What Are Probiotics?

Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide added health benefits when consumed or applied topically to the surface of the skin. Internally they work to restore and replenish the gut microbiome. Living probiotic organisms can be found naturally in certain types of food and drink such as;

• sauerkraut
• kombucha
• miso
• kefir
• yoghurt
• tempeh
• kimchi 

Fermented food and drinks are not always easy to source, they can be prohibitively expensive and do require refrigeration, which does not always make them convenient to consume. Making recipes such as this Sauerkraut and Apple Shred at home is wonderfully beneficial and inexpensive, but time consuming. This is where a good quality probiotic supplement can offer incredible, easy health benefits when taken as a daily supplement. 

Why Probiotics Are Essential For Our Skin

When it comes to treating skin conditions, the importance of probiotics can not be underestimated. The vast increase in the use of probiotics and prebiotics within the medical community in recent years has solidified their excellent safety profile. According to this paper from 2014, as immune modulators, probiotics are recommended for use in inflammatory skin conditions, such as psoriasis, acne and atopic dermatitis.

Let's first look at the connection between our gut and skin. The 'gut' refers to our digestive tract. Everything inside the body from our mouth, down to our bottom! Our gut contains a complex variety of microbiota. This flora can be positively or negatively impacted by a number of factors, most notably including;

• Diet
• Sleep patterns
• Lifestyle
• Exercise
• Alcohol intake
• Stress levels
• Use of antibiotics
• Hormones

This delicate and important balance can begin impacting our skin from birth, with a lack of microbiome diversity during the early stages of life impacting maturation of innate and adaptive immunity, leading to chronic inflammation. Research has shown that young children with atopic dermatitis for example, often have low quantities of the microbiome strains bifidobacterium and bacteroides. (see studies here and here) 

Some of the factors listed above can also form a two-way street. For example this study highlights how a lack of sleep can deplete the gut of a healthy diversity of beneficial bacteria, whilst the reduction in beneficial bacteria may, in turn, create a poor sleep cycle. 

It seems our gut microbiome is proven to play an important role in a wide variety of skin disorders. Research from 2021 surprisingly highlights that many skin diseases are accompanied by an altered gut microbiome. This intimate relationship between these organs is commonly referred to as the “skin-gut axis”.

So how does this present in day-to-day life? Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders in the gut can be accompanied by manifestations on the surface of the skin, and the gut microbiome appears to play a key role in the development of many inflammatory skin disorders. Reddened skin, itching, soreness, flaking, dryness, painful bumps and signs of topical inflammation can often be attributed to something deeper occurring beneath the surface. Think of the skin as a symptom of a more significant, internal gut issue. 

If our skin is flaring and we understand that a gut imbalance might be to blame, what can we do to make corrections? If we struggle with a good balance of beneficial bacteria due to our diet lacking the correct nutrients, our exercise regime not being quite as on-point as we'd like, or our sleep cycle suffering .. how can we turn things around? Taking a daily probiotic supplement such as this one can make all the difference in making a concerted effort to help begin replenishing that lost beneficial bacteria. 

Probiotics Which Do More Harm Than Good

So, we're agreed that taking a daily probiotic is important for our skin. With so many options on the market in anything from yoghurt to chocolate .. what's the best option?

The most well-known probiotic foods are probably those little yoghurt shots you might have seen advertised. Brands such as Yakult, Probio 7, Bio-Kult, Activia have been around in the UK since the mid nineties. You may have seen TV commercials for these dairy drinks that purport to offer added health benefits, but can a sweet little sugary shot truly improve our gut health? In my opinion, the short, sweet answer would be a resounding; no. Aside from anything else, the simple facts are that the bad stuff they contain far outweighs, or even supersedes any benefits you'll get from a highly processed, single bacteria strain. 

The claims from these brands are that their drinks offer several wellbeing benefits, including; improved digestive health, a boost to the immune system, and reduction in the risk of infections. Whilst it's true that there are studies proving these health benefits in probiotic strains, I would question whether the very little they contain could ever have a serious, tangible benefit. Moreover, these yoghurts are often a significant source of added sugars, with one serving (65 ml) containing about 11 grams of sugar. Consuming too much added sugar can contribute to weight gain, tooth decay and other wellness problems, far outweighing any benefits you'll experience from a single biotic strain.

In addition to sugar, probiotic drinks commonly contain a source of dairy. Studies highlight dairy as one of the top ten trigger foods when it comes to eczema, and improvements may be experienced when eliminating dairy from our diet. Brands often contain 'Skim Milk Powder'. The heat treatment applied to full fat milk to convert it into this particular powder form, turns what was at least a nutrient dense food source (albeit a potentially problematic one for skin) into a depleted inflammatory disaster!

Why Our Probiotic Is Specifically Formulated For Your Skin

Our Multi Strain Probiotic has been specifically formulated for healthy skin. It's vegan, gluten free and does not contain artificial additives, preservatives or sweeteners.

Not only does it feature FIFTEEN bio live culture strains, we have added very specific vitamins and botanicals to support your natural skin healing journey. Whilst many of the leading brands on the market are equally vegan and gluten free, here is how our blend beats a market leading competitor hands-down.

As well as 15 strains of incredibly beneficial probiotic bacteria, our ingredients list of added vitamins and botanicals includes Aloe Vera. Renowned for its anti-inflammatory, skin protection, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, antiseptic, and wound healing properties, this is a great starting point when it comes to skin health.

We also include Oregon Grape which has been cited to produce great therapeutic success in the treatment of eczema. Historically it was also considered the most reliable, natural remedy for psoriasis (article). 

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a natural constituent of foods and is also used in both functional foods and supplements. This study highlights how the intake of CoQ10 can limit seasonal deterioration of viscoelasticity and reduce some visible signs of ageing. As you can see from the research, CoQ10 has been determined to significantly reduce wrinkles and micro-lines, whilst improving skin smoothness.

Two other anti-inflammatory spices we include warrant special mentions. Firstly, ginger has the most fantastic anti-inflammatory health benefits, as cited in this 2022 study. For centuries, turmeric has also been revered for its anti-inflammatory benefits and healing properties. The National Psoriasis Foundation states that you can use it as a supplement or by adding it to food. Growing evidence shows that the active component in turmeric - curcumin - may be used medically to treat a variety of dermatologic diseases, whilst a report in Phytotherapy Research recommends further research on its impact when it comes to skin conditions.

In Summary

If you're not already taking a daily probiotic and you're struggling with IBS, digestive health issues, psoriasis, acne, rosacea, eczema or any other gastrointestinal or skin complaint, a 15ml dose of our best-selling Multi Strain Biotic is a no brainer! Probiotic supplements can take a while to generate benefits whilst the gut microbiota replenishes, so we recommend taking our formula consistently for at least 3 months to monitor improvements. 

Furthermore, considering your daily dietary and lifestyle factors and how they might be impacting your overall gut health is really important. Taking small steps to improve what you eat, when you exercise and how well you sleep .. can add up to a major impact on your overall gut health and, in turn, your skin. 

If you'd like to reach out with a specific question about your skin or our probiotic, please reach out to Cat and the Customer Care team support@hannasillitoe.com