The Potential of Probiotics for Treating Skin Disorders: A Concise Review

Probiotics are defined as “live microorganisms that confer a health benefit on the host when administered adequately.” In recent years, the cosmetic industry has tried to develop many products classified as probiotics. They can exert their benefits at the skin level because of their favorite properties, and they could prevent and treat skin diseases and represent an emerging area for skin health. The antibacterial and immunomodulatory properties make them promising candidates to target skin disorders including acne, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis and aid wound healing. The scientific reports show that specific probiotic strains can modulate cutaneous microflora, skin immune system, lipid barrier, and skin health preservation. This review summarizes the most relevant evidence from scientific literature concerning potential topical applications of probiotics in dermatology. Altogether, the evidence reported here affords the possibility of designing new strategies based on a topical approach to prevent and treat cutaneous disorders.