your digestive health but also your skin when applied topically or consumed orally.
Probiotics keep in check any harmful bacteria in the gut, but when there's an unhealthy atmosphere, it can cause inflammation, which extends to
skin problems and acne, says New York magazine.
Therefore, possible benefits from having probiotics in the diet include improved digestion, stronger immunity, and clearer skin.
Dr. Whiney Bowe, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York,
tells Prevention she recommends looking for skin care products with types of probiotics that have shown to be effective in studies. These probiotics for acne include Streptococcus thermophiles, Bifidobacterium longum, Enterococcus faecalis, and Streptococcus salivarius.
Supplements and probiotic foods such as yogurt with live active cultures, sauerkraut, miso soup, and kefir, can be effective for acne treatment. Supplements supported through research include Align and Culturelle, Bowe notes.
Skin care manufacturers are using probiotics in cleansers, creams and masks, which may help the immune system,
according to American Academy of Dermatology. The immune system tries to fight foreign invaders such as bad bacteria, but the reaction can result in inflammation and skin problems.
A Korean study of 56 acne patients found a reduction in acne lesions and decreased oil production after drinking Lactobacillus-fermented dairy beverages for 12 weeks. An Italian study found that patients who took probiotic supplements had a better clearing of skin than those who did not receive the supplements.
Bowe says probiotics in foods or supplements would not necessarily work alone to treat acne, but “they could be used as an effective combination therapy with prescription medications or over-the-counter topical treatments.” She recommends patients talk to their doctor about taking dietary or supplemental probiotics for acne.
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