The human body contains a large number and variety of microorganisms which, together with their genomes and interactions with the host or environment, make up what is known as the microbiome.
Several studies have shown that changes in the skin and gastrointestinal microbiome play a role in different skin diseases:
- At the cutaneous level, the presence of a great diversity of microorganisms has been demonstrated. The «good» bacteria of the skin act to prevent the development of diseases by preventing the colonisation of pathogenic bacteria (those that cause infectious diseases).
- The gut microbiome comprises a large number of bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa which are involved in functions at a systemic level: immune system function, protection against infection, polysaccharide digestion and vitamin synthesis.
Both the skin and gut microbiome are influenced by a variety of causes: temperature, pH, exercise, medications, infections, age, lifestyle, malnutrition, and physical and mental stress. These factors can lead to dysbiosis by disrupting the balance between the host and the microbiome, thus affecting the functions performed by these microorganisms.
Gut dysbiosis has not only been associated with pathologies of the digestive system, but also with other diseases, including common inflammatory skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis and acne.
Acne is a disorder of the pilosebaceous unit that typically affects adolescents with a frequency of up to 85%.
Treatment of acne focuses on its severity, and recommendations may be based on skin type, clinical classification, and the presence of pre-existing scars that possibly alter the gut microflora and cause systemic inflammation aggravating skin conditions.
Probiotic administration has been shown to have an impact not only on the gut, but also on the whole organism, especially the inflammatory and immune systems. Thus, modification of the intestinal microflora through the use of probiotics has a positive impact on the skin.
Probiotics are living microorganisms (yeasts or bacteria) that provide beneficial effects on the host. Lactic acid bacteria species and Bifidobacterium are among the best known probiotics. They interact with the body’s normal flora and provide a defensive barrier, modify the pH of the gut to encourage an increase in «good» bacteria, and improve host behaviour.
Numerous studies have suggested that probiotics play an effective role in directly preventing bacterial growth, controlling inflammation and decreasing the adverse effects associated with chronic antibiotic use.
Therefore, there is a link between probiotics and acne, and they offer good results as part of acne treatment.
