Recent research has begun to conclude that probiotics applied to the skin may benefit the skin's natural defences and replenish the good bacteria, repair the skin, and aid in combating acne, rosacea and sun damage. With all of this good news, the skincare industry has been quick on its feet to develop formulations to keep your natural defences at an all-time high, but not stopped to explain the ins and outs as well as we can.
In this article, we will give you some top tips on how to choose the best probiotic skincare in the UK, what to look out for when browsing the many brands such as Aurelia, Zelens and Elizabeth Arden, which probiotic ingredients are commonly found, and most importantly, the retailers that stock them: Amazon, John Lewis and ASOS.
Quick List - Top Probiotic Skincare Products
Biossance
The Squalane-Plenty Ultra Lightweight Probiotic Moisturiser
Medik8
A 97% Oil Free Balancing Moisturiser with Gylcolic Acid Activator Boost!
Holika Holika
Niacinamide and Meadowfoam: A Super Moisturising Emulsion That Calms Your Skin
Gallinée
A Probiotic Anti-ageing Serum to Restore Your Natural Glow Formulated With Lactic Acid
Felipe Partarrieu is a dermatologist, who is GMC registered with a full licence to practise in the UK. Specialising in cosmeceuticals, facial skin care, and hair disorders, we worked with Felipe to bring you top quality information to help you make informed buying decisions and understand more about what goes onto your skin.
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
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Table of Contents
Felipe Partarrieu is a final year dermatology resident, who is GMC registered with a full licence to practise in the UK. Specialising in cosmeceuticals, facial skin care, and hair disorders, we worked with Felipe to bring you top quality information to help you make informed buying decisions and understand more about what goes onto your skin.
Probiotic Skincare is often categorised as advanced skincare, so most brands assume you already understand a lot about your skin. If you are new to skincare in general, it may be worth finding out more about your skin (such as how oily or dry your skin is) before diving into some of these wonderful products! Though, this is a perfect place to start.
Probiotic skincare makes use of a range of probiotics, but the main and most included types are: Bifidabacterium, Lactobacillus and Vitreoscilla. Any probiotic that is in skincare works to benefit the skin's microbiome, but it is always best to find a good blend of other ingredients to accompany the probiotic ingredients.
Probiotics are defined as 'live microorganisms that when administered in adequate amounts, confer some benefit to the health of the host.'
When applied topically, they restore and maintain the skin microbiota, improving the skin barrier and the appearance of the skin in general. They manage to do so by improving the skin's natural defences promoting the production of antimicrobial peptides and by competing with pathogens for nutrients and adhesion in the skin.
Studies suggest that applying probiotic skincare products may reduce acne outbreaks and manage dry skin and eczema, and several small but promising studies also suggest that probiotics can help battle skin ageing and even skin cancer.
So, your interest is piqued! That's wonderful. Let's get straight on with the buying guide, where we explain all you need to know about what to look out for when looking to buy probiotic skincare, and some of the vital ingredients to ensure that the products you buy will leave your skin replenished and ready to deal with the harsh elements of the world.
To support this change, prebiotics derived from plant sugars, fruits, vegetables, and whole grain, are usually added to act as a food source for the probiotics. Ideally, it is best to make sure that the skincare you buy contains a blend of both. Opting for skincare which uses a great accompaniment of prebiotics is paramount to effective probiotic skincare.
It is best to find products that make use of products that contain: oligosaccharide, fructooligosaccharides or glucooligosaccharides. These are found in the extracts of fruits, vegetables and whole grains and so on, however may not always be stated as plainly. Finding brands that are open and informative will help you to make informed decisions in regard to what goes on your skin, as well as the benefits it will bring.
Prebiotics are defined as nutrients and molecules that allow the development and growth of probiotics. Applying prebiotics to skin formulations helps probiotics thrive so they can keep the surface of the skin balanced, younger-looking, and strong.
Ingredients you should be looking for on the label if you want to include prebiotics are xylitol, rhamnose, fructooligosaccharides and glucomannan.
Like most skincare, probiotic skincare can be catered to target specific areas where people may suffer from acne, or more overall protection for those looking to simply provide additional support to their body's natural defenses.
Depending on what you want to achieve from using probiotic skincare, there are two main paths that you can venture down.
Many people opt to use a variety of products to deal with their skin as the needs of our skin can vary greatly from each area. As a result, if you are looking to target a specific issue, using probiotics could be a fantastic way to reduce redness, irritation, acne, rosacea or dryness and help rebalance the skin's microbiome.
Look for specific products such as eye creams, or concentrated formulas to provide additional support to specific areas.
Proven probiotic skincare ingredients include the species Lactobacillus, Bifidabacterium, Vitreoscilla, and various ferments. Lysate ingredients are also beneficial to probiotic skincare. As derivatives of probiotics, lysates work in tandem to help reinforce the skin’s microbiome and diminish skin issues.
Probiotic skincare can target a whole range of issues, and many can be blended together to provide a range of benefits to the skin. With this in mind, opting for a moisturiser, facial mist or night serum may provide the best results.
An additional tip to consider is that probiotics are there to help your skin maintain it's health, thus, even if your skin is well maintained, it is never a bad time to add some probiotics as additional support. Probiotics applied topically have not been found to have any notable side effects, but as this topic of research is still new, it is always better to be cautious with any products that you apply directly to your skin.
Several studies have shown that the skin microbiome plays an active role in the maintenance of a healthy skin function, and the origin of many diseases origin can be traced back to dysbiosis (alteration of the normal microbial composition of the individual).
An unbalanced microbiota can lead to the activation of the immune system and compromise the protective function of the skin barrier, resulting in chronic inflammation. The use of topical probiotics improves this barrier and increases in secondary production of antimicrobial peptides. Clinical trials in this field are still scarce, but there are already some favourable results.
Some common fragrances in skincare that are good to watch out for if you are fragrance-free or have sensitive skin are: limonene, lavandula angustifolia oil and citronellol. Skincare products rarely ever smell of nothing, but there is a large difference between the natural smell of a formulated product and the addition of fragrance whether they have been derived artificially, naturally or via essential oils.
Contrastingly, a variety of additional ingredients that, when added to skincare, can provide wonderful benefits. Squalane, glycerin and niacinamide are all ingredients that are great to look out for with skincare. Niacinamide is currently being researched in regard to its role in combating acne prone skin.
When it comes to skincare products, it might seem that the list of ingredients to avoid is growing longer each day, but some ingredients are necessary for a formulation to be stable and can actual offers benefits.
Also, every person is different: what may cause sensitivity for you might work for somebody else. People with sensitive skin should avoid artificial fragrances or 'parfum', Methylisothiazolinone (a preservative), formaldehyde, and phthalates.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer | ![]() | The Squalane-Plenty Ultra Lightweight Probiotic Moisturiser | |
2 | Medik8 Balance Moisturiser With Glycolic Acid Activator | ![]() | A 97% Oil Free Balancing Moisturiser with Gylcolic Acid Activator Boost! | |
3 | Holika Holika Mechnikov's Probiotics Formula Balancing Emulsion | ![]() | Niacinamide and Meadowfoam: A Super Moisturising Emulsion That Calms Your Skin | |
4 | Gallinée Youthful Serum | ![]() | A Probiotic Anti-ageing Serum to Restore Your Natural Glow Formulated With Lactic Acid | |
5 | Zelens Microbiota P3 Balancing Mist | ![]() | A Silky Mist to Refresh and Replenish Your Skin | |
6 | Beauty Kitchen Seahorse Plankton+ Bright Eyes Probiotic Serum | ![]() | A Refreshing Eye Brightener Fused With Microalgae | |
7 | PSA Skin GOALS Multi Acids & Probiotics Perfecting Night Serum | ![]() | An Inclusive, Cruelty Free Probiotic Night Serum | |
8 | Aurelia The Probiotic Concentrate | ![]() | A Concentrated Booster to Enter Any Skincare Regime! | |
9 | Elizabeth Arden Superstart Probiotic Cleanser with Whip to Clay Texture | ![]() | A Radiating Clay Based Cleanser to Support your Skin | |
10 | Gatineau Melatogenine AOX Probiotics Essential Eye Corrector | ![]() | A Luxurious Probiotic Eye Corrector With Wheat Seed Extract |
Great for redness-prone skin and rosacea, this wonderfully hydrating moisturiser fused with vegan squalane and probiotics helps perfect the skin's complexion and restore its natural radiance.
Effortlessly keep your skin looking its best while decreasing the chances of the elements damaging your skin's natural microbiomes and maintaining a healthy equilibrium. What's more, moisturisers fit into anyone's skin routine, so it is the perfect way to begin or further develop your probiotic skincare journey. This is probiotic skincare at its finest.
Using a carefully curated blend of prebiotics and probiotics, let Medik8's moisturiser rebalance the skin's microbiome and restore your radiant complexion. Niacinamide and beta-glucan are also included to help calm the skin and reduce breakouts.
When your skin craves a deeper clean, exfoliate the upper layers of your skin with the included Glycolic Acid Activator before moisturising to help aid the rate of absorption and clarify the complexion.
Korean skincare is some of most revered in the skincare industry, so this had to make the list! Packed with 4 main probiotics, which they call a quattrobiome, this emulsion aims to brighten and even out the skin tone with some additional anti-aging properties!
Keep control of your skin's water and oil levels with this outstanding formula and protected from the harsh elements with this all round fantastic emulsion. Above all, emulsions are perfect for those looking for a fast absorption rate as they are much lighter than standard moisturisers.
This Youthful Serum is the ultimate way to keep your skin from ageing against the harsh elements of the outside world and remain youthful, nourished and supported. This serum is highly concentrated to help restore your skin's natural glow and can be used alone or with other products in your skincare regime.
Gallinée's wonderful website helps you to understand the beauty behind the products the formulate. With easy to understand explanations and an interactive ingredient list, you can rest assured that this anti-ageing serum has been carefully designed to keep your skin healthy and replenished.
Packed with prebiotics and probiotics, this facial mist is a must have. For the mismatch weather and irritating pollutants found in the UK, this mist actively aims to protect your skin's natural barriers from harm and keep you hydrated.
This facial spray's powerful formula restores the microflora while promoting the natural recovery processes of the skin. A complete necessity for anyone who travels or works in harsh conditions!
UK owned & designed with sustainability in mind, this powerfully refreshing eye brightener is here to keep you protected from the elements while boosting the natural collagen around the eyes.
Alongside the probiotics, this small bottle is packed with caffeine, microalgae and seaweed, too, packing the most delicate of punches to your eye region.
100% cruelty free, vegan and owned by an LGBTQIA+ community. This probiotic night serum makes sure that you go to bed with your skin nourished and protected after a day of combating the elements.
A probiotic night serum is a perfect way to add probiotics into your skincare routine, as the ingredients can work on restoring your skin while away from the elements. Purposeful Skincare by Allies, abbreviated as PSA Skin treats skincare like it always should have been, made for everyone and all skin types.
An excellent concentrated formula to heal and provide superior support to your skin's natural defences. This can be added into your favourite serum, moisturiser or facial oil and be applied morning or evening.
The best part about this product is that you can carry on using your current skincare and simply enhance it on days when your skin feels tired and craves that additional support. This is a perfect way to ensure your skin is protected from the elements.
A whipped clay based cleanser including lactococcus ferment lysate to help clear up your skin while providing additional support to your body's natural defenses, including microflora. A perfect way to start any morning or end a day of hard work; let the probiotics greet your skin at its most natural.
One downside of this product is that cleansers are quickly used and then wiped away. Compared to other types of skincare products such as moisturisers or mists the effectiveness of the probiotics may be limited.
Make sure you keep the most delicate part of your face safe and revitalised with this Gatineau eye corrector. It is a great way to combat signs of ageing or simply to be used as a supplementary boost to brighten any dark circles! This eye corrector features a range of prebiotics such as oligasaccaride to further enhance the effectiveness of the formula.
While a little goes a long way, this product is quite expensive and the jar packaging is also a point of concern considering it has been formulated for the most delicate area of your skin.
The research into probiotic skincare is limited and the effects are yet to be well documented. Because of this, it is important to remember that skincare is an extremely delicate and personal journey - probiotic skincare is not the answer to everyone's individual skincare problems, but more of an additional protection for your skin's natural barriers.
Every single person will have different experiences with different skincare, so it is important to consult your dermatologist if you are unsure what is best for your needs.
Finally, the inside of your body matters just as much, so make sure you're treating the inside of your body just as much as the outside by maintaining a healthy diet and staying hydrated!
Skincare is a never ending process of personal discovery. If you're feeling inspired and want to learn more about skincare, try some more of our articles!
Wow! That was a lot of information, so I am sure you may want to spend a while considering what types of probiotics you would like to try. That's great! Hopefully we have helped in letting you make informed decisions and have added one, or two... or ten? to your basket!
With the environment ever changing and many invisible pollutants, there has never been a better time to add probiotics to your skincare regime.
Author: Josh Welch
No. 1: Biossance|Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer
No. 2: Medik8|Balance Moisturiser With Glycolic Acid Activator
No. 3: Holika Holika|Mechnikov's Probiotics Formula Balancing Emulsion
No. 4: Gallinée|Youthful Serum
No. 5: Zelens|Microbiota P3 Balancing Mist
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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