Skinesa: a probiotic with scientifically proven effects on skin health

In the recent years there has been a growing interest, from both the medical community and the patients, in the effects of probiotics on the course of seborrheic dermatitis (SD). In a previous post we have discussed the effects of Vitreoscilla filiformis probiotic applied to the skin. A double-blind study^​1​ involving 60 patients with SD showed a reduction of itching, erythema and scaling. In two other posts (this and this) we discussed how clinical studies involving the oral administration of respectively ST11^​2​ and E. coli Nissle^​3​ probiotics demonstrated a significant reduction in SD symptoms. These examples confirm the benefits of using various strains of probiotics when treating SD.

Today, we’ll look at two new clinical studies that show clear benefits of a particular combination of probiotics for eczema (atopic dermatitis) and psoriasis. We will also discuss the potential effect of these probiotics for SD.

Clinical study on eczema (atopic dermatitis)

In a study^​4​ published in 2018 all patients received treatment during a 12-week period. Participants in the probiotic group received daily a pill containing 10⁹ colony-forming units (CFUs) of a mixture of the 3 probiotic strains in a 1:1:1 ratio, freeze-dried powder with maltodextrin as a carrier, and participants in the placebo group received a pill containing only maltodextrin. The probiotic and placebo pills were matched for size, shape, and volume of contents.

The product was designed not as a single strain but as a bacteria mixture with lactobacilli and bifidobacteria because previous eczema clinical trials with probiotics have shown better results with mixed products. The mixture was composed of Bifidobacterium lactis CECT 8145, B longum CECT 7347, and Lactobacillus casei CECT 9104. The blend was selected on the basis of previous data: oxidative stress has been associated with eczema, and strain B lactis CECT 8145 has previously shown antioxidant properties in the Caenorhabditis elegans model. Strain B longum CECT 7347 has an anti-inflammatory profile, previously demonstrated in both preclinical and clinical studies, and it modulates the gut microbiota. Finally, strain L casei CECT 9104 has in vitro activity against certain gut pathogens.

The results of the study: 22 out of 23 (96%) patients in the probiotic group and 11 out of 24 (46%) in the placebo group improved in the SCORAD (Scoring Atopic Dermatitis, lower is better) index. The mean reduction and 95% confidence interval for the SCORAD index and its components (eczema extension, eczema intensity, and subjective symptoms) for different weeks are shown in the figure above. At the start of the study, there were no large differences between the two groups. As time passed from the start of the treatment, the differences between groups increased, with larger improvements in the probiotic group for total SCORAD, eczema intensity, and eczema spread. After 12 weeks of follow-up, the SCORAD index decreased by 83% in the probiotic group and only by 24% in the placebo group. This is a difference in effectiveness of 19.2 SCORAD points, or 59%, in favor of the probiotic.

Clinical study on psoriasis

In a study^​5​ published in 2019 all patients received treatment during a 12-week period. After being randomized into two groups, participants in the probiotic group received daily a hard gelatin capsule containing a mixture of 3 probiotic strains in a 1:1:1 ratio, freeze-dried powder with maltodextrin as a carrier and patients in the placebo group received a capsule containing only maltodextrin. The probiotic and placebo capsules were matched for size, shape, and volume of contents. The composition of this probiotic mixture was Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347, B. lactis CECT 8145 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus CECT 8361 with a total of 1×10⁹ colony-forming units (CFU) per capsule.

This mixture of probiotics was selected based on previous data: oxidative stress has been associated with psoriasis, and strain B. lactis CECT 8145 and L. rhamnosus CECT 8361 have previously shown antioxidant properties in the Caenorhabditis elegans model. Strain B. longum CECT 7347 has an anti-inflammatory profile and modulates the gut microbiota.

A total of 90 patients diagnosed with psoriasis were enrolled in the study and assigned to one of the two treatment groups (probiotic group and placebo group). At the start of the study there were no noticeable differences between the groups, but in the evaluation at week 12 (end of treatment), differences arose in 30 of 45 (66.7%) patients in the probiotic group and 18 of 43 (41.9%) in the placebo group, showing a reduction in PASI (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) up to 75% (p-value for the difference of proportions was 0.0317). The results of this study show a beneficial effect of this probiotic blend, in reducing the severity of psoriasis. Compared with the placebo group at the 12-week follow-up visit, the probiotic group also showed a higher proportion of patients classified as clear or almost clear in the PGA (Physician Global Assessment) index and a lower need for prescription of betamethasone steroids.

The figure above reports on the follow-up of patients for 6 months after the end of the treatment. It shows that patients previously treated with the probiotic mixture have a lower risk of relapse (9 relapses out of 45 patients) than those who previously received placebo (18 relapses of 43 patients). This better evolution, together with changes observed in the gut microbiota in patients previously receiving the probiotic blend, suggest a preventive role of probiotics (more time free of relapse), and not only a therapeutic benefit of coadjutant treatment.

Skinesa

Skinesa is dietary supplement created based on the encouraging results obtained in the two clinical studies dicussed above. It is the only skin-focused probiotic supplement containing two exclusive compositions that have both been clinically studied for skin health in rigorous double-blind, placebo-controlled conditions. The probiotic blends contained in Skinesa contain all the bacteria strains that were used in the Eczema and Psoriasis studies, as shown in the table below.

What about seborrheic dermatitis?

There are no clinical studies yet on the efficiency of probiotics blends similar to Skinesa for SD. However, since the underlying mechanisms of skin health are universal, there is a good chance that Skinesa is also able to treat the root cause of SD. As soon as such evidence is published in a study, we’ll definitely discuss it here on this site. In the meantime people with SD have been trying Skinesa with great results as demonstrated by this comment in the review section of the Skinesa website.

So my seborrheic dermatitis battle has mostly been on my scalp, the T zone on my face, the back of my neck, my naval and my lower back. I only got to use skinesa for a little over a month due to its cost and availability.
I started seeing results after 2 weeks. my face which was previously a bit scarred and flaky started looking like it did before. My navel and inner ear cleared up. It was nothing short of a miracle.
Only problem is when you stop taking it, those previous issues return. My wish is to make skinesa more affordable, offer more pills and make it more available.
Atleast now I have faith that seborrheic dermatitis really is controllable.

Steve W. on https://www.skinesa.com/products/skinesa-skin-probiotic