Skip the antibiotics: Probiotic cream reduces acne and improves skin microbiome, finds study

17 Feb 2022 --- Researchers at the University of Antwerp have found that altering the skin microbiome using select probiotic Lactobacilli strains can reduce inflammation and acne. After using the cream for eight weeks, participants saw 22.1% fewer acne lesions. Participants say their acne continued to improve several weeks after using the cream.

The cream presents acne sufferers with an alternative to antibiotic creams, which are a common treatment that contributes to antibiotic resistance.

“Lactobacilli are well-documented safe and beneficial bacteria that produce lactic acid as a broad-acting antimicrobial molecule that can inhibit the growth and activity of a wide array of competing bacteria. They can also often reduce inflammation in different conditions,” remarks the study’s head researcher, Sarah Lebeer.

“Therefore, we suspected they could work for this purpose even though they’re not highly abundant on the skin.”

Probiotics reduce inflammation
The reduction in acne is thought to come from the cream’s ability to modulate the cutaneous microbiome. It was found to reduce the relative abundance of Staphylococci, a bacteria thought to perpetuate acne.

Researchers selected three strains for the study: Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG, L. plantarum WCFS1 and Lactoplantibacillus pentosus KCA1. The bacteria strains were chosen using genome and functional screening, which looked at their robustness, predicted immune system interactions and safety.

The cream was developed with microcapsules containing the microorganisms.Lebeer also notes that the probiotic strains reduce inflammation, pointing to their potential for use in anti-inflammatory products.

Modulating the cutaneous microbiome
The study was randomized and included a control group who received a placebo to ensure the observed effects were a result of the probiotic rather than another factor.

Researchers asked participants to apply the cream daily over eight weeks. They found that after regularly using the cream over an extended period, inflammatory acne lesions on participants’ skin were significantly reduced.

Further, participants continued to report improved skin for up to four weeks after they ceased using the cream. The researchers theorize this is because the selected trio of bacteria act – at least in part – by modulating the immune system.

Probiotic power extends beyond the gut
Lebeer affirmed more research is needed to uncover the method of action for these bacteria in treating acne.

The head researcher is a board member of the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), which published the “scientific consensus” definition of probiotics in 2014.

Mary Ellen Sanders, executive officer of the ISAPP, says this definition was made to encompass all the potential probiotics have, not just for the gut. “This research elegantly shows the progress being made in these non-gut applications.”

She highlights that in the ISAPP’s definition, “conferring a measured benefit to health” is required before calling a product a probiotic.

It is thus recommended for consumers to look for the strains of bacteria listed on the labels of products and seek reliable scientific evidence documenting the efficacy of the strains.

Microbiomes and probiotics are a rising phenomenon in skincare. Last October, PersonalCareInsights spoke to the CEO LAC2βiome about microbial skincare trends and white-label probiotics.

Edited by Olivia Nelson

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