Do probiotics help with skin disease? What the research does and doesn't show

The evidence does not support probiotics as a treatment for eczema, acne, rosacea or psoriasis. Pooled trials found fewer acne lesions at 12 weeks of oral probiotics and only slight changes at 4 weeks, and mixed results in children's eczema. We found no verified trials for rosacea or psoriasis. Strains and doses varied.

What the evidence doesn't support

• Clearing eczema. A review of nine placebo-controlled trials in 1,000 children found no significant difference in the dichotomous outcomes (OR 1.75, 95% CI 0.70 to 4.35), and a modest SCORAD severity difference in the continuous ones, with high heterogeneity. We found no verified adult eczema trial.
• Fast acne results: at 4 weeks the lesion counts differed only slightly between probiotics and control.
• Rosacea or psoriasis. We did not find a verified randomized trial or review, so we report none.
• Any particular strain. Reviews pooled different products.

What the trials found

Acne

A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis of nine randomized trials in 623 people with acne found that at 12 weeks, oral probiotics reduced severity grading (SMD -1.38, 95% CI -2.69 to -0.08) and total lesions (mean difference -10.4, 95% CI -16.2 to -4.51) versus control, with improved skin hydration and sebum content, and no major adverse effects reported. The review also allowed trials with other kinds of controls; strains and doses varied by trial.

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) in children

The review of nine randomized placebo-controlled trials in 1,000 children with atopic dermatitis found the SCORAD severity score fell 4.24 points (95% CI -7.78 to -0.71) in the continuous analysis, while the dichotomous analysis was not significant, with heterogeneity of 68 to 71%. The authors called the evidence limited and said single-strain treatment performed better. This is a finding about children and is not guidance on children's care.

Questions people ask

Do probiotics help eczema, and which probiotics work for eczema?

In children, a modest improvement in a severity score appeared in some analyses and not others, with single strains faring better. No strain is established, and we have no verified adult data.

Can probiotics help acne, cause acne or cure it, and which should I take?

The 12-week result above is a signal, not a cure, and no strain is established. We did not find a verified study showing that probiotics cause acne. Acne that scars or is painful should be seen by a doctor.

Do probiotics help rosacea or psoriasis?

We have no verified trial evidence to report for either.

See also probiotics and hair, probiotics and inflammation and how to choose a good probiotic.

When to talk to a doctor

A supplement is not a treatment for any skin condition. See a doctor or dermatologist for spreading rashes, infected or weeping skin, painful cystic acne, scarring or a skin problem in a child. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before starting a probiotic if you have a weakened immune system or take prescription medicine.