Probiotic Skin Care – Is It A Hype?

We know that probiotics are beneficial bacteria that are healthy for the intestine, but can probiotics also benefit skin? Is the new Clinique product, Clinique Redness Solutions Makeup SPF15 with Probiotic Technology, a hype?

On Journal of Dermatological Science, I saw an invited article Pre- and probiotics for human skin by Jean Krutmann, a professor of Dermatology and Environmental Medicine in Germany. This article explains that skin bacteria, skin barrier function and the skin immune system are closely linked and may form a complex network that controls a variety of skin functions. So it is tempting to speculate that probiotics may improve skin barriers and functions by affecting skin bacteria colonies. Unfortunately, this is a speculation only, which means that it might be a new exciting technology but we do not know whether it will work or not. Clinique (a brand of Estee Lauder Companies) may have done tests regarding probiotics in cosmetics. But companies do not publish new research results before they get patents.

At this point, the best is to wait. If you do want to give it a try, I suggest that you stay with brands under Estee Lauder Companies because such companies do serious research on new technologies.

By the way, I tried Clinique Redness Solutions Makeup SPF15 with Probiotic Technology. As a foundation, it is a winner, with right amounts of sunscreens and a base formula that creates smooth application and natural finish. Finally a makeup that is safe for sensitive skin. Probably its only con is limited shade selections.

Clinique Redness Solutions Makeup SPF15 Ingredients
Active ingredients: octinoxate 5.90%, zinc oxide 3.70%, titanium dioxide 2.90%. Other ingredients: water\aqua\eau, methyl trimethicone, phenyl trimethicone, dimethicone, triethylhexanoin, butylene glycol, trimethylsiloxysilicate, peg-10 dimethicone, lauryl peg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, c12-15 alkyl benzoate, lactobacillus ferment, citrus grandis (grapefruit) peel extract, magnolia grandiflora bark extract, poria cocos sclerotium extract, astrocaryum murumuru seed butter, glycerin, caffeine, sodium myristoyl sarcosinate, caprylyl methicone, methicone, polyglyceryl-6 polyricinoleate, disteardimonium hectorite, isopropyl titanium triisostearate, dimethicone crosspolymer-3, lecithin, tocopheryl acetate, laureth-7, dimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer, sodium chloride, dipropylene glycol, disodium edta, aluminum hydroxide, polyaminopropyl biguanide, phenoxyethanol, May contain: mica, titanium dioxide (ci 77891), iron oxides (ci 77491, ci 77492, ci 77499).

5 Responses to “Probiotic Skin Care – Is It A Hype?”

  1. Chelsea says:

    You are right. Take it as a regular foundation then 🙂

  2. Chelsea says:

    Thank you, Michael. Your comment is very enlightening. I neglected the fact that probiotics could hardly survive in a cosmetic environment.

  3. Michael says:

    All cosmetic products must be shown to be safe from potential contamination from harmful microbes (biotics). They must pass an “antimicrobial effectiveness test” where various harmful bacteria, yeasts and molds are added to product. At various times up to 30 d the number of microbs is counted and must be below a certin threshhold. If this is the case, how does a “pro-biotic” added to a cosmetic product stay alive and viable for up to 2 years during its shelf-life? Good quality food grade pro-biotics are usually shipped and stored in the fridge and are in single use packets to keep them viable. You can’t even add them to hot drinks when taking them. There is also no research to show what biotics are actually good for the skin, so could be considered to be a pro-biotic for the skin. These are two good reasons that indicate these products have only one function – to lighten your wallets.

  4. […] SPF15 with Probiotic Technology has 5.9% octinoxate, 3.7% zinc oxide and 2.9% titanium dioxide. The probiotic technology is a promising new technology in skin care but its efficacy is not demonstrated. Nevertheless, it […]

  5. Larry says:

    I think we can use it. Just don’t pay a lot for a product because of probiotics.

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