Probiotics are live microorganisms that have been gaining interest due to their potential in promoting skin health. The skin microbiome comprises of different species of microorganisms. An imbalance in these microorganisms leads to skin disorders like psoriasis, acne, atopic dermatitis and rosacea.
Dr. Atula Gupta, MBBS, MD – Dermatology, Venereology & Leprosy, says, “The disturbance in the composition of skin microbiome is known as dysbiosis. Environmental stress and other factors can cause a shift of beneficial microbes to pathogenic microbes causing itching and inflammation. Topical and oral probiotics are thought to improve skin health in different ways. Probiotics can change the skin microbiome by inhibiting pathogenic bacteria and promoting the growth of beneficial ones.”
Several studies have established the association between inflammatory skin diseases and disturbed gut microbiome. There is therefore a potential of using oral probiotics as a therapeutic option in several skin diseases. However, there are limited clinical studies that have proven the efficacy of topical probiotic products.
Therapeutic applications of probiotics
Probiotics may have several therapeutic applications in skin health considering their promising evidence in research studies. Dr Gupta explains the applications:
Role of Topical Probiotics in the Skin Microbiome
Dr Gupta shares, “In recent years, advances have been made to understand how a disturbed microbiome impacts skin health. Various dermatological formulations containing probiotics are being used to treat skin conditions. Several clinical trials are being carried out to study the beneficial role as well as adverse effects of topical probiotic formulations for managing conditions like atopic dermatitis, acne, rosacea, wound healing and other skin diseases.”
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