Probiotics are living microorganisms in our gut that provide health benefits to the host. In recent years, a large number of studies have been done on probiotics with the relationship on guts but now beyond the gut, to mood, brain, immune and even skin. With the booming skincare products that contain probiotics, what is exactly is the link between probiotics and skin?
Probiotics have been shown to be beneficial with a variety of skin conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea that are usually inflammatory conditions.
A new oral acne solution
There is now growing evidence for use of probiotics as well as prebiotic in the treatment of acne. Acne formation is a complex process that includes excess sebum production that leads to colonization of propionibacterium acnes(p.acne) that ultimately leads to a cascade of inflammatory reactions that results in the little red bump you see on the skin. Probiotics have shown to directly inhibit p.acnes through the production of antibacterial proteins such as bacteriocins. Oral administration of probiotics has shown to limit MHC class II surrounding the hair follicles, given that the perifollicular inflammation appears to be the first step of acne development, this will prevent acne formation. Clinical trials on oral probiotics resulted in improved acneiform lesions compared to non-supplemented groups. Those that received probiotics while receiving acne therapy resulted in more rapid clinical improvement.
Anti-aging effects
Aging is a complex process that we all face. It is an interaction of intrinsic aging factors such as your genetic makeup & hormonal influences as well as your extrinsic aging factors such as UV light, pollution, trauma, cigarette smoking and infections. On the molecular level, aging on the skin is due to an increase in the skin pH, increased matrix metalloproteinase and a decreased ability to fight off reactive oxygen species. Healthy skins have a slightly acidic pH that ranges from 4.2-5.6, which provides a not-so-favourable condition for bacterial growth. However, after certain ages, the pH of the skin rises significantly. Probiotics metabolism frequently produces acidic molecules thus lowering the pH of the surrounding environment. Free radicals also result from normal metabolic processes as well as activities such as UV light, pollution or smoking, and as we grow older, we are exposed to UV light or pollutions longer. Studies indicate that probiotics may slow the aging of the skin by restoring the balance between free radical scavengers and the free radical production that resulted from UV light or pollution exposure.
Human studies have shown the role of oral probiotics in attenuating UV-induced photodamage. The supplementation group has shown a decrease in UV induced in Langerhans cell density and accelerated the recovery of immune system homeostasis after exposure to UVR in comparison to the control group.
Conclusion: Prebiotics and probiotics are worth the hype
If you thought you didn’t need any gut-changing brain alternating microbe, here’s a new reason to love them, for your skin. There are many ways to consume probiotics, but if you are looking for a low-calorie option, that contains not only probiotics but also prebiotics & postbiotics, R's KOSO is your solution.
R’s KOSO is a fermented drink using the traditional Japanese method through fermentation of fruits & plants which provides abundant probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics that help you to restore your gut microbes and also glowing skin.
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