But can they really clear your complexion? Note: this article is about oral probiotics i. the type you take as a supplement. Do probiotics help with acne? Can all probiotics help acne? How do probiotics help acne? Best probiotic for acne How long do probiotics take to work for acne?

Can probiotics make you break out? Takeaway points. This is because the effects of probiotics are strain-specific, meaning not all strains will deliver the same result [ 5 ]. This is easy to understand if you think of probiotic strains like dog breeds: you have many breeds with different qualities and abilities.

You can identify the probiotic strain by the third part of its name. They also change. As well as strains that have been studied for acne specifically, we can consider probiotics strains that have been shown to influence acne-driving pathways.

Luckily, there are lots of these! Improve insulin sensitivity [ 6 ]. Regular readers will know that too much insulin kicks off the hormonal cascade that leads to acne. Reduce inflammation. Most people think inflammation follows acne, but inflammation in the body can trigger acne [ 7 ].

Probiotics may influence your immune system and reduce levels of inflammation—which is excellent news for your skin [ 8 ]. Modulate your gut bacteria. By now, we all know that the gut and the skin are linked. Studies show that people with acne have out-of-whack gut bacteria, and are also more prone to constipation [ 9 , 10 ].

Taking probiotics can balance your gut bacteria and encourage regular bowel movements which are essential for normal detoxification and healthy skin! Reduce oxidative stress. Breakouts are a big old oxidative stress party, which means your skin and your body is struggling to detoxify and repair damage effectively [ 12 ].

Instead, it means you need to give your body the tools to carry out its normal functions with ease. Probiotics are brilliant tools because they help your body in several ways see above , reducing oxidative stress as a result [ 13 ].

Improve your skin barrier. A study using skin culture found that Lactobacillus paracasei ST11 improved skin barrier recovery [ 14 ]. A strong skin barrier sets the stage for clear skin. As well as supporting skin, this strain can promote good digestion and a healthy immune system. Yes, this advice flies in the face of strain-specificity—but for a good reason.

acnes in the pores can trigger an immune response that causes inflammation that leads to breakouts. Other triggers include hormones , which often lead to overactive oil glands that clog your pores and lead to breakouts, explains Dr. Finally, you can also blame your acne-prone skin on plain old genetics.

While there's no specific "acne gene," per se, there are genetic components that can make you more susceptible to acne, says Dr. An example of that might be a parent who passed down a hormonal condition such as polycystic ovary syndrome , which increases the chances of developing acne, or a parent who's particularly sensitive to bacteria, which leads to inflammation that often results in acne.

Probiotics are live microorganisms e. bacteria that can maintain or improve the growth of good bacteria in the body when consumed through, for example, fermented foods, yogurt, or dietary supplements, according to the Mayo Clinic. And while you're technically born with a whole bunch of probiotics, certain factors such as poor diet and the use of antibiotics can reduce the amount you have in your body.

This causes an imbalance in the gut and can lead to [patients] developing digestive issues and yeast infections during treatment. Probiotics can help restore balance by reintroducing more good bacteria and reduce some of those symptoms. These little bugs work primarily in the gastrointestinal tract, where they can positively impact your gut microbiome and, in doing so, help protect your GI tract from an overgrowth of harmful microorganisms as well as improve your digestion and gut function, according to the National Institutes of Health.

In addition to keeping your GI system in check, probiotics can also provide a myriad of other health benefits , including but not limited to improving your mood, boosting your immunity, and promotehealthy skin function. And while, yes, too much of a good thing — including good bacteria — can lead to some issues think: bloating, nausea, constipation , too much bad bacteria can also wreak havoc on your health.

Essentially, probiotics help establish a healthy balance of microbiota aka good and bad microbes , which, in turn, can potentially promote clearer skin.

So, they act as the catalyst in a waterfall of beneficial health outcomes. While the gut-skin interface is something that experts are still studying, more and more studies show that the two are deeply connected, notes Dr.

For instance, when you experience issues with your gut — whether that be a bacterial imbalance, inflammation, or even simple digestive issues e. constipation, diarrhea , gas — you might very well notice a change in your skin as well. In fact, a study suggests that irritable bowel syndrome is "significantly more common" in patients with acne than those without.

What's more, the severity of acne in those with IBS was higher or worse than in healthy participants. Henry also points out that stomach complications such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth — which occurs as the result of an abnormal increase in the overall bacterial population in the small intestine — can often lead to flares in rosacea a skin condition that causes redness, skin bumps, and broken blood vessels.

That said, while these examples clearly show there's some kind of relationship between tummy troubles and skin conditions — more research still needs to be done to determine whether one actually causes the other. While most people should be able to add probiotics to their regimen without any issues, there's always the possibility of a reaction when trying a new supplement, explains Dr.

That's why it's always best to consult your own doctor before adding any new supplements to your routine, as they're familiar with your medical history and can help you determine what probiotic would be best for you and your symptoms. See also: Are Dietary Supplements Really Safe? In general, though, "you can take an oral probiotic daily, just like you would a daily multi-vitamin," says Dr.

Henry, who frequently recommends oral probiotics to patients who are taking antibiotics for skin conditions such as acne, eczema , or rosacea to encourage the balance of good and bad bacteria. Probiotics are also "great to use for acne prevention and other anti-inflammatory conditions," because they keep the bacteria balance in check and steady, she adds.

When it comes to oral probiotics, Dr. Henry suggests any over-the-counter supplement that contains Lactobacillus , which is a type of "good bacteria" found in the gut and urinary tract.

Her go-to is Garden of Life's Dr. And while there's nothing necessarily wrong with trying a single-strain probiotic, some experts believe that "more strains imply more chances of success," and "a broader spectrum of efficacy" thanks to the increased diversity of bacteria in the product, according to a scientific review.

You'll be happy to know that probiotics can be equally effective in treating acne when applied topically, according to Dr. Topical probiotics work by calming the skin barrier and encouraging good bacteria to flourish.

This, again, reduces inflammation and allows your skin barrier to fight against acne-causing environmental pathogens. Some of Dr. For these topical probiotics to be most effective, Dr.

Henry recommends applying them right after washing your face and before applying anything else to your skin, such as a serum or night cream. Results will vary from person to person, but Dr. Henry recommends giving the new regimen — whether that includes an oral or topical probiotic — four to six weeks to see if it's working.

To reiterate JIC: Acne can be a bitch. Breakouts can stubbornly stay put on your face or body! no matter how many topicals or orals you might try.