This randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial was conducted on 28 patients with acne vulgaris (age 19–39 years) receiving either 1.0 × 10¹⁰ CFU/day of Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP55 or placebo for 12 weeks.

The results show that CJLP55 supplement improved acne lesion count and grade, decreased sebum triglycerides (TG), and increased hydration and ceramide 2, the major ceramide species that maintains the epidermal lipid barrier for hydration, compared with placebo. In addition, CJLP55 supplement decreased the prevalence of Proteobacteria and increased Firmicutes, which were correlated with decreased TG, the major skin surface lipid of sebum origin. CJLP55 supplement further decreased the Bacteroidetes:Firmicutes ratio, a relevant marker of bacterial dysbiosis. No differences in skin pH, other skin surface lipids or urine bacterial EV phylum were noted between CJLP55 and placebo supplements.

In conclusion, CJLP55 decreased the clinical severity of acne. Therefore, Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP55 may be a potential alternative therapy or may serve as an adjunct to conventional therapies for the treatment of acne vulgaris.

Kim MJ, Kim KP, Choi E, Yim JH, Choi C, Yun HS, Ahn HY, Oh JY, Cho Y. Effects of Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP55 on Clinical Improvement, Skin Condition and Urine Bacterial Extracellular Vesicles in Patients with Acne Vulgaris: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Nutrients. 2021 Apr 19;13(4):1368.

Photo by Alexandru Zdrobău on Unsplash