Skin Microbiome Research
What research shows about microbes on the skin, their link with eczema and acne, what trials of probiotics found, and why "microbiome-friendly" skincare claims need caution.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Quick answer
Skin carries its own community of bacteria, fungi and viruses. Research describes this community well and links changes in it with skin conditions such as eczema (atopic dermatitis). Whether products that target the skin microbiome improve skin is much less clear.
"Microbiome-friendly" skincare
A 2026 review of cosmetic research found that most conventional cosmetics do not cause major disruption in healthy skin when properly formulated, and that evidence for microbiome-targeted cosmetics is preliminary, limited by small and varied studies and by the lack of standard criteria for "microbiome-friendly" claims. [10] In the United States, cosmetic products and ingredients (other than color additives) do not need FDA premarket approval. [11] Treat "supports your skin microbiome" on a label as a marketing claim unless it is backed by trials on the product. See Gut-Skin Axis Claims and Topical Product Safety.What to avoid
Do not culture, swap or apply microbes at home, and do not stop eczema or acne treatment because of a microbiome claim. Skin that is red, painful, weeping or spreading needs a clinician; see Skin and Hair Safety: When to See a Doctor. For everyday care see Skin Care Basics.Frequently asked questions
What is the skin microbiome?
It is the community of microbes living on skin. Researchers study it by sequencing DNA from skin swabs. [1]
Is the skin microbiome stable?
Largely, over months and years in the people studied, though some sites such as the feet varied more. [3]
Do probiotics treat eczema?
Evidence is mixed. A meta-analysis found lower scores in children, [5] while the NHS says there is no evidence probiotics treat eczema. [7]
Do probiotics help acne?
Not in the pooled trials of Lactobacillus products to date: no significant reduction in lesion counts. [9]
Are "microbiome-friendly" products regulated?
Cosmetics in the US do not need FDA premarket approval, except color additives. [11]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
How to read the evidence labels
Labels used on this page: established, mixed, preclinical (cells/animals only), no good evidence of benefit and marketing claim.
What the skin community looks like
Skin is dry, nutrient-poor and acidic, yet it is colonized by a diverse microbiota. [1] A survey of 20 skin sites in healthy people found that physiologically comparable sites hold similar bacterial communities, and that the complexity and stability of the community depend on the site. [2] Later work following people over months and years found the bacterial, fungal and viral communities largely stable, with foot sites the most variable. [3] Label: established as description.Eczema (atopic dermatitis)
In a study of children with eczema followed through the disease course, flares showed more Staphylococcus aureus in those with more severe disease and more Staphylococcus epidermidis in those with less severe disease. [4] In the same paper, mice colonized with human strains of S. aureus showed strain-specific differences in skin inflammation. [4] The people part is an association; the mouse part is preclinical. Neither shows that changing the bacteria treats eczema.Do probiotics help skin?
Results are mixed and depend on the condition:| Condition | What the reviews found |
|---|---|
| Eczema in children | A 2024 review of 20 trials of probiotics, alone or with prebiotics, found a significant reduction in SCORAD scores in children with eczema and no food allergy. [5] A 2026 umbrella review of 22 meta-analyses reported lower eczema severity in infants but no significant link with allergies or asthma. [6] |
| Eczema, other views | The NHS says there is no evidence to suggest probiotics can help treat eczema. [7] A 2021 expert opinion paper said there is little evidence to support probiotics for treating eczema. [8] |
| Acne | A 2026 meta-analysis of five trials (332 participants) found no significant reduction in lesion counts with Lactobacillus-based probiotics compared with placebo or benzoyl peroxide. [9] |
Label: mixed for eczema, no good evidence of benefit for acne in the trials pooled. Studies differ in product, age group and outcome, so no single strain or product can be recommended from them. For ingredient details see Probiotic Strains and Labels.
References
- Byrd AL, Belkaid Y, Segre JA. The human skin microbiome. Nat Rev Microbiol 2018. PubMed 29332945. Read 2026-10-22.
- Grice EA et al. Topographical and temporal diversity of the human skin microbiome. Science 2009. PubMed 19478181. Read 2026-10-22.
- Oh J et al. Temporal stability of the human skin microbiome. Cell 2016. PubMed 27153496. Read 2026-10-22.
- Byrd AL et al. Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis strain diversity underlying pediatric atopic dermatitis. Sci Transl Med 2017. PubMed 28679656. Read 2026-10-22.
- EAACI task force: systematic review and meta-analysis of nutritional and dietary interventions for skin symptoms in children with atopic dermatitis without food allergy. Allergy 2024. PubMed 38783644. Read 2026-10-22.
- Probiotic supplementation and its impact on atopic dermatitis and related conditions in infants and children: an umbrella review. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2026. PubMed 41762435. Read 2026-10-22.
- NHS, Probiotics. Read 2026-10-22.
- Evidence-based management of eczema: five things that should be done more and five things that should be dropped. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 2021. PubMed 33993140. Read 2026-10-22.
- Lactobacillus-based microbiome therapy for acne vulgaris: a GRADE systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Cosmet Dermatol 2026. PubMed 41853869. Read 2026-10-22.
- Cosmetic interventions for skin microbiome modulation: current strategies and future directions. Skin Res Technol 2026. PubMed 41988834. Read 2026-10-22.
- US FDA, FDA Authority Over Cosmetics. Read 2026-10-22.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.