Results I’ve Seen Since Taking a Probiotic for My Acne Skin

Probiotics have many health benefits but did you know they are also a popular form of treatment for acne skin? There are several types of probiotics for acne. We can incorporate them in our diets through the food and drink that we consume. We can also apply them topically in acne treatments and products, and through probiotic acne supplements.

In this blog, we will break down the causes of acne. We’ll also cover how probiotics help reduce acne breakouts, and how to heal scarring which can occur post-breakout.

Do Probiotics Help Acne Skin?

What are the benefits of probiotics? There is evidence to suggest that probiotics in topical and dietary supplement form can be beneficial. They can offer both internal and external benefits. However, as with any form of skin treatment, results may differ depending on the individual.

Probiotic supplements help acne as their main function/benefit for the body is to calm internal and external inflammation. Probiotics for acne also work to restore the skin’s natural barrier. Therefore, they’re a great option for those suffering from any type of inflammation, not just acne, but also eczema and rosacea.

Probiotics can be an effective cystic acne treatment. This is because generally cystic and/or hormonal acne are indicative of internal bodily issues. These issues include hormonal or immune imbalance.

Probiotics are live microorganisms whose purpose is to regulate healthy gut bacteria and fight off harmful pathogens and bacteria. For this reason, probiotics are often referred to as ‘good bacteria’. This is why they’re one of the best acne spot treatments. Probiotics heal the skin and the body from the inside out. Try probiotics for acne and you should be able to see a visible change in your acne skin for the better.

How Can I Treat My Acne With Probiotics?

Acne can be treated with probiotics in a variety of ways. Delivery can be done topically in the form of acne treatment creams or serums containing probiotics. It can also be as a daily supplement, and/or incorporated into your diet in food and drink.

There is an abundance of probiotic foods which can be easily incorporated or swapped into your diet. These can all aid in calming gut inflammation. Incorporating these foods can reduce the appearance of skin inflammation in the form of acne breakouts. Foods such as yoghurts, kimchi, miso, pickles, sauerkraut to name but a few, are all gut-friendly probiotics. They can be easily incorporated into your diet.

However, there have been recent studies suggesting that dairy may aggravate acne in some people. It may be an idea to look for a dairy-free probiotic to avoid potential further skin aggravation. Listen and pay attention to your skin when consuming and using certain ingredients. Whether in your diet or skincare routine, this is essential to find what sort of probiotic is best for you.

What Are The Most Effective Supplements for Gut Health and Acne Skin?

With many gut health supplements and probiotics or acne on the market, it can be really hard to distinguish which supplements are effective.

Two of the best supplements on the market for gut health and acne are Osmosis Digestive Support and Skin Clarifier. Although these aren’t technically probiotics, they have similar benefits, but are more advanced. If mucus and harmful bacteria target the digestive tract, our skin becomes compromised. This leaves it open to inflammation and skin conditions such as acne. Both of these Osmosis products work to counteract this.

Digestive Support from Osmosis Beauty is perfect for reducing acne and gut inflammation, as well as rosacea. This is because the supplement uses fast-acting enzymes to boost the digestive process. This cleanses toxins with natural enzymes found in plant cells which have anti-inflammatory properties.

The Osmosis Skin Clarifier expels excess mucus found in the digestive tract. This helps to remove spots and blackheads, while also brightening the skin due to its antioxidant ingredients. The 10-day cleansing blemish from Osmosis uses 3 powerful plant powders that remove the toxins and mucus in the gut. This alleviates digestive and skin conditions like acne, as well as bloating.

What Are the Benefits of Taking Probiotics for Acne?

The benefits of taking probiotics for acne is that whether topical or a supplement, it calms inflammation in the skin. This therefore reduces the frequency and severity of acne breakouts.

If you are noticing a consistent appearance of whiteheads, blackheads, and breakouts especially along the chin, this is indicative of hormonal imbalances. In this instance, a probiotic may be a great choice for blackhead removal, and as a hormonal acne chin treatment.

This is due to the fact that one of the main benefits of taking probiotics is that they reduce the body’s production of propionimbacterium. This is a bacteria which causes acne and aggravates existing inflammation. By reducing the body’s production, probiotics can reduce the rate of acne breakouts and also calm existing inflammation on the skin’s surface.

Probiotics are also not just great for those dealing with facial acne. As probiotics aid in resolving and controlling internal and external inflammation, they're an effective back acne treatment, and fungal acne treatment. Probiotics can therefore help the overall look and appearance of the skin on the body and face. They also ensure the digestive and immune system work at the most optimal rate with a healthy balance of gut bacteria.

Additionally, taking a probiotic can help protect against environmental damage. This is due to the fact that probiotics can help fight off harmful pathogens. These pathogens can trigger inflammation in our external and internal environment. Thus those dealing with acne pigmentation may also benefit from taking probiotics as they can protect against external aggressors. They do this while also rebuilding the skin’s natural barrier.

How Long Does It Take To See Acne Results?

An overall improvement in the rate of acne breakouts and a reduction of an inflamed look can vary depending on the person. Unfortunately, there is no one that fits all.

There have been various studies which suggest that generally people taking probiotics can see results anywhere from a few days to a few months after beginning a course. On average, it can take up to four to six weeks for the body to get used to a new skincare product or treatment. Resultantly, after six weeks, people may see a general improvement in the redness or aggravated appearance of acne. After twelve weeks, expect an improvement in the overall rate of acne breakouts.

How to Get Rid of Acne Scars?

Vitamin C is the best acne scar treatment. This is due to the fact that it is a potent antioxidant which means it can fight off free radicals and environmental aggressors. Both free radicals and aggressors worsen the effects of hyperpigmentation and acne scars.

Vitamin C is great as a protector from the sun and air pollution. It also helps ensure that no further damage or scarring comes from the environment. It works as a healer and a protector.

Does Vitamin C Help Acne Scars?

Vitamin C also has healing benefits as an acne scar treatment. It promotes an increase in collagen production. Collagen is the protein responsible for the skin’s structure and therefore it can accelerate acne wound/scar healing, especially in a topical form.

Another acne scar treatment that works to increase collagen production, similar to vitamin C, is retinol. Much like vitamin C, it promotes an increase in collagen production. This improves the overall tone and texture of the skin thus making it a great option for those looking to heal acne scars and discolouration.

How Long Does an Acne Skin Breakout Last?

As a general rule of thumb, skin purges/breakouts can last between four to six weeks after starting a new skincare routine/product. However, if it lasts longer than six weeks, it may be time to visit a dermatologist. This is to see whether there are other internal issues which may be causing and aggravating your skin breakout.

Hopefully, this blog has helped in breaking down the benefits and possible side effects of incorporating probiotics into your daily lifestyle. As always, it is important to listen to and pay attention to your skin and body’s needs. This ensures that you get the most benefit out of taking probiotics. Try probiotics for overall internal and external bodily health improvement.

Probiotics for Acne Studies

The evidence is becoming more and more apparent for the use of probiotics in treating acne, particularly in clinical trials. In fact, it's been found that probiotics actually directly inhibit the P.acnes thanks to their ability to produce antibacterial proteins.

Furthermore, oral probiotics also work to reduce inflammation on the skin, a key acne trait.

Dermatologists Mary-Margaret Kober and Dr Whitney Bowe explained that as skin inflammation is one of the first stages of acne, treating this inflammation early with oral probiotics may have key preventative benefits.

Furthermore, an Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) has also been found to play a role in acne. So what does this mean? Basically certain food such as low-fiber carbohydrates, as well as dairy, may play a role in acne development, driven by an increase in IFG-1. However, the probiotic Lactobacillus has been found to lower levels of IG-1. This suggests that probiotics may decrease levels of IGF-1, which in turn improves acne.

References:

1. 1. Bowe W P, DiRienzo J M, Filip J C, Margolis D J, Volgina A. Inhibition of Propionibacterium acnes by Bacteriocin-Like Inhibitory Substances (BLIS) Produced by Streptococcus Salivarius. J Drugs Dermatol. 2006 Oct; 5(9): 868–870.
2. 2. Bowe W, Patel N, Logan A. Acne Vulgaris, Probiotics and the Gut-Brain-Skin Axis: From Anecdote to Translational Medicine. Beneficial Microbes. 2014;5(2):185-199.
3. 3. Kober M, Bowe W. The Effect of Probiotics on Immune Regulation, Acne, and Photoaging. International Journal of Women's Dermatology. 2015;1(2):85-89.
4. 4. Adebamowo C, Spiegelman D, Berkey C, Danby F, Rockett H, Colditz G et al. Milk Consumption and Acne in Adolescent Girls. Dermatology Online Journal. 2006;12(4).
5. 5. Adebamowo C, Spiegelman D, Berkey C, Danby F, Rockett H, Colditz G et al. Milk Consumption and Acne in Teenaged Boys. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2008;58(5):787-793.