Possible Causes of Probiotic-Induced Acne

Probiotic induced acne can be an uncommon side effect

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If you use probiotics for your acne, then it is likely that you have experienced the side effects of these supplements.

Probiotic-induced acne is a frustrating condition that can leave those who suffer from it feeling like they’ve been backed into a corner with nowhere to turn. However, there are ways to prevent this type of reaction and keep yourself looking great while taking your daily dose of probiotics.

Acne is a common side effect of probiotic supplements

Acne is a common side effect of probiotic supplements. However, many people are unaware of this fact. Probiotics can help to regulate the skin’s natural flora and prevent breakouts by reducing inflammation on the face; however, they may also cause acne for some users. Those individuals who experience acne as a result of probiotics may want to consider discontinuing use or switching brands for improved results.

People with skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis that are exacerbated by bacterial infections may find that taking probiotic supplements helps their condition without worsening it as antibiotics might do. However, certain medications (such as isotretinoin) can make one more susceptible to bacterial infection, and in these cases taking probiotics may worsen symptoms.

Probiotic-induced acne is a common side effect of taking probiotics

There are many different causes of probiotic-induced acne, and it can be difficult to determine which one is causing your breakouts.

Some of the most common causes of probiotic-induced acne include:

  • Taking too many probiotics at once
  • Taking probiotics that are not compatible with your system
  • Having a pre-existing condition that makes you susceptible to acne breakouts
  • Not drinking enough water while taking probiotics
  • Taking antibiotics along with probiotics
  • Topical products not being thoroughly removed before taking probiotics

Common causes of probiotic-induced acne

1) Taking too many probiotics at once. There is a limit to how much of a “good” bacteria can be in your system before it turns into an infection. When you take excess amounts of good bacteria, the body recognizes this as an infection and creates antibodies to counter this bacterial threat. In fighting the “bad guys”, these antibodies also harm the good guys.

2) Take certain probiotics that are not compatible with your system. Often, companies will make a product without doing any testing as to whether or not it is going to be beneficial for you. Some people have negative reactions to particular types of cultures, and it would be best if you can determine what the cultures are and eliminate them from your diet.

3) Having a pre-existing condition that makes you susceptible to acne breakouts. If you have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease or weakened immune system, then taking probiotics may also take its toll on your skin as well as other parts of your body where bad bacteria reside. This is a bit complicated because you should definitely take probiotics to correct the bad bacteria, but it’s best to do this gradually and under a doctor’s supervision.

4) Not drinking enough water while taking probiotics. If you don’t drink enough water when taking probiotics, there is less fluid in your system for the good bacteria to compete against the bad bacteria.

5) Taking antibiotics along with probiotics. Antibiotics lower your immune system and can damage your gut flora. It is best not to take any drugs at all, but if you must take them, at least wait a couple of hours after taking them before taking your probiotic supplement. This gives the antibiotic time to be absorbed into the body.

6) Topical products not being thoroughly removed before taking probiotics. It is best to cleanse your skin with water before taking any supplements. If you are not cleansing your skin completely, then bacteria from your topical products will compete against the good bacteria in the supplement for resources. Good resources include water and “food” from the intestinal wall.

Prevention tips for avoiding probiotic-induced acne

The best way to reduce the chances of experiencing an adverse reaction to probiotics is by avoiding certain strains altogether. By knowing what causes these reactions, you can easily identify which products may be causing problems for you and avoid them in the future.

There are also other steps that can be taken before consuming any new supplement or treatment that will help minimize the risk of experiencing such side effects as well as aftercare tips if a breakout does occur so that damage can be kept at bay until your skin has time to heal itself naturally on its own without the help of any product or treatment.

Best probiotic strains for acne

Know what to look for when searching for a probiotic supplement. The strains of good bacteria that are commonly used in skincare products usually fall under three main categories:

  • Lactobacilli
  • Bifidobacteria
  • Certain strains of Streptococci

When it comes to probiotics, there are a lot of different strains that can be used. But not all of them are created equal. In fact, some strains are better than others when it comes to skincare products.

Lactobacilli is one of the most common types of good bacteria used in probiotic supplements and skincare products. This strain is known for its ability to fight off bad bacteria and promote healthy skin.

Bifidobacteria is another popular strain that is often found in yogurt and other probiotic-rich foods. This strain helps to keep the digestive system healthy and can also improve skin health.

Lastly, certain strains of Streptococci can also be beneficial for skin health. These strains help the skin to remain moisturized and fight off bad bacteria that can cause acne and other blemishes.

Probiotic strains to avoid

Anything containing the word “thermophilus” usually isn’t a good choice since it’s been found to cause acne breakouts. Other strains that have been known to cause probiotic-induced acne include:

  • Bacterium lactis
  • Bifidobacterium dentium
  • Streptococcus iniae

In order to find out what works best for you, it’s recommended to talk with your doctor about which strain is best suited for you and your lifestyle.

Trial use of probiotic products to ascertain their benefit

The best way to know if you’re having an adverse reaction to any product is by simply using it sparingly at first and then slowly working your way up.

If your skin breaks out or experiences other negative changes, then that should be a sign for you to stop using the product completely until further notice. Lastly, if your skin does start to feel better after using a product, then that could just mean that you just need this specific product in order to maintain or achieve the results that you’re looking for.

If it is the latter, then you’ll have to weigh whether or not these benefits are worth it considering they can be achieved naturally through healthy living habits which don’t have any negative side effects.

Once your skin has fully cleared up, you can slowly start introducing the product again to see if it brings back any old problems since many outbreaks tend to happen as a result of reintroduction into your system instead of being caused by an allergic reaction. If that is the case, then this would be a good time to try and find a natural alternative to the product in question.

Good hygiene will always help towards minimising probiotic-induced acne and other related skin conditions = probiotic-induced acne
Good hygiene will always help towards minimizing probiotic-induced acne and other related skin conditions

In conclusion

Lastly, it’s also important for you to keep in mind that even if you don’t experience any negative side effects from using a certain probiotic-rich product, it is still changing your body on a cellular level so there can be long term changes such as suppressed immunity (which is why all medications come with warnings regarding how they can affect your body afterward so be sure to give any new supplement or treatment time to work its way out of your system before coming to the conclusion that it’s not working for you) so keep in mind that these things can take months or even years to fully show their effects.

Good hygiene is always a good way to prevent acne or other breakouts and it’s important for all of us to keep that in mind regardless of what we’re applying to our skin.


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