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Lactobacillus rhamnosus for Acne

D Early Research Only preliminary research exists (lab studies, case reports).

Emerging research links gut dysbiosis to acne via the gut-skin axis. Some early studies suggest L. rhamnosus supplementation may help support clear skin.

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            D

        

        

            
The Bottom Line

            
            
Emerging research links gut dysbiosis to acne via the gut-skin axis. Some early studies suggest L. rhamnosus supplementation may help support clear skin.

            
            
        

    










    

  
Key Study Findings





    

        
        

            

                
                    Other
                
                
                
                
            

            
                Milk Fat Globules: 2024 Updates.
            
            

                
                Dose: None
                
                
                vs: None
                
                
                Outcome: Inflammatory markers
                
                
                Effect: None
                
                
                None
                
            

            
            
Population: None

            
        

        
        

            

                
                    Review
                
                
                
                
            

            
                Approach to probiotics in pediatrics: the role of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG.
            
            

                
                Dose: None
                
                
                vs: None
                
                
                Outcome: Diarrhea, colic, allergy, atopic dermatitis
                
                
                Effect: None
                
                
                None
                
            

            
            
Population: Pediatric patients

            
        

        
        

            

                
                    Randomized Controlled Trial
                
                
                n=90
                
                
                
                Open-label
                
            

            
                Frequency of Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea and Related Complications in Pediatric Patients Who Underwent Hypospadias Repair: a …
            
            

                
                Dose: 2016. G
                
                
                vs: Antibiotics only or antibiotics + placebo
                
                
                Outcome: AAD incidence post-surgery
                
                
                Effect: None
                
                
                pp0.002
                
            

            
            
Population: Boys undergoing hypospadias repair

            
        

        
        

            

                
                    Randomized Controlled Trial
                
                
                
                
            

            
                [Effectiveness and safety of probiotics in children on the basis of clinical trials].
            
            

                
                Dose: None
                
                
                vs: None
                
                
                Outcome: diarrhea
                
                
                Effect: None
                
                
                None
                
            

            
            
Population: None

            
        

        
    







    
    

        
        

            

  
Key Statistics





            


    

        
3

        
Studies

    

    

        
200

        
Participants

    

    

        
            
            ↑
            
        
        
Positive

    

    

        D

        
Grade

    




        


        
        
        

            

  
Referenced Papers





            

                
                

                    

                        
                            Milk Fat Globules: 2024 Updates.
                        
                        
                            
                                Other
                            
                            
                            
                        
                    

                    

                        Newborn (Clarksville, Md.)
                        2024
                        
                        9 citations
                        
                    

                

                
                

                    

                        
                            Approach to probiotics in pediatrics: the role of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG.
                        
                        
                            
                                Review
                            
                            
                            
                        
                    

                    

                        Archivos argentinos de …
                        2022
                        
                        23 citations
                        
                    

                

                
                

                    

                        
                            Frequency of Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea and Related Complications in Pediatric Patients Who Underwent Hypospadias Repair: a Comparative Study Using Probiotics vs …
                        
                        
                            
                                RCT
                            
                            
                            
                        
                    

                    

                        Probiotics and antimicrobial …
                        2018
                        
                        26 citations
                        
                    

                

                
                

                    

                        
                            [Effectiveness and safety of probiotics in children on the basis of clinical trials].
                        
                        
                            
                                Review
                            
                            
                            
                        
                    

                    

                        Medycyna wieku rozwojowego
                        2012
                        
                        1 citations
                        
                    

                

                
            

        

        

        
        
        

            

  
Dosage & Usage





            
mg = milligrams · mcg = micrograms (1,000× smaller) · IU = International Units


            
            

                
Commonly Used Dosages

                

                    
                    

                        
general:

                        
1-10 billion CFU/day

                    

                    
                    

                        
atopicdermatitis:

                        
10 billion CFU/day L. rhamnosus GG

                    

                    
                

                
                

                    Upper limit: Not established; generally well-tolerated at doses up to 100 billion CFU/day
                

                
            

            

            
            

                
Dosages Studied in Research

                

                    

                        
                            

                                Dosage
                                Duration
                                Effect
                                N
                            

                        
                        
                            
                            

                                None
                                --
                                
                                    
                                    Positive
                                    
                                
                                --
                            

                            
                            

                                None
                                --
                                
                                    
                                    Positive
                                    
                                
                                --
                            

                            
                            

                                2016. G
                                --
                                
                                    
                                    Positive
                                    
                                
                                90
                            

                            
                            

                                None
                                --
                                
                                    
                                    Positive
                                    
                                
                                --
                            

                            
                        
                    

                

            

            

            
            

                Best taken: Before or with meals; some studies suggest empty stomach
            

            
        

        

        
        
        

            

  
Safety & Side Effects





            

                
                

                    
Reported Side Effects

                    
    
                        
                        
  • 
                            ⚠
                            Mild gas or bloating (temporary, during initial use)
                        
    • 
                        
                        
  • 
                            ⚠
                            Rare infections in severely immunocompromised individuals
                        
    • 
                        
                    

                

                

                
                

                    
Known Interactions

                    
    
                        
                        
  • 
                            ●
                            Immunosuppressants (theoretical concern — live bacteria)
                        
    • 
                        
                        
  • 
                            ●
                            Antibiotics (may reduce probiotic viability — separate by 2+ hours)
                        
    • 
                        
                    

                

                

                
                

                    

                        Tolerable upper intake: Not established; generally well-tolerated at doses up to 100 billion CFU/day
                    

                

                
            

            

                Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.
            

        

        

        
        
        

            

  
Frequently Asked Questions





            




    
    

        
            Does Lactobacillus rhamnosus help with Acne?
            
        
        

            Based on 3 studies with 200 participants, there is preliminary evidence that needs more research that Lactobacillus rhamnosus may support Acne management. Our evidence grade is D (Very Early Research).
        

    

    
    

        
            How much Lactobacillus rhamnosus should I take for Acne?
            
        
        

            Studies have used various dosages. A commonly studied range is 1-10 billion CFU/day. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.
        

    

    
    

        
            Are there side effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus?
            
        
        

            Reported side effects may include Mild gas or bloating (temporary, during initial use), Rare infections in severely immunocompromised individuals. Most side effects are mild and dose-dependent. Consult your doctor if you experience any adverse reactions.
        

    

    
    

        
            How strong is the evidence for Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Acne?
            
        
        

            We rate the evidence as Grade D (Very Early Research). This rating is based on 3 peer-reviewed studies with 200 total participants. The overall direction of effect is positive.
        

    

    




        

        

        
        
        

            

  




            

                
                
                

                
                

                    
Lactobacillus rhamnosus for other conditions

                    

                        
                        
                            Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
                            B

                        
                        
                    

                

                
            

        

        

    


    
    






  
References

  
    
    
    
  1. 
      [1]
      Akhil Maheshwari et al..
      Newborn (Clarksville).
      2024.
      Milk Fat Globules: 2024 Updates.
      doi:10.5005/jp-journals-11002-0085
      PubMed
    
    2. 
    
    
  2. 
      [2]
      Christian Boggio Marzet et al..
      Arch Argent Pediatr.
      2022.
      Approach to probiotics in pediatrics: the role of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG.
      doi:10.5546/aap.2022.eng.e1
      PubMed
    
    3. 
    
    
  3. 
      [3]
      Ciro Esposito et al..
      Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins.
      2018.
      Frequency of Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea and Related Complications in Pediatric Patients Who Underwent Hypospadias Repair: a Comparative Study Using Probiotics vs …
      doi:10.1007/s12602-017-9324-4
      PubMed
    
    4. 
    
    
  4. 
      [4]
      Ewa Kamińska.
      Med Wieku Rozwoj.
      2012.
      [Effectiveness and safety of probiotics in children on the basis of clinical trials].
      
      PubMed
    
    5. 
    
  















    

        FDA Disclaimer:
        These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products and information on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The evidence grades presented are based on our analysis of published peer-reviewed research and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.