The Probiotic, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Improves Skin of Adults with Acne

The Probiotic, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Improves Skin of Adults with Acne

For many years dermatologists and scientists have known an imbalance in skin bacteria leads to acne. Researchers are now discussing the gut/skin axis. A preponderance of bacteria living in the intestines related to inflammation contributes to acne, although through arcane pathways, whereas consuming Probiotic strains that reduce inflammation improve the look of the skin in adults with acne.

In the study, a five-point scale rated the improvement in skin appearance of 20 adults with acne. In the placebo controlled, randomized, double blinded study, half ofthe subjects took 3 billion CFU (colony forming units) of Lactobacillus daily for 12 weeks or took identical looking placebo. According to the five-point scale, the look of the skin improved by 32% within this time, with no improvement in the placebo group.

Inflammatory bacteria damages the lining of the gut allowing toxins to enter circulation. This affects genes that regulate growth factors and insulin signaling in the skin contributing to acne. According to the Italian researchers, the probiotic reversed damage to the lining of the intestinal wall, blocking absorption of toxins, reducing inflammation, and impacting insulin type growth factor 1 and the FOXO1 gene expression in the skin by 65%, which reduced the appearance of acne. The study is published in the journal Beneficial Microbes.