Healthy Aging with Probiotics
At BAK Skincare, we set out to help treat skin issues with probiotics. We didn’t see skin aging as an issue to be solved, and hence we’ve focused our energy on alleviating microbiome issues like breakouts, atopic skin, or redness. But when the anecdotal evidence of the anti-aging properties of our probiotic creams started to stack up, we felt obligated to look into it. Whilst aging is normal and inevitable, preventing premature aging is still a worthwhile cause if it can stop someone from feeling anxious or unhappy with their appearance. We believe in healthy aging, and helping people attain skin that they feel good in.
We conducted the first clinical study in 2022, and the study showed clear benefits of using the probiotic creams, across all the measured signs of aging (crow’s feet, skin firmness, elasticity and radiance and more). The following year we conducted a second clinical trial where we compared the probiotic creams to a placebo (same formulation but without probiotics). The results of this latest study confirmed that the anti-aging benefits are indeed due to the probiotics, and not just the oils or butters in the cream. These results of both clinical trials have been published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
The Clinical Study
The clinical study was carried out by an independent entity, whose job it was to investigate the anti-aging potential of a probiotic ointment containing live probiotics (one of our patented strains). The trial was run for 56 days, with measurements being done by a dermatologist on day 0, 28 and 56 of the trial. In total, 23 postmenopausal women between the ages of 40 and 65 years with “normal” or mixed/dry to dry skin-types took part in the study. The women all had signs of skin ageing, such as wrinkles, fine lines, and pigment spots. Needless to say, other anti-aging treatments were not allowed to be used during the study, and the women in the study had not had prior treatments for aging either (like botox, fillers, or Vitamin A treatments). Their sun exposure during the trial was also considered.
The women applied the probiotic ointment twice a day to their face and neck, throughout the trial. At the end of the study’s clinical evaluation, Crow’s feet wrinkles, hyper pigmentation spots, smoothness and complexion radiance, were improved. The Probiotic Ointment improved all measured parameters with statistical significance after 56 days of application, clearly demonstrating the potential of the ointment as an anti-ageing agent.
Clinical Scores:
Skin hydration increased by 50%
Complexion radiance increased by 43%
Skin's smoothness increased by 31%
Crow's feet wrinkles decreased by 23%
Skin firmness increased by 13%
Dermal density increased by 13%
Skin elasticity increased by 7%
Trans-epidermal water loss decreased by 6.5%
Anti-Ageing efficacy in 21 subjects after 56 days.
BAK's Healthy Aging Range
BAK’s new Healthy Aging Moisture Boost cream was formulated based on the ointment used in the study. It contains our live probiotic strain PROBIKARIA, as well as natural oils, known for their hydrating and anti-aging effects: Shea butter, jojoba oil, rapeseed oil, and Vitamin E. The cream can be used morning and evening, or just in the evening, depending on how much hydration your skin needs.
Keeping the skin healthy and preventing premature signs of aging is as much about protection and prevention as it is about repairing. That's why we've also created Healthy Aging Antioxidant Oil, which has 7% Feruloyl Soy Glycerides (Ferulic Acid in an oil-soluble form). Ferulic Acid is a powerful antioxidant, that can help protect the skin from UV irradiation throughout the day. Curious? Read the full blog about antioxidants and how they can protect your skin here.