What are Probiotics Doing in Skincare?

Probiotics are in right now. They are making appearances in everything from food to skincare. Do we really need probiotics in everything?

Ok, I agree that there is a time and place for probiotics. They help to balance the system in times of intestinal upset due to virus, antibiotic use, and can be helpful for those with IBS, for instance. But as a daily supplement for an otherwise healthy person this just seems like over kill. I mean, why mess with a balanced system?

I take a probiotic that I purchase at my drugstore any time I’m on an antibiotic to combat the bloat this medication produces in me. It helps almost instantly and I give them up once my medicine is gone.

My sister, on the other hand, has tried probiotics for health reasons and ended up breaking out in hives. We associated this with the probiotics but were never sure. Until recently when she used a body lotion with probiotics and ended up with hives again.

I am not sure why we think we need to put this stuff in our skincare and wince every time I see a new probiotic-containing beauty product advertised. It is most likely a fad but this one could really create problems.

What is your experience with probiotic use? Please chime in with a comment. We’d love to know!

Image by Brian Gratwicke at Flickr.com, cc]