There’s a lot of hype about using probiotics to improve your skin and help treat skin conditions, but the evidence isn’t quite there yet. Our review of 500+ studies showed some promising ideas, but also major gaps, especially outside atopic dermatitis. We need stronger science so people can make real, informed choices.
Professor Wendy Hall, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, King’s College London.
05 December 2025
New study reviews research linking probiotic and prebiotic supplements and skin health
Researchers from King’s College London and Yakult Science for Health have conducted a comprehensive review of existing research exploring how probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic supplements may influence skin health and disease.
The review mapped 516 studies from around the world examining the relationship between these supplements and various aspects of skin health, from general skin condition to the management of diseases such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and acne.
Our diet can influence skin health through its impact on the gut microbiome — the community of microorganisms living in our digestive tract. The concept of a gut–skin axis was first proposed nearly a century ago but has gained renewed attention in recent years, as growing evidence suggests that changes in gut microbes can affect skin condition and ageing. Probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics are thought to promote skin health by modifying the gut microbiome, which may in turn improve skin function and resilience.
Following a systematic search, the research team identified 516 studies in this area. Just over half of the studies were human trials or observational studies, around 30% involved animal models, and the remainder were reviews summarising trial findings.
Among skin diseases, atopic dermatitis was the most extensively studied condition, featuring in 330 papers, followed by psoriasis with 24 studies and acne with 23 studies. Research into skin health and ageing in otherwise healthy populations is also expanding– 54 studies were found examining links between supplementation and factors such as wrinkling, elasticity and UV response, and 29 studies exploring effects on skin hydration.
The review found that infants were the most frequently studied human group, representing 42 per cent of human studies, where supplementation was typically aimed at preventing or managing atopic dermatitis. In contrast, older adults aged over 60 were included in only 15 per cent of human studies, indicating a gap in research for this age group, particularly in relation to skin conditions such as pressure ulcers.
The majority of studies focused on probiotics, which accounted for around 80 per cent of the total research, while evidence relating to prebiotics and synbiotics remains relatively limited.
The authors identified several important gaps in the current body of research. These include the need for an umbrella review to consolidate findings on atopic dermatitis, updated systematic reviews on acne and psoriasis to reflect recent trial data, and a review of skin ageing to summarise the latest human evidence. The review also revealed a need for more human trials investigating the potential benefits of probiotic and prebiotic supplements in skin conditions such as skin cancer, rosacea, alopecia, melasma and dandruff.
We are delighted to have collaborated with King’s College London on this important gut-skin axis publication. Yakult – the gut experts since 1935, has always had science at the heart of what we do. We take immense pride in this partnership which reflects our shared commitment to advancing the field of gut microbiome research. Collaborations such as this with King’s College London highlight our continuous investment in research and our passion for working with world-leading academic institutions to contribute to the growing body of evidence that helps us better understand the role of the gut microbiome in human health.
Dr Holly Neill, Science Manager at Yakult Science for Health .
The review also highlighted a number of methodological improvements for future research. These include accounting for participants’ habitual diets, which can influence both the gut microbiome and skin health; improving the reporting of probiotic strains and doses to allow for better comparisons across studies and more informed clinical decisions; and ensuring greater diversity in study populations, as 85 per cent of existing human studies were conducted in Europe or Asia.
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Professor of Nutritional Sciences
Visiting Lecturer