Probiotics, meaning “for life”, has been defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as "live microorganisms, which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.” These are nutrients the healthy bacteria in our bodies need to maintain a balanced environment. Known to man for centuries, probiotics are friendly, beneficial actives commonly taken by mouth. They have been used internally for many years as a means of reestablishing the state of equilibrium among naturally occurring bacteria in our bodies. Now topical probiotic formulations are becoming available for skin health and anti-aging benefits.1
Most often in foods and oral formulations, the probiotics come from two groups of bacteria, Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium. Within each group, there are different species (for example, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidus), and within each species, different strains (or varieties).
Recently, Kimoto-Nira et al investigated the effects of oral administration of a lactococcal strain on physiological changes associated with aging. Using senescence-accelerated mice (SAM), heat-killed Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris H61 (strain H61) was orally given to aged SAMP6 mice and was associated with a reduced incidence of skin ulcers and hair loss compared with controls. Spleen cells from mice fed strain H61 produced more interferon-gamma and IL-12 than those from control mice, suggesting administration of strain H61 altered immune responses. Fecal counts for Staphylococcus sp. were significantly lower (P<0.05) in mice fed strain H61, indicating a decrease of Staphylococcs sp. in the mice. Administration of living cells of strain H61 or fermented milk containing strain H61 was also associated with a suppression of incidence of skin ulcers and reduced hair loss. These results indicated that oral administration of strain H61 has the potential to suppress some of the manifestations associated with aging.2
Each day, our skin is under constant attack from the sun, pollution and chemicals found in our environment, leading to imbalances that cause wrinkles and other conditions that prematurely age and damage the skin. Products with probiotics balance the microflora of the skin, returning it to a naturally healthy state. When the skin is out of balance there is a destruction of the skin barrier leading to greater dispersion of foreign substances—such as harmful bacteria—that causes skin conditions such as wrinkles, rosacea, milia, acne, psoriasis and dermatitis. Probiotics in skin care balance the pH of the skin, reducing inflammation and redness and having a long-term effect against premature formation of wrinkles. Rosacea can be reduced or controlled when the skin is no longer too acidic or too base. Acne and dermatitis can also be reduced or eliminated when skin is brought back to its natural state.1
SK1N has developed probiotic products for anti-aging benefits, and Bioelements also brought to market a Probotix Anti-Aging Serum created with probiotics.
Topical bacteriocin is made with multiple natural strains of high concentration of bacteria allowing a four-pronged approach for topical acne treatment: 1) restore skin pH 2)control p-acne bacteria 3) reduce inflammation 4) nourish skin. With bacteriocin, a tiny bit of antibiotic-like matter produced by probiotic bacteria also works against fungus by exclusion, leaving no room for the bad fungus. The healthy skin bacteria go to work before the fungus takes hold. Bacteriocin’s manufacturers claim their proprietary formulation utilizes the extra-cellular products of the fermentation of the Bacillus Coagulans bacteria and shows tremendous activity as an antifungal and antibacterial agent. They claim in laboratory tests the product performs better than fluconazole against a wide number of common dermal pathogens including staph (and MRSA) and candida.
Dr. Ohhira's Probiotic Magoroku Skin Care Treatment is perfected during a five-year ancient Japanese fermentation process which utilizes Dr. Iichiroh Ohhira's powerful E. faecalis TH10 strain of lactic acid bacteria. According to the manufacturer, scientific research confirms when the skin absorbs Dr. Ohhira's Probiotic Magoroku Skin Care Treatment, beneficial lactic acid bacteria inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria that cause infections and inflammation, thus preventing skin disorders and treating cuts, burns, diaper rash, scars, acne, rosacea, eczema, insect bites, rashes, sunburn and skin sores caused by yeast and viral infections. The company claims benefits when used on bedsores, prickly heat, skin parasites, ringworm, toenail fungus, rosaceous, athlete’s foot and other skin conditions.
Thus, we can see that probiotics have entered the marketplace as an effective ingredient to balance skin pH and thus help prevent and improve a wide range of skin problems, including the external signs of aging, acne, rosacea, yeast and bacteria infections.
1) “Getting to Know Friendly Bacteria” CAM at the NIH, Summer 2006;13(2)
2) Kimoto-Nira H, Suzuki C, Kobayashi M, Sasaki K, Kurisaki J, Mizumachi K., Functional Biomolecules Research Team, National Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, Tsukuba, Ikenodai 2, Ibaraki, 305-0901, Japan. [email protected]