Probiotics for Acne Treatment – Research Review

Clinical studies have shown using probiotics for acne treatment is beneficial. Probiotics may help by improving defenses against inflammation and the growth of harmful bacteria in the gut, which could contribute to acne developing.

Acne is a skin condition that often involves the Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) bacteria on the skin. This bacterium is normally present on the skin, but when acne inflammation is present, it grows excessively and may contribute to damage to the skin.

The precise pathology of acne is still a matter of debate and there are a number of theories to explain the different causes of this skin condition. However, research has shown that probiotics can help in alleviating the condition and potentially reducing visible symptoms.

What are the best types of probiotic supplements to prevent acne from occurring and to keep skin looking its best? This article will discuss some of the causes of acne and help you select the best probiotics strains to use.

Probiotics

Digestive Supplement

Gut Health

Digestion

Immune Function

How It Works:

• Supports a healthy immune system & microflora
• Promotes digestion & nutrient absoprtion
• Combats pathogenic bacteria; Improves metabolism

Dosage:

Between 1 - 10 Billion CFUs per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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What Exactly is Acne?

Acne is an inflammatory disease whereby the sebaceous glands of the skin become inflamed, elevated and may form pustules or papules. The structure of skin where acne develops is called the pilosebaceous unit.

The central canal of this unit is the follicle, which has a hair shaft and an opening to the skin (a pore). The sebaceous glands are the small sacs in the follicle that produce sebum, which is a skin and hair lubricant.

The hormone testosterone stimulates the production of sebum and keratin, a fibrous protein that lines the follicle.

In acne, the skin cells shed in higher amounts and stick together. When these skin cells combine with the excess sebum, an enlarged follicle (microcomdeo) is created.

During this process the bacterium Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) flourishes and destroys the pore lining.

This causes the cellular debris to enter the surrounding area and causes inflammation. We see acne manifesting on the skin in the form of pimples, whiteheads or zits.

How do Probiotics help Acne?

Probiotics are the good bacterial organisms that colonize the gastrointestinal tract of the human body. They are necessary to prevent bad pathogenic bacteria from colonizing and they work to support the immune system as well as digestive processes.

Maintaining a healthy balance of good and bad bacteria is important for digestive health, but also for health of many of the other systems in the body.

Probiotics may work to reduce the likelihood of developing acne. This is because a reported 50% of people with acne have hypochlorhydria, below normal levels of stomach acids (hydrochloric acid).

Probiotics can help to restore a healthy acid balance to the digestive tract, which may reduce the likelihood of acne from occurring.

Some people also find that being on a course of antibiotics makes their acne worse. Probiotics are useful for this cause of acne as well.

Probiotics for Acne Research

In 1961, a case report examining 300 acne patients found that 80% of the patients saw an improvement in their symptoms when using Lactobacillus probiotics. This is a family of Lactic-Acid Bacteria (LAB) that is found naturally in the short intestine.

These bacteria break down foods that we eat and produce lactic acid from lactose found in milk products. By increasing the amount of lactic acid found in the gut, the pH balance is lowered. This makes the gut environment less hospitable to pathogenic bacteria, such as P. acnes.

Researchers have suggested that this can prevent small intestinal bacterial over growth (SIBO), which has been linked to certain forms of acne.

Another Italian study looked at 40 patients with acne who were given a 250mg oral supplement that contained freeze-dried L. acidophilus and B. bifidum in addition to a standard acne treatment.

The group given the probiotic experienced better outcomes for the treatment of their acne and were more likely to use the antibiotics because of a better tolerance to potential side effects.

In another study, giving patients with acne a Lactobacillus-fermented dairy beverage resulted in better clinical markers for acne over a 12-week treatment period. There were fewer total lesions on the skin and a reduction in sebum production for those given the probiotic drink.

Additional Findings

Diet plays an important role in Acne vulgaris as it affects the hormones (testosterone) that regulate abnormal skin cell function.

According to Loren Cordain, Ph.D., author of the Dietary Cure for Acne, diets high in dairy products, refined grains, refined vegetable oils, trans-fats and saturated fats and whole grains and legumes directly affect the formation of acne.

This diet is also likely to contain sources rich in both probiotics and prebiotics – a type of fiber that stimulates the growth of probiotics in the gut.

Gastrointestinal dysfunction also causes conditions of seborrhea (red, itchy rash and white scales), seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff when on scalp), and rosacea (rash found on the central part of the face). Probiotics also help with all these symptoms.

Skin conditions are best treated internally and externally. There are a number of topical probiotic treatments as well that can be applied directly to the skin for acne and other skin conditions.

Are Probiotics Safe?

Probiotic supplements are generally well tolerated and are unlikely to cause serious side effects in healthy adults or teenagers. In most cases, side effects consist of digestive discomfort, bloating, gas or diarrhea.

Milk-based probiotics should be avoided for people allergic to dairy products. Probiotics should also not be taken by people with immune deficiency conditions.

People with short bowel disease or who use catheters should also avoid probiotics as there have been cases where probiotics have been the cause of infections. People with post-surgery open wounds should also avoid this supplement.

Probiotics safety for use during pregnancy and nursing is unknown as this time. Some strains have been used safely in research studies, but it is recommended to check with your doctor before taking any supplement if you are pregnant.

Probiotics for acne are useful for helping the skin condition symptoms as well as the underlying digestive problems that may be causing other unpleasant symptoms like bloating and constipation.

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