Including probiotics in food or supplements, can turn on enzymes and dictate much of our good health, including the skin. Probiotic foods contain live microorganisms that help to balance the good bacteria that reside within the body, making them critical players in rendering a healthy gut microbiome. Since your gut invariably affects your skin, stocking up on probiotics is recommended by health experts.
Recent trends in skincare too show that the bacteria present in some foods are right for you, which goes beyond your digestive system.
We all have unique yet delicate and special skin types. There’s enough evidence to prove that probiotic strains can effectively treat all skin types and conditions. Read on to know how it benefits skin!
Certain strains of probiotics are seen to have a beneficial effect on the skin barrier. The stronger the skin barrier, the more the reduction of water from the skin. Consequently, your skin will stay healthy and well-hydrated for more extended periods of time- leaving your skin glowing and supple throughout the day.
A study conducted on women who took probiotics during pregnancy revealed those children had an 83% lesser risk of developing eczema and skin-related diseases in the first two years of life (1).
However, the probable link between probiotics and reduced eczema severity is still weak, and only more research can ascertain its effect on the skin(2).
The presence of pathogenic microbes in the skin and other nutritional conditions often lead to inflammation of the skin. Probiotic strains can reduce inflammatory responses in people with milk or dairy allergies. However, the evidence is weak, and further studies are needed (3). Probiotics like lactobacillus microbes found in milk help prevent and reduce inflammation of skin like in the case of psoriasis.
[Read: Super-Effective Essential Oils for Skin]
Probiotics are useful when it comes to the clarification of your skin. It helps to strengthen the skin barrier and helps build immunity to external microbes, which can cause inflammation and skin eruptions. Researchers supported this by an experiment that indicates that an application of 2% probiotics based cosmetic cream, showed a 13% improvement in the skin barrier within a week in women.
The topical use of probiotics can help you build collagen. This helps to achieve a stronger skin structure and also adds smoothness to your appearance. Also, the reduced inflammatory response makes your skin more resistant to the adverse effects of exposure to the sun, which in turn results in reduced wrinkles and fine lines.
Probiotics help in the building of collagen for the skin. This eliminates all the toxins and free radicals from your skin enabling it to repair the skin damages.
It is rightly said – “You are what you eat!” Probiotics help rid your body of all the harmful radicals and toxins from the body. The result is evident on your skin. The complexion is improved(4) and much clearer. Including probiotics like yogurt, buttermilk, and pickled gherkins in your daily diet helps to aid good skin health. Probiotics can even be taken orally in the form of supplements. A14-strain live bacteria supplement can result in an improved complexion within six weeks!
[Read: Apple Cider Vinegar for Skin Tags Removal]
Probiotics may effectively help to treat acne. Eating and/or supplementing with probiotics may help calm inflammation in the skin as well as improve acne.
Skin disorders ideally include itchiness, burning sensation and sensitivity, and/or even scars. Active users of probiotics have reported diminished scarring and improved smoothness of the skin on the topical application of probiotics.
Probiotics are available in the market in the form of pickled gherkins, yogurt, buttermilk, brine-cured olives, which can be included in the daily diet. These are also available(5) in the form of powder and supplements.
[Read: Grapeseed Oil for Skin]
There is no set dosage for probiotics when included through a probiotic diet. However, in the case of supplements, you can consult a health care provider for the required dosage. The probiotics are dosed by the number of live organisms they contain. For instance, a typical dosage of Lactobacillus acidophilus ranges between 1 billion to 10 billion live organisms split into three or four doses indicated as colony forming units (CFU).
[Read: Soyabean Oil for Skin]
Overdose of probiotics may lead to headaches, increased histamine levels, and even have adverse effects. So always take the prescribed dose.
There are various arguments on this matter. Some say you should take it on an empty stomach when the gastric acid level is low. While others say, it should be taken along with food. Probiotics should be taken with food since it rids off toxins during digestion, helping to improve your skin.
No. Taking too many probiotics will lead to headaches, adverse effects, and increased histamine levels. It can prove to be harmful to your body. So, if you wish to take probiotics in a tablet form, ask your physician or nutritionist to prescribe you with the exact amount to avoid its side effects.