The Pros and Cons of Probiotics in Skin Care
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria found in products such as live yoghurt. Science has woken up the benefits of probiotics in our digestive tracts, and now there are murmurs that these useful microbes could help improve the condition of skin. Is there any truth in this?
Yes…up to a point. Some dermatologists and skin care companies have been promoting probiotic ingredients for their alleged anti-aging properties, but convincing scientific proof is thin on the ground.
However, probiotics can be beneficial in fighting inflammatory conditions that cause skin problems such as acne and rosacea. Here’s one expert opinion:
"While more studies are needed to identify the most beneficial aspects of probiotics and determine whether topical or oral probotics yield the best results, I think we can expect to see some cutting-edge probiotic products for acne and rosacea in the near future,” said Dr. Bowe. “Until then, I would recommend that patients with acne or rosacea see their dermatologist to talk about adding foods with live active cultures, such as yogurt, to their diets or taking an oral probiotic supplement daily. Although I don’t envision probiotics ever being used as a stand-alone treatment for acne or rosacea, they could be used as an effective combination therapy with prescription medications or over-the-counter topical treatments."