Probiotics: The Newest Trend to Hit Your Beauty Products

(Source: Art by Tanya Leigh Washington)From yogurts to ingestible supplements, you might have heard of probiotics to encourage good digestive health. But now the beneficial bacteria is being highlighted for it's potential skin benefits as well. Thanks to early research that indicates a link between probiotic use and skin treatments for those suffering from acne and rosacea, probiotics are popping up on beauty counters more frequently.

Just as probiotics offer a healthy dose of good bacteria to your gut via substances like yogurt, topical probiotics can also help to reduce inflammation, decrease skin sensitivity and reduce redness, according to some studies from the American Academy of Dermatology. In studies done by Whitney P. Bowe, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Icahn School ofMedicine at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York, topical probiotics have been praised for forming a protective shield or "bacterial interference," which means they protect skin and prevent skin cells from "seeing" bad bacteria or parasites that can cause an immune reaction, aka acne or rosacea.

Topical probiotics are also being praised for their antimicrobial properties, which means they are able to create holes in bad bacteria and attack them. Finally, probiotics are said to have a calming effect. Via the American Academy of Dermatology, Dr. Bowe says they can calm the areas of skin cells that trigger reactions when in contact with bad bacteria that causes inflammation. All in all, probiotics seem to have a promising future in the beauty world. Check out some of the products we spotted on the market that contain the powerful ingredient.

Andalou Naturals Apricot Probiotic Cleansing Milk, $13, at adalou.com
(Source: Whole Foods)This combo of fruit stem cell complex and probiotic microflora claims to calm skin and stimulate cell turnover.

Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Revitalizing Duo, $155, at net-a-porter.com(Source: Aurelia Probiotic Skincare)The British-based skincare brand aims to protect against aging by mediating the body's natural immune response. The eye dew specifically targets firming, dark circles and aids with lymphatic drainage.

TULA Probiotic Skincare Discovery Collection, $49, at qvc.com
(Source: QVC)Created by Dr. Roshini Raj, whom you might recognize from the Today Show and The Dr. Oz Show, TULA is a skincare line fortified with probiotics to nourish and smooth.

Of course, if you really want to put the probiotic trend to the test, you might consider a good old-fashioned yogurt mask. Dr. Raj shared with Yahoo Beauty that yogurt containing live and active cultures can be used as a topical mask. Someone pass the Activia, please!

Let us know what you think of this trend in our poll, below:sdjja