Why probiotics are the key to clear skin and how exactly they work

If you struggle with problematic skin, you probably have a bathroom full of lotions, serums and creams. But the legendary Arnold Schwarzenegger and his team at Arnold's Pump Club have now turned their attention elsewhere - inside the body. Analyzing the latest studies, they've come up with the claim that probiotics may be a key ally in the fight against acne.

Most acne advice tells us to "fix" our skin from the outside. But in a new edition of their newsletter, Arnold's team points to a new review of nine randomized trials that suggests the gut plays a much bigger role in skin quality than we thought.

The domino effect: How does it work?

You may be wondering what a yogurt or a pill has to do with bacteria and pimples on your forehead. According to the information Schwarzenegger shares, it's not that probiotics fight acne directly on the skin. Instead, they trigger a so-called "domino effect" in the body .

When the health of your gut microbiome improves, the body responds in three ways that help your skin:

1. Reduce inflammation: acne is an inflammatory disease, and a healthy gut helps to dampen inflammatory processes throughout the body.
2. Improving the skin barrier: A healthier internal environment leads to more resilient skin.
3. Adjusting immune signaling: The body responds better to bacteria and external threats.

Arnold's warning: patience or nothing

Schwarzenegger's team, however, strongly cautions against expecting miracles overnight. This is the main reason people often quit probiotics prematurely - they don't see results right away.

The data from the studies speak clearly:

• After 4 weeks: the difference was almost imperceptible.
• After 12 weeks (3 months).

So if you decide to try this route, Arnold's advice is, "You have to give it at least 12 weeks before you can judge whether it works."

Which probiotics to choose?

This is where the science is still a little behind. Arnold's newsletter fairly admits that studies have used different strains of bacteria(Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Bacillus, etc.) and different formulas. So there is not yet one "miracle strain" to point the finger at in the pharmacy.

Conclusion

If you're already using a proven treatment (e.g. retinoids or benzoyl peroxide), probiotics can serve as a great supportive treatment that can provide a small but valuable extra benefit, according to Arnold. Don't expect a dramatic transformation in a week, but if you persevere for a quarter of a year, your gut may reward you with a cleaner face.