Probiotic ingredients function primarily as skin conditioning agents when added to tanning lotions, providing skin barrier strengthening and microbiome balancing effects.
Overview
Probiotics are beneficial live microorganisms that can provide health benefits when applied topically to the skin. Recently, probiotics have been added to some body- and tanning- lotions and creams.
Benefits
- May help restore skin’s natural microbiome and pH balance
- Some studies show probiotics can help treat skin conditions like eczema, acne, and dry skin
- May help protect skin from damage and promote healing
- Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects
Key Probiotic Strains
- Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are common genera added to lotions
- Specific strains like Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus paracasei are used
Effectiveness
- Evidence on efficacy is limited but promising. More research is needed.
- Effects likely depend on probiotic strains used.
- Live cultures must be able to survive formulation and storage.
Products
- Major brands like Devoted Creations, Aveeno, La Roche-Posay, Clinique, and Tula have probiotic body lotions
- Tend to be marketed for sensitive or eczema-prone skin
- Usually list probiotic extract or ferment on ingredient list
Considerations
- Safety has not been extensively studied, but generally well tolerated
- Probiotic viability decreases over time, so check expiration dates
- May need continued use for long-term skin benefits
- Consult a dermatologist if concerned about skin reaction
Here are some additional details on common probiotic strains found in body lotions using INCI names and referencing the Personal Care Products Council database:
- INCI Name: Lactobacillus Ferment
- Description: Biotechnological product obtained from the fermentation by the microorganism Lactobacillus
- INCI Name: Lactobacillus
- Description: Biotechnological product obtained from the fermentation by the microorganism Lactobacillus
- INCI Name: Bifida Ferment Lysate
- Description: Lysate of probiotic Bifidobacteria bacteria used as a skin conditioning agent
- INCI Name: Lactobacillus Lysate
- Description: Lysate obtained from the lysis of Lactobacillus bacteria used for its smoothing properties
Overall, probiotic strains are included under INCI names referencing the bacterial genus along with words like “ferment” or “lysate” to indicate the bacterial byproducts generated. The INCI database provides some high-level background on the production and intended use of these probiotic ingredients.
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