How To Treat Acne With Probiotics

Modern research connects the health of your gut to the health of your skin. As such, many people have begun to take probiotics as a way to keep their digestion strong and their skin glowing. Of course, acne struggles are often individual, meaning that effective treatments can vary from person to person. But, if you're looking for an easy supplement to take, a high-quality probiotic can fortify your gut flora and may have benefits for your skin as well.

According to Byrdie, probiotics combat inflammation all over the body. These gut-healthy bacteria can either deploy their antioxidant capabilities topically or internally after being ingested. Joshua Zeichner, MD, classifies probiotics as "ingredients that promote the growth of healthy bacteria in our bodies. True probiotics are live organisms that may be found in fermented foods like yogurt or high-quality supplements. When taken by mouth, they can help normalize your gut bacteria, improve the microbiome of your digestive tract, and subsequently reduce inflammation throughout the body, including the skin."

But, how does your gut health impact the rest of your body — namely your face? Essentially, what you metabolize in your stomach makes its way to your bloodstream — meaning that, if you have an imbalance of bacteria within your gut, it can impact your intestinal lining. With a more permeable barrier standing between your bloodstream and your stomach, these toxins can easily leak through and inflame areas of the body, the outlet explains.

By fortifying your stomach's lining and balancing out the bacteria in the gut, probiotics can help combat inflammation on your face. Byrdie notes that acne stems from inflamed patches of skin — thus, a healthy bacterial ratio can reduce these instances as well. Additionally, the outlet notes, taking these supplements protects your cells from environmental irritants, reduces the number of acne-causing bacteria on the skin, and keeps it moisturized as well.

However, it's important to find a probiotic that's right for you. Healthline explains that a topical probiotic cream or cleanser can help balance the bacteria on the surface of your skin. A good place to start, Dr. Julia Oh explains, is with a "topical probiotic [that] is either immunomodulatory or if it suppresses the 'bad' skin microbes."

But, taking your healthy bacteria internally can make way for better absorption and overall health improvements. Dr. Whitney Bowe adds, "All of this research is in the early stages, but there is mounting evidence to suggest that oral probiotics and dietary modifications will absolutely play a major role in the future of acne therapy. I believe it will ultimately be a combination approach that is most successful."

Do your research on which probiotic will work best for you and notice the results for yourself!