Probiotics: not just for your gut

They’re the good bacteria (and live yeasts) of the world, well known for keeping our gut healthy. What you might not realise is they may be a youth-boosting fix for your face, too. A 2016 review of studies found that a growing body of evidence supports the use of topical probiotics in slowing the skin manifestations of ageing. The substances were found to alleviate oxidative stress and help with sun damage. Dr Koh says suggestions that probiotics might help to restore the more natural, slightly acidic PH of the skin, improve skin-barrier function and reduce photo-ageing are still being investigated. Hopefully, it might only be a matter of time until we can confirm probiotics’ all-round talent, promoting good health and glowing skin from the inside out – and the outside in.