Yahoo Lifestyle The best probiotic skincare products
How is your skin flora doing? With more and more products making probiotic claims (launches targeting the skin’s microbiome saw a 68 per cent uplift between 2018 to 2023, according to Innova Market Insights), focus is increasingly turning to probiotic skincare for its promising effects on everything from inflammation to skin-barrier repair and hydration.
Research into beneficial probiotic strains such as lactobacillus, which attracts moisture to the skin, and vitreoscilla, shown to soothe sensitivity, indicates that “probiotic skincare has the potential to be transformative when used appropriately,” advises the aesthetic specialist Dr David Jack.
The future of probiotic skincare
Like our gut microbiomes, our skin flora is unique to us. “This is especially exciting as it means that there may be scope to develop highly targeted, personalised skincare solutions based on an individual's unique microbiome,” says Dr Jack. “Advances in biotechnology are also enabling us to use postbiotics [byproducts of probiotics that support skin health] and bacterial lysates [fermented probiotic derivatives], which can deliver many of the benefits of live probiotics but with greater stability and predictability,” he adds. “This is important, as live probiotics can be extremely difficult to preserve effectively, especially in commercial products, which are required to be stable for at least three months on a shelf.”
How to choose probiotic skincare
Dr Jack stresses that lasting power isn’t the only factor to note when it comes to probiotic skincare, either. “Probiotic skincare isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution because not all probiotic strains are beneficial in every context; what works well for one skin type or condition may exacerbate another.” Partly for this reason, it’s important to look for skincare with a combination of prebiotics [sugar-based molecules that ‘feed’ beneficial probiotic bacteria] and postbiotics, as well as probiotics to keep the skin microbiome healthy and in equilibrium, addressing a multitude of skin concerns in the process.
“Formulations that combine probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics mean we’re no longer reliant on oral probiotic supplements alone (which can be helpful improving inflammatory conditions like acne or eczema from within),” confirms Dr Jack. “Topical prebiotics and postbiotics can directly influence the skin's surface ecosystem, targeting specific concerns like redness or barrier repair. As always, the key is balance and personalisation with probiotics, ensuring that the approach aligns with your needs.”
Finally, packaging matters when it comes to preserving the calming, restorative benefits of probiotic skincare, so swerve jars and choose dark packaging where possible to avoid active ingredients degrading due to light exposure (a consideration for many skincare ingredients and formulations in general).
The best probiotic skincare to shop in 2025
From serums to SPFs, these are the probiotic-rich skincare products Bazaar recommends...
Balancing Face Mist
Handy for ‘sandwiching’ in moisture before your serum and moisturiser, this ceramide-rich mist contains a probiotic ferment (lactobacillus ferment and bifida ferment filtrate to be exact) to boost hydration and strengthen the skin barrier.
If your skin feels tight and dry, despite using nourishing skincare, a spritz of this could make all the difference. Try misting it over make-up if you find that darting between cold air and central heating causes skin to become irritated during the day.
Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum
A soothing, cooling fragrance-free serum with vitreoscilla ferment to calm irritation, and hyaluronic acid for an immediate moisture boost and plumping effect. The simple formulation also contains niacinamide to address dullness. Whether your skin is dry, oily, sensitive or a combination of all of the above, it’s got something to gain from a few drops of this.
Calming Serum
Specialists in probiotic skincare technology, Gallinée was acquired by Shiseido in 2022, giving the French brand more resources to devote to microbiome-related research and product development. One such innovation is this anti-inflammatory serum, designed to address sensitivity thanks to an algae-based prebiotic complex that helps skin to conserve moisture and a probiotic strain that targets pathogenic bacteria on the skin, thus reducing flare-ups.
Postbiotic benefits, meanwhile, come care of fermented oats. “The fermentation process makes the lipids and fatty acids in oats even more bioavailable to the skin, increasing their soothing effects” says brand founder Dr Marie Drago.
Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate
This concentrate features no fewer than seven pre- and probiotic extracts working in synergy to nurture the microbiome. Prebiotic liquorice extract helps to unify skin tone and deliver a potent dose of antioxidants, while vitamin C brings even more brightening prowess. The silky, lightweight texture is easy to layer with other skincare too.
Ultra Recovery Booster
Many of Sarah Chapman's products are like little facials in a bottle and this lightweight booster (that feels like a cross between a lotion and a serum on the skin) is no different. It uses a combination of a pre-probiotic complex and peptides to calm dry, irritated complexions.
The Probiotic Concentrate
Aurelia's entire brand premise focuses on utilising the powerful benefits of probiotics to fortify the skin's in-built immune responses. This gentle serum can be applied 'neat' or blended with your moisturiser to rebalance skin and calm breakouts, plus a probiotic peptide increases natural collagen production to speed up healing.
Elizabeth Arden Superstart Skin Renewal Booster
Brimming with brilliantly packaged probiotics (the pump bottle keeps them fresh and ensures you only apply what you need), this creamy serum keeps healthy skin flora in check, with a ceramide blend for extra suppleness.
Advanced Night Repair Rescue Solution Serum
This concentrate contains probiotic bifidus ferment to support the delicate microbiome in the face of everything from pollution to UV damage. A clever peptide complex hydrates skin and supports cell repair as you sleep, although there’s no reason that you can’t layer this light serum under your sunscreen during the day too for around-the-clock benefits.
Dr. Levy Switzerland Freezing Anti-Fatigue Mask
Smooth on this refreshing gel mask straight from the fridge; it depuffs and revitalizes tired complexions and is loaded with prebiotic antioxidants that act like a shield for the skin’s microbiome. The mineral-rich formula also leaves skin incredibly soft; wash it off after 20 minutes and skin will be perfectly prepped for make-up (or just bed).
Relief Sun SPF 50: Rice + Probiotics
Month-on-month searches for this cult Korean sunscreen soared throughout 2024, likely owing to the fact that it’s got ‘suits everyone’ appeal. Extremely rich in moisturising rice extract, its grain-derived probiotic complex is not only soothing, but it enhances the effects of other restorative ingredients within the formula, bolstering your skin barrier in the process.
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