life

Review
Microbiome and Probiotics in Acne Vulgaris—A Narrative Review
Karolina Chilicka 1, * , Iwona Dzieńdziora-Urbińska 1 , Renata Szyguła 1 , Binnaz Asanova 2
and Danuta Nowicka 3

1 Department of Health Sciences, University of Opole, 45-040 Opole, Poland;

[email protected] (I.D.-U.); [email protected] (R.S.)
2 Medical College Yordanka Filaretova, Medical University of Sofia, 1606 Sofia, Bulgaria;
[email protected]
3 Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Wrocław Medical University, 50-368 Wrocław,
Poland; [email protected]
* Correspondence: [email protected]

Abstract: Acne vulgaris is a chronic disease characterised by the appearance of eruptions such
as whiteheads, blackheads, pustules, papules, and cysts. Among factors that cause acne vulgaris
are the abnormal keratinisation of the sebaceous canal, bacterial colonisation (Cutibacterium acnes),
increased sebum production, genotypic factors, and hormonal disorders. Treatment is often long and
tedious, and can lead to a reduction in quality of life and social isolation. The intestinal microbiota
is greatly important in the formation of acne lesions. It is also responsible for the proper immunity
of the organism. Acne is a disease that can be related to the condition of the digestive tract and its
microbiome. Research shows that the use of probiotics may reduce skin eruptions. The probiotic
supplementation and cosmetics markets are very dynamically developing. The use of internal
supplementation and probiotic-containing cosmetics gives hope for the improvement of the skin
condition of people with acne.



Keywords: acne; microbiome; skin microflora; probiotics; skin care


Citation: Chilicka, K.;
Dzieńdziora-Urbińska, I.; Szyguła, R.;
Asanova, B.; Nowicka, D. Microbiome
and Probiotics in Acne Vulgaris—A
1. Introduction
Narrative Review. Life 2022, 12, 422. Acne vulgaris is a disease characterised by skin eruptions such as whiteheads, black-
https://doi.org/10.3390/life12030422 heads, pustules, papules, and cysts. Acne vulgaris can have either noninflammatory or
inflammatory lesions, or a mixture of both. Factors that cause this disease can be bacterial
Academic Editor: Enzo Berardesca
colonisation, increased sebum production, and the abnormal keratinisation of the sebaceous
Received: 14 February 2022 canals. Acne vulgaris affects 95% of boys and 83% of girls at the age of 16. In females, acne
Accepted: 14 March 2022 is more persistent and commonly located on the face, while males experience more severe
Published: 15 March 2022 forms with eruptions located mostly on the chest and back. Acne occurs also in the adult
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral
population, not only in teenagers [1].
with regard to jurisdictional claims in Standard acne therapy is the most appropriate first-line therapy for noninflammatory
published maps and institutional affil- comedones or mild inflammatory disease. Topical agents are most frequently used. This
iations. group includes keratolytics, alpha-hydroxy acids, benzoyl peroxide, retinoid analogues,
azelaic acid, and topical antibiotics. For patients with refractory lesions to topical therapy
or those with more severe or extensive disease, oral antibiotics are useful. Tetracyclines,
erythromycin, trimethoprim, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole have all been used to
Copyright: © 2022 by the authors. inhibit Cutibacterium acnes. Tetracycline and erythromycin also have an anti-inflammatory
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. effect in vitro by decreasing neutrophil chemotaxis and chemotactic factors. Patients with
This article is an open access article severe acne are frequently treated with oral isotretinoin (13-cis-retinoic acid), often with
distributed under the terms and dramatic results. Isotretinoin is an ideal medication based on its mechanisms of action,
conditions of the Creative Commons
which include a reduction in sebum production, the inhibition of comedone formation, and
Attribution (CC BY) license (https://
the modulation of the inflammatory response; a course of therapy may lead to prolonged re-
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/
mission even in the most severe cases. Unfortunately, isotretinoin is associated with a wide
4.0/).

Life 2022, 12, 422. https://doi.org/10.3390/life12030422 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/life

Life 2022, 12, 422 2 of 11

array of adverse effects, and only practitioners who are experienced with its use should pre-
scribe it. It may cause arthralgias, stiffness, tendonitis, serum lipid abnormalities, alopecia,
photosensitivity, mucosal and skin dryness, liver function test abnormalities, pancreati-
tis, depression, anaemia, and leukopenia. Laboratory tests, including serum cholesterol,
triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, liver function tests, and a complete blood count,
should be performed before the initiation of isotretinoin therapy and periodically during
treatment, generally every 4–6 weeks. Of particular concern is the risk to pregnant women,
as isotretinoin is associated with spontaneous abortion and congenital malformations. Its
teratogenicity mandates that appropriate screening and counselling be conducted before
initiating therapy in women of childbearing age. Urine or serum pregnancy tests should be
performed in the week before starting therapy and should monthly throughout treatment.
The use of two methods of birth control is recommended; contraception should be practised
from 1 month before starting therapy until 1 month after it is discontinued.
As a result of long-term treatment and severe forms of acne, scars can remain on
patient skin and reduce quality of their life. Symptoms caused by acne contribute to the
development of depression, especially in adolescents. Post inflammatory hyperpigmen-
tation can cause fears that lead to deterioration of quality of life. It is very important to
contact a dermatologist who could professionally assess the causes of acne and select the
appropriate treatment that prevents complications such as discoloration or acne scars [2].
Androgen hormones and testosterone control sebum production. Patients with severe
acne, both men and women, have increased levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate,
sex hormone-binding globulin, and androstenedione. Excessive sebum production plays a
key role in the pathophysiology of acne and generates the inflammatory process [3].
Researchers claim that there is a relationship between acne and the consumption of
milk or other dairy products. There is the hypothesis that consuming highly glycaemic
food and milk can increase the level of insulin. This can lead to inflammation, androgenic
stimulation, and the formation of blackheads and whiteheads [4].

2. Skin Microbiome
The term microbiome (microbiota) describes the entirety of microorganisms present
in a given habitat. The skin is the most external organ of our body and is inhabited by
bacteria, viruses, fungi, and mites. Most of the microorganisms that inhabit the skin are
harmless to the skin and live in symbiosis with skin cells [5–8].
The main types of dermal colonisation are the following bacteria: Actinobacteria (Mi-
crococcus spp.), Firmicutes (nonhaemolytic aerobes and anaerobes), Staphylococci (Staphy-
lococcus spp.), Clostridium spp., ahaemolytic Streptococci (Streptococcus spp.), Enterococci
(Enterococcus spp., Sphingobacterium spp., Chryseobacterium spp.), Proteobacteria (Janthinobac-
terium spp., Serratia spp., Halomonas spp., Delftia spp., Comamonas spp.) [9,10]. Bacteria
inhabiting the surface of the skin include S. epidermidis, S. saprophyticus, S. hominis, S. warneri,
S. haemolyticus, and S.capitis, bacteria of the genus Cutibacterium (C. acnes, C. jeikeium) and
bacteria of the genus Micrococcus (M. luteus, M. varians, M. lylae, M. sedentarius, M. roseus,
M. kristinae, and M. nishinomiyaensis). The skin can also be inhabited by pathogenic bacteria
such as group A Streptococci (S. pyogenes) and Gram-negative bacilli (P. aeruginosa) [11,12].
On the surface of human skin, there are also fungi of genera Malassezia (M. furfur,
M. sympodialis, M. globosa, M. restricta, M. slooffiae, M. yamatoensis, M. obtusa, M. dermatis,
and M. japonica), Penicillium (P. chrysogenum, P. lanosum), Aspergillus (A. candidus, A. terreus,
A. versicolor), Candida (C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, C.orthopsilosis), Chaetomium, Chrysospo-
rium, Cladosporium, Mucor, Debaryomyces, Cryptococcus (C. flavus, C. dimmennae, C.diffluent),
Trichophyton and Rhodotorula. Pathogenic fungi that are capable of causing skin diseases
include the following dermatophytes (Microsporum, Trichophyton, Epidermophyton) [9,13–16].
As mentioned above, the skin microbiome also includes mites. Demodex spp. are
characteristic of sebaceous glands and hair follicles, with the most numerous representatives
being D. folliculorum (hair follicles), D. brevis (sebaceous glands and Meibomian glands).
Life 2022, 12, 422 3 of 11

Demodex mites are carriers of a proinflammatory Gram-negative bacterium Bacillus oleronius,

which is considered to cause inflammatory responses [17].
The skin virome has been investigated, but it constitutes a large part of the skin mi-
crobiome, which is due to the difficulties associated with viral sequencing [13]. The viral
skin flora is complex and heterogeneous with multiple polyomaviruses (Polyomaviridae),
circoviruses (Circoviridea), and papillomaviruses (Papillomaviridae) detected on healthy
skin [18–20]. The gut microbiome also contains a small proportion of both DNA viruses
(Anelloviridae, Geminiviridae, Herpesviridae, Nanoviridae, Papillomaviridae, Parvoviridae, Poly-
omaviridae, Adenoviridae and Circoviridaeas) andRNA viruses (Caliciviridae, Picornaviridae,
Reoviridae) [21]. The human virome also comprises phagesthat appear in the microbiome
very early in life. They play an important role in the regulation of the bacterial microbiota.
The most impotent phage genes are Caudovirales and Microviridae [21,22].
Little is known about Archaea. Recent studies using quantitative PCR of archaeal gene
sequencing found Archeae accounting for up to 4.2% of the total skin microbiome. Most of
the Archeae are Thaumarchaeota [23].
Bacterial composition depends on the use of cosmetics, environmental factors, pro-
fession, exposure to UV radiation, antibiotics, and humidity [24–26]. The microbiome
landscape of the skin changes with age; in newborns, the skin microbiome largely de-
pends on the type of delivery, while in children, Firmicutes becomes dominant. Gender
also contributes to the composition of the skin microbiome. The surfaces of the hands
and forearms of women are colonised by more diverse microorganisms, while men have
more Malassezia than women do. These elements are influenced by make-up, among other
things [24,27]. Environmental and endocrine factors specifically influence the virulence of
C. acnes [28,29]. In recent times, the skin microbiome has often been analysed in relation to
the etiopathogenesis of dermatological diseases. Atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, rosacea, and
hidradenitis suppurativa play the best-known roles in the microbiome.
Recently, the relationship between clinical manifestations of atopic dermatitis and the
skin microbiome of atopic patients has been analysed. Research shows that pathological
microflora dominates in patients with exacerbations of the disease and severe lesions.
Conversely, the commensal microflora appeared again on the skin with clinical improve-
ment. Furthermore, a dysfunction of the skin barrier function observed in patients with
atopic dermatitis facilitates the colonisation by S. aureus, which translates into a numerical
increase in its colonies on the skin of affected patients. S. aureus can modulate inflammatory
responses via mediators; and thus, control inflammation. The surface of the skin and the
intestines participates in the development of allergy or asthma due to the immunological
pathways of these organs. Changes in the skin microflora with age promote the maturation
of the immune system by providing epitopes for immunity-boosting training. Other factors
responsible for changes in the skin microbiome include topical medications (corticosteroids,
immunomodulators) and topical preparations (moisturisers, emollients) recommended for
primary and secondary prophylaxis. Overall, stimulating the growth of symbiotic bacteria
can restore the balance of the microbiome, thereby reducing the symptoms of inflammation
in atopic patients. The presence of Gram-positive bacteria on the skin (Streptococcus, Lacto-
coccus, and Streptomyces) restrains the spread of other pathogenic bacteria. For this reason,
some emollients containingsymbiotic bacteria improve skin condition, acting similarly
to probiotics.
A link between the skin microbiome and psoriasis has also been observed. Current
research highlights that patients with psoriasis have a different skin microbiome than that
of healthy people. Studies have shown that some microorganisms can alter the course of the
disease, for example, bacteria including S. aureus and S. pyogenes, viruses (Papillomaviridae
and endogenous Retroviridae), and fungi (Malassezia spp. and Candida albicans). Interestingly,
high concentrations of Malassezia spp. detected in the lesion of patients with psoriasis
resulted in an increased risk of irritation when the skin was treated with topical calcipotriol.
Furthermore, antifungal agents improve the condition of nail plates in psoriasis, which may
be caused by the elimination of fungi and their ability to worsen skin lesions. Phototherapy,
Life 2022, 12, 422 4 of 11

with its ability to improve oxidative stress parameters, could also change the microflora
of the skin and improve its condition. The association among psoriasis, changes in skin
microbiota, and systemic oxidative stress parameters after narrowband UVB therapy is an
interesting topic of further research.
The exact pathophysiology of rosacea is still poorly understood, but current theories
focus on the role of the cutaneous microbiome, specifically D. folliculorum and a few
commensal bacteria, in the propagation of an inflammatory response. However, the theory
of microbial induction extends beyond the skin to include the gastrointestinal microbiome
and complications therein. Additional gastrointestinal pathologies have been implicated,
including infection by H.pylori and irritable bowel syndrome. The treatment of rosacea
with topical antibiotics and antiparasitic agents has long reigned supreme, followed by oral
agents of the tetracycline class. Future studies should further investigate the role of the
gastrointestinal microbiome in the pathogenesis of rosacea, as intraluminal agents such as
rifaxim in have beneficial effects.
In hidradenitis suppurativa, also called acne inversa, dysregulated microbiome is
mentioned among other causative factors [30]. Research reports differences between
lesional and nonlesional skin in people with and without hidradenitis suppurativa in terms
of the composition of the skin microbiome. In patients with hidradenitis suppurativa, the
microbiome of skin lesions included Cutibacterium species, Porphyromonas and Peptoniphilus
species, while in the microbiome of nonlesional skin, Acinetobacter and Moraxella species
dominated. No C. acnes was found in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa [31]. Evidence
of differences in the composition of the gastrointestinal microbiome is limited but suggests
that the gut microbiome of patients with hidradenitis suppurativa may be altered when
compared to that of healthy people [32].

3. Skin Microbiota in Acne

Cutibacterium acnes is considered to be the most likely acne pathogen. Its classification
and terminology (former names Propionibacterium and Corynebacterium) were updated by
the Microbiology Society [33,34]. C. acnes is a bacterium found in areas rich in sebum,
such as the scalp, face, chest, and back. However, most of this bacterium is found on
the scalp and face, then on the upper limbs, and the least on the lower limbs. C. acnes is
observed with age, it rarely occurs on the skin of children, increases in adolescence and
adulthood, and then decreases after the age of 50 years [12,35]. Although the role of C. acnes
in the pathophysiology of acne is not fully understood, its main role is that it helps in
keeping the skin pH low by releasing free fatty acids and inhibiting the multiplication
of S. aureus and Streptococcus. The population of C. acnes strains is diverse depending on
the characteristics of the cohorts of the examined patients. Strains can be classified into
ribotypes (RT) on the basis of C. acnes 16S rDNA sequences [36]. Fitz-Gibbon et al. showed a
strong association between C. acnes strains of RT4 and RT5. Strains of RT6 were linked with
healthy skin. They also concluded that RT7, RT8, RT9 and RT10, and interactions that may
take place among the different strains, may contribute to the development of the disease [37].
C. acnes, in comparison with healthy strains, contains additional virulence genes [38]. In
contrast, Johnson et al. found that acne-related strains generate more porphyrin, which can
cause inflammation in keratinocytes [39]. Association with acne causes inflammation in
keratinocytes, peripheral blood mononuclear cells and sebocytes, while strains in healthy
patients do not [40,41], and hyperkeratinisation of hair sebaceous units [42,43]. C. acnes
stimulates the innate and specific response. It expresses pattern recognition receptors (PRRs)
and receptors from the toll-like receptor (TLR) family, of which TLR-2 and TLR-4 play a
key role. The TLR-2 receptor activates the NF-B pathway and produces cytokines such as
Il-1, Il-6, Il-8, IL-10, Il-112, and TNF. Cytokines IL-1 and IL-6 stimulate the proliferation of
keratinocytes, Il-1 is a proinflammatory cytokine and increases the production of sebum
and reduces the content of linoleic acid. Proinflammatory factors activate transcription
factor Ap-1, which induces the gene for matrix metalloproteinase. This process is followed
by the synthesis of metalloproteins involved in the destruction of connective tissue [44].
Life 2022, 12, 422 5 of 11

C. acnes, due to the presence of lipase, hydrolyses di- and triglycerides that are part of sebum
into free fatty acids, have an irritating and proinflammatory effect, and intensify follicular
keratosis. Additionally, C. acnes produces protease hyaluronidase and neuraminidases,
which also have a proinflammatory effect. In the pathogenesis of acne, insulin growth
factor 1(IGF-1) stimulating the production of sebum also plays a role. It increases skin
eruptions in women, while in men, it causes seborrhoea [45]. C. acnes and a hyperglycaemic
diet stimulate the proliferation of keratinocytes and the formation of comedones [46].
Human skin is colonised by many microbes, and although C. acnes is most associated
with acne eradication, other microbes also influence the development of this disease. On
the basis of scientific studies, C. granulosum is more virulent than C. acnes, and is found
in comedones and pustules in acne patients [47]. Malassezia is also believed to be an acne-
causing organism [48]. Many studies showed that Malassezia also hydrolyses triglycerides to
free fatty acids, which cause hyperkeratinisation of the hair follicle ducts and the formation
of comedones [49].

4. Influence of Intestinal Microbiota on Acne Lesions

The intestinal microbiota is greatly important in the formation of acne lesions. It is
also responsible for the proper immunity of the organism and defence by microorganisms,
thus determining tolerance to substances supplied to the human body with food, leading
to an immune response [50]. Acne and the condition of the digestive tract are both associ-
ated with the quality of microbiome inhabiting intestines. In addition, both skin and the
intestines are very densely vascularised and innervated. They perform neuroendocrine and
immune functions, among others. An increasing number of studies indicate that the health
of the intestines is related to the health of the skin [51,52]. Research on the microbiota is
still incomplete, as what influence it has on the condition of the skin has not been fully
investigated. The Western diet disturbs the balance between beneficial and pathogenic
microorganisms, which contributes to inflammation, including inflammatory skin diseases.
Stress also disturbs eubiosis, and bacteria Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are particularly
sensitive to its effects. In stressful situations, microorganisms can produce neurotransmit-
ters that are inflammatory for the body. The microbiota also modifies the production of
short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which fulfil many functions, e.g., nourishing intestinal
cells and modulating brain activity. One such acid is propionic acid, which is toxic to
S. aureus. Hence, SCFAs may also affect the skin’s resistance to cutaneous Staphylococcus
and C. Acnes [53,54]. However, the gut microbiota is still a poorly understood topic, and
only a few scientists have studied the gut flora of acne patients, as shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Summary of available studies on gut flora in acne patients.

Author and Study Year Research Conclusions

People with acne show a significantly different intestinal flora
Loveman et al., 1955 [55]
compared to the control group.
Acne patients showed less variability in the gut microflora
Volkova et al., 2001 [56] and a higher ratio of Bacierioidetes to Firmicutes being an
entero type of the Western diet.
Reduction in the number of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus,
Deng et al., 2018 [57] Coprobacillus, Butyricicoccus, and Allobusulum in acne patients
compared to the control group.
Bacterioidetes spp. that escalated under stressful conditions
Yan et al., 2018 [58]
were isolated in acne patients.

Although knowledge on the human microbiome has significantly expanded in recent

years, the microbiological environment in humans is complex and unique. Over the past
several decades, researchers have searched for the relationship between the microbiota and
C. acnes. Recent studies have shown that C. acnes strains dominate in acne vulgaris, but all
Life 2022, 12, 422 6 of 11

limitations and methods of skin sampling indicate the need for more extensive research in
this area.

5. Externally Used Probiotics in Dermatology and Cosmetology

Probiotics are defined as “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate
amounts, confer a health benefit on the host” [59]. They do not show carcinogenic effects,
but instead show a protective effect and are safe to use. The best-known microorganisms
with probiotic effects are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. They belong to anaerobic bacteria,
are normal micro white flora, and are Gram-positive. In order for probiotic microorganisms
to be safe for human health, they must be nonpathogenic and nontoxic [59–61]. As early as
1900, Louis Pasteur defined the microorganisms responsible for fermentation and stated
that “lactobacilli might counteract the putrefactive effects of gastrointestinal metabolism
that contributed to illness and ageing” [62].
Probiotics may be used in various product categories such as drugs, cosmetics, dietary
supplements, and food and food additives. Their use in oral preparations is well-regulated,
while their use in cosmetics still requires to be regulated. There is no legal regulation for
topical probiotics [63,64]. According to the FDA, a cosmetic is “a product (excluding pure
soap) intended to be applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting
attractiveness, or altering the appearance” [65], yet probiotics are living microorganisms
that are ingested [59]. The International Cooperation on Cosmetics Regulation (ICCR) de-
veloped categories of microbiome-related products that included probiotics and postbiotics.
Postbiotics were defined as “preparations of inanimate microorganisms and/or their com-
ponents that confer a health benefit on the host”. They can also be used on a host surface,
including the mucosa and skin [66,67]. The action of probiotics is based on binding them
to the epidermal surface, inhibiting pathogens, producing antimicrobial substances, and
increasing immunomodulatory properties. Immunomodulatory properties transformthe
probiotic cosmetic into a preparation that can be used in the case of dermatological skin
diseases. Probiotics began to be used as an ingredient in intimate hygiene products, hair
shampoos, creams, and toothpaste. The most common strains that probiotic cosmetics
contain include Bacillus sabtilis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactoccocuslactis,
and Lactobacillus plantarum. These probiotics have a deep moisturising effect, stimulating
the production of lipids, and repair processes in the epidermis. The benefits of their use are
as follows: the number of unfavourable pathogens is eliminated or reduced, the production
of toxic metabolites is reduced, the production of antibodies is increased, the homeostasis
of the immune system is restored, and the synthesis of the cytokines is regulated [68–71].
When it comes to the use of probiotics in cosmetology and dermatology, these are
mainly products for washing and caring for skin with atopic dermatitis, acne-prone skin,
skin with eczema, psoriasis, and after invasive treatments in the field of cosmetology
or medicine, e.g., exfoliation with acids. Acne is a disease that manifests itself in the
appearance of blotchy skin eruptions. Astudy by Di Marzio et al. showed that the external
application of Streptococcus thermophilus to the skin for a period of 7 days increased the
production of ceramides [72]. Other researchers found that these studies were helpful in
the treatment of acne, as ceramides such as phytosphingosine provide antimicrobial and
anti-inflammatory activity against Cutibacteriumacnes [73]. Kang et al. tested the action
of lotion with E. faecalis with mild-to-moderate acne. The study exhibited diminution of
papules and pustules among patients, and showed that it could be an alternative treatment
to typical antibiotics. Topically applied probiotics can act as a protective shield, preventing
colonisation by other pathogens [74,75].
For several years in cosmetology, probiotics have been added to everyday care prod-
ucts. Their main role is to protect against harmful pathogens and reduce inflammation [76].
Fragments of cell walls and inanimate bacteria are contained in such cosmetic products
as serums, ointments, creams, body balms, body gels, and shampoos. Products with an-
tiwrinkle, antiageing, and moisturising properties are used thanks to lactic acid. The use
of such products promotes the regeneration of damaged skin, e.g., as a result of excessive
Life 2022, 12, 422 7 of 11

sunbathing. Probiotics also protect the skin of the hands and the nail plate, and have an
anti-itching effect. Research shows that the use of probiotics also has a favourable effect on
the regulation of pH thanks to the use of facial cleansing fluids, peels, and toning prepa-
rations [77,78]. The use of preparations influences the development of normal microflora,
thanks to which a protective barrier is created. The epidermis maintains adequate moisture
and strengthens the skin’s resistance to all negative external factors. The use of bacteria
such as Streptococcus salivarium spp. and S. thermophilus S244 in cosmetics leads to the
production of enzymes that moisturise the skin, thus reducing skin dryness and slowing
down ageing processes [79].

6. Oral Probiotics for Acne Vulgaris

So far, little research exists on the effect of probiotics on acne-prone skin. However,
there are studies that show the positive impact of their use. Jung et al. investigated 45
women taking the minocycline antibiotic. They examined whether probiotic supplemen-
tation would reduce side effects and whether there would be a synergistic effect when
using these two products. The participants were divided into 3 groups: the first group
received a probiotic, the second group received an antibiotic, and the third group received
an antibiotic and a probiotic. After completing the research, the scientists deduced that
probiotics could be considered to be a therapeutic or auxiliary option in the treatment of
acne. There was a synergistic anti-inflammatory effect, while probiotics minimised the
appearance of side effects resulting from the use of antibiotic therapy [80]. In 2010, the
ability of konjac glucomannan hydrolysates and probiotics (L. casei, L. plantarum, L. gasseri,
L. lactis) to inhibit C. acnes was investigated. Studies showed that all tested strains and
konjac glucomannan hydrolysates significantly inhibited the growth of bacteria. The re-
searchers recommended further research in terms of the therapeutic or prophylactic use of
the above-mentioned synbiotics [81].
Kang et al. conducted a study in which the role of E. faecalis SL-5 on C. acnes was
examined. Aspecial concentrated powder of CBT SL-5 was prepared that used cell-free
culture supernatant from E. faecalis SL-5. The study concluded that this bacteriocin was
able to reduce inflammation. The researchers suggested that E. faecalis can be an alternative
option in future acne therapy [74]. In another study that ran over a two-month period,
15 females were recruited. Patients used a base cream on the left side of their face, and
a base cream containing heat-killed L. plantarum-GMNL6 (1 × 109 cells/g of cream)on
the right side. The face quality was checked, and moisturising and skin colour tests were
conducted. The E (erythema) and M (melanin)indices were determined. The hydration
level of the skin was checked before and after the study. DNA was extracted from the head.
After completion of the research, iL. plantarum-GMNL6 enhanced collagen synthesis and
the gene expression of serine palmitoyltransferase small subunit A. It reduced melanin
synthesis, a biofilm of S. aureus, and the proliferation of C. acnes. Skin moisture, spots, and
porphyrins were improved [82].
Espinoza-Monje et al. were the first who characterised the antimicrobial and im-
munomodulatory features of Weissellaviridescens UCO-SMC3. The scientists isolated lactic
acid bacteria from garden-culture (Helix aspersa Müller) slime and selected W. viridescens
UCO-SMC3. Their study showed that the UCO-SMC3 strain is resistant to unfavourable
gastrointestinal conditions. Oral and topical administration of the strains was used, which
lead to a favourable modulation of the inflammatory response. The cream applied to
volunteers with acne vulgaris reduced skin eruptions [83]. Korean researchers used the
synergyof probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with curcuma longa extract (CLE) as a sym-
biotic against C. acnes. They concluded that the combination of probiotic LAB and CLE
produced cooperation antibacterial effects against C. acnes, which gives hope for the use of
these preparations in the medical and cosmetic industries as preparations to treat or soothe
acne vulgaris [84].
Life 2022, 12, 422 8 of 11

7. Conclusions
Acne is a skin disease with an inflammatory background. Using antibiotics or
isotretinoin has a negative effect on the intestinal flora. Patients with severe acne are
frequently treated with oral isotretinoin (13-cis-retinoic acid), often with dramatic results.
Isotretinoin is an ideal medication based on its mechanisms of action, which include a
reduction in sebum production, the inhibition of comedo formation, and modulation of the
inflammatory response; a course of therapy may lead to prolonged remission even in the
most severe cases. Unfortunately, isotretinoin is associated with a wide array of adverse
effects, and only practitioners who are experienced with its use should prescribe it. It may
cause arthralgias, stiffness, tendonitis, serum lipid abnormalities, alopecia, photosensitiv-
ity, mucosal and skin dryness, liver function test abnormalities, pancreatitis, depression,
anaemia, and leukopenia. Scientists are constantly looking for new solutions that would
bring good results when it comes to the treatment of acne. Research shows that the use
of probiotics may reduce skin eruptions. The intestinal microbiota is greatly important
in the formation of acne lesions. It is also responsible for the proper immunity of the
organism. Acne is a disease that can be linked to the condition of the digestive tract and
its microbiome. Research shows that the use of probiotics may reduce skin eruptions. The
probiotic supplementation and cosmetics markets are dynamically developing. The use of
internal supplementation and cosmetics with probiotics give hope for the improvement of
the skin condition of people suffering from acne.

Author Contributions: Conceptualisation and methodology, K.C., D.N. and I.D.-U.; formal analysis,
K.C., D.N. and I.D.-U.; writing—original draft preparation, K.C., D.N., I.D.-U., R.S. and B.A.; writing—
review and editing, K.C. and D.N. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of
the manuscript.
Funding: This research received no external funding.
Institutional Review Board Statement: Not applicable.
Informed Consent Statement: Not applicable.
Data Availability Statement: Not applicable.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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