Topical Probiotics for Better Skin

 

Topical Probiotics for Better Skin

Topical application of probiotics is relatively new, yet is quickly gaining popularity for its versatility and ability to restore balance to all skin types. Recently, probiotics have been documented to help improve atopic eczema and atopic dermatitis, heal burns and scars, rejuvenate skin and improve skin’s innate immunity. A study from 2016 on the anti-aging benefits of probiotics reveals they can: restore acidic skin pH, alleviate oxidative stress, reduce photoaging and improve skin barrier function.¹ Documented benefits of probiotics are listed in Skin Benefits of Probiotics. In addition, the brightening, anti-wrinkle and antimicrobial benefits are discussed below.
Anti-wrinkle. Probiotics reduce the physical signs of aging by building collagen. In addition, they reduce the impact of sun exposure to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. W.P. Bowe, one of the study’s authors, confirms this. “As we age, the pH of our skin rises and triggers certain enzymes in the skin to break down collagen, thereby accelerating the signs of aging,” she said. “We need probiotics that produce metabolites, such as lactic acid to bring that pH back down and slow the aging process.”

Antimicr­obial. In patients with acne and rosacea, living microorg­anisms on the skin are recognized as foreign by the body’s immune system. The immune system springs into action to counter this potential threat, resulting in inflammation and redness. Topical probiotics prevent the skin cells from seeing the bad bacteria and parasites that can provoke an immune reaction—a process known as bacterial interference. Probiotics contain antimicr­obials that kill bad bacteria. They also have a calming effect on acne flare-ups, preventing the immune system from sending “attack” messages that result in flares of acne or rosacea.
Brightening. Uneven skin tone and loss of a youthful glow are top skin care concerns. Probiotic products enhance and fortify the skin’s ability to do what it does naturally: renew and rejuvenate itself. The skin renewal processes are both accelerated and improved, promoting skin health.

Future Trends

Since skin treatment with probioticss is a relatively new concept, new ingredient technologies, product forms and trends utilizing them will continue to proliferate. On the horizon for probioics will be: fermentation, cleansers, patches and injectables, as discussed below.
Fermentation. Through the fermentation process, probiotic bacteria produce acidic compounds like lactic acid, reducing the pH of skin. Acidifying the skin discourages the growth of most pathogens favoring growth of resident flora. Skin microbiota controls the colonization of potentially pathogenic organisms, modulates immune response and skin barrier function, and is integral for skin health.
An example of fermented probiotics is lactococcus ferment lysate. This fermented probiotic positively influences both the speed and quality of epidermal growth, resulting in better barrier function and overall skin quality.
Cleansers. Cleansers containing probiotics will play a larger role in the overall protocols of skin care. There will be less water content in the cleansers of the future as they become more concentrated. They will also offer improved exfoliation while being more gentle on the skin barrier layer. I expect that cleansers will become more important as branded products, and certain brands will be utilized more by skin care professionals who will become educated in the new technologies. Probiotic cleansers will become popular with consumers because they will feel so much gentler when applied to the face.

Patches. As with many technologies that have come before, the more we learn about the impact of probiotics on other body organs in addition to the skin, the greater role they will play in the entire wellness sector. We have already seen positive evidence in treatments of certain diseases of the skin from the use of probiotic patches. For example, 50 participating physicians are in the preliminary stages of development treating nearly atypical cells that could lead to melanoma with probiotic patches.
Injectables. There is growing evidence that probiotic technologies can be applied into further research and development, which may result in having the ability to develop treatments for disease states that are more effective, safer and less costly than present modalities. While still in the early stages of development, certain cancerous tumors have been attacked and eliminated by injecting certain bacteria into the affected cells, killing them without causing harm to the surrounding healthy cells.

Proof Positive

Undoubtedly, you will see more product manufacturers debut probiotic formulations in the coming years. If they peak your interest, it is wise to ask them if the products are clinically tested for safety and efficacy, produced in the United States and produced under strict current good manufacturing practices (cGMP*). If all of the information you receive checks out, incorporate probiotics into your client’s regimen.
Research into the potential applications of probiotics continues, and all of this research is proof positive that probiotics will play a much larger role in health and wellness over the coming years.



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