Prof. Dr. Sonya Marina,
MD, Dermatology and Venerology
UMBAL "Alexandrovska", UMBAL "St. Ivan Rilski"
Prof. Marina on their application in acne, dermatitis, and sensitive skin:
“I anticipate that over the next few years, mild-to-moderate forms of acne, dermatitis, and rosacea will no longer be treated primarily with antibiotics, but with probiotics.”
Probiotics have long been offered as health foods, promoted for their properties to balance the intestinal flora. Most scientists define them as "live microbial dietary supplements that have a beneficial and positive effect on humans, improving and restoring internal microbial balance".
Probiotics are taken to maintain intestinal balance, but they can also exhibit microbiome-balancing properties when applied topically. In the most modern developments of skin care products, a central place is occupied by new strains of bacteria that act from the inside out. They are already contained in a wide variety of beauty products – from cleansing waters and serums, masks to creams for problem and sensitive skin, relying on good bacteria that soothe inflammation, strengthen the protective barrier of the skin and even reduce the manifestations of acne.
Sounds intriguing, right? Is it worth including probiotics in your ever-expanding skin regimen? In fact, there are many recent studies suggesting that there are. Here is everything you need to know according to Professor Marina – dermatologist, Head of the Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases at the Medical Institute of the Ministry of Interior.
What exactly are probiotics?
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts with key benefits for human health. They have the ability to block pathogens and balance bacteria in the gut to cope with bloating, stomach cramps, and other problems. As "live microorganisms" they have a prophylactic and therapeutic effect, improving the internal microbial balance. Probiotic lactobacilli play an important role in the balanced nutrition of humans and have beneficial effects on a number of diseases of the stomach and intestines, cardiovascular diseases, and also have anti-tumor, radioprotective, antihyperlipidemic, antiallergic and immunomodulatory effects. Neither contraindications for their use nor side and toxic effects have been established.
How do probiotics work in skin care?
Lactobacillus and Bifidus probiotic ferments are known for their soothing effect on the skin by supporting the growth of beneficial bacteria and creating a favorable environment for cells. Applied topically, they regulate the natural bacterial balance, support cellular communication, and stimulate the body's immune response.
The skin's natural microflora plays a very important protective role and needs to be maintained vital and balanced. In our modern lifestyle, this ecosystem is often damaged and can lead to dryness, stress, inflammation, and sensitive skin.
The solution? Supporting our microbiome with a topical dose of probiotics to help our ecosystem stay balanced and healthy.
Atopic and seborrheic dermatitis
Probiotics have the "smart" ability to restore and strengthen the skin barrier, which is significantly compromised in atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, and sensitive skin. It takes a certain amount of time for sensitive skin to recover after damage. The inclusion of oral probiotics and in the skin care regimen helps speed up the process, making the skin less reactive and building resilience and natural immunity against Staphylococci bacteria.
Snowborn's probiotic therapy with Back to balance micellar water and Restore to defence protective cream fully satisfies the needs of sensitive skin with manifestations of dermatitis. They are natural, without aggressive synthetic ingredients and with light textures. They quickly soothe, limit redness and over time build a destroyed protective lipid layer.
To inhibit pathogenic bacteria responsible for the manifestation of atopic, perioral, and seborrheic dermatitis, I recommend Atopy probiotic. It is clinically tested in children and adults, and after 2 months of intake significantly reduces the Atopic Dermatitis Index, while inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis.
Polluted environment / detox.
Free radicals, such as pollution, have the ability to accelerate aging. Applied topically, probiotics increase the skin's natural defense against them.
By activating the skin's natural defense system and restoring balance, probiotics help in the daily fight against environmental impact.
Simply put, a dose of topical probiotics regulates the immune response that pollution and stress cause and prevents damage to collagen, elastin, and healthy cells. Think of them as a shield against the aforementioned environmental aggressors and everything else we apply daily to our skin.
Evidence for the link between the gut and skin microbiome
In addition, there is evidence of a link between the gut and skin microbiome. For example, the intake of probiotic strains (live microorganisms, "beneficial", "good") characteristic of the gastrointestinal tract prevents or influences the development of some of the chronic skin diseases mentioned above.
Probiotics are "beneficial" bacteria that have a beneficial effect on many functions of the body because they restore the bacterial balance of the microbiome, participate in immune defense, improve the natural functions of the skin as an anti-pathogen defense, increase collagen production and UV protection, etc.
In medium-severe forms of acne, prolonged tetracycline antibiotics are used, which often results in resistance ofP. acnes and increasingly lower efficacy.
More and more studies prove that probiotics successfully replace antibiotics by inhibiting pathogenic bacteria P. acnes and S. aureus, which are at the root of most skin problems, incl. acne.
The benefits of probiotics are for both gastrointestinal and skin health, as well as for mental health.
A diet high in sugar and fat, and low in fiber, has a proven link to the risk of acne, due to depressed levels of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. They are "beneficial bacteria that create an environment with normal acidity, inhibit the growth of pathogenic microorganisms and participate in the body's immune response.
New therapeutic strategies aimed at normalizing the microbiome for healthy skin
The latest therapeutic strategies focus on microbiome normalization. Medications, topical treatments, and cosmetic products capable of influencing it are actively being developed.
Next-generation cosmetics increasingly incorporate probiotics or postbiotics (the metabolic products of living microorganisms) into their formulas to stimulate the production of "good" bacteria while limiting "bad" ones. The probiotics in skincare products are inactivated, eliminating the risk of bacterial contamination, while retaining the ability to improve the skin's natural defense, reduce irritation, and strengthen the hydrolipid film.
Snowborn Skin + Dermal Probiotic is a holistic probiotic therapy. It restores the bacterial balance of the skin and gut, offering a comprehensive approach to acne, atopic dermatitis, Demodex folliculorum, and rosacea. It features a natural sulfate-free cleansing gel and micellar water, along with lightweight probiotic fluids, a hydrating cream, a lipid cream, and the innovative oral probiotic – Dermal Probiotic. The latter inhibits the growth of Propionibacterium acnes. It is additionally enriched with natural anti-pathogenic ingredients that control the development of pathogenic microorganisms on the skin, restore normal pH, and rebuild the lipid barrier.
Probiotic skincare for acne
Studies show that products containing the aforementioned lactobacilli are effective in treating acne. We believe they will change how we manage this skin condition in the future.
I anticipate that over the next few years, mild-to-moderate acne will no longer be treated with antibiotics, but rather with probiotics. It makes so much sense to nourish the beneficial bacteria and suppress the growth of harmful pathogenic bacteria to prevent inflammatory lesions. Probiotic skincare is a promising approach for treating acne-prone skin. I believe the key to managing acne-prone skin is gentle, mild, and natural probiotic treatment that preserves the skin's natural oils while stimulating its natural functions, such as hydration and immune defense.
The entire Snowborn product line is designed to restore skin health and its natural defense against external aggressors and inflammation. They are clinically tested with proven efficacy. Each therapy is tailored to the skin's needs based on the specific skin condition and age, making it highly effective and results-driven.
Prof. Dr. Sonya Marina,
MD, Dermatology and Venerology
UMBAL "Alexandrovska", UMBAL "St. Ivan Rilski"
