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Cited by 5Acne and Rosacea Treatments and EffectsProbiotics and Fermented FoodsDermatology and Skin Diseases

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The Impact of Probiotics on Acne Vulgaris: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

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Mohamed, Marwa, Ullah, Ahsan, Hassan, Rosi, Hamza, Maha, Mohamed, Israa, Salam, Muhammed·2025·Cureus
DOI 10.7759/cureus.97010PMC PMC12709052
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Abstract

Acne vulgaris is a multifactorial inflammatory skin disorder influenced by hormonal activity, microbial imbalance, and immune dysregulation. While conventional treatments such as antibiotics and retinoids remain effective, their long-term use is often limited by side effects, resistance, and poor adherence. This meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of probiotics as an adjunct or alternative therapy for acne management. Four randomized controlled trials involving 227 participants were analyzed, showing that probiotic supplementation reduced acne severity scores (OR 0.48; 95% CI 0.29-0.79) and non-inflammatory lesion counts (mean difference (MD) -4.62; 95% CI -8.10 to -1.15) compared with controls. A trend toward improvement in inflammatory lesions was observed (MD -2.03; 95% CI -5.46 to 1.41) but was not statistically significant. Heterogeneity across studies ranged from moderate to high, reflecting variation in probiotic strains, formulations, and treatment durations. While these findings suggest a potential benefit of probiotics, the limited number and quality of trials warrant cautious interpretation. Larger, standardized clinical studies are needed to confirm efficacy and identify optimal probiotic regimens for acne management.

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Figure 1 PRISMA flowchart PRISMA, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.
Figure 1 PRISMA flowchart PRISMA, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 2 Cochrane Risk of Bias tool Refs. [19-22].
Figure 2 Cochrane Risk of Bias tool Refs. [19-22].CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 3 Forest plot for persistent acne (severity index) Refs. [19-21].
Figure 3 Forest plot for persistent acne (severity index) Refs. [19-21].CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 4 Forest plot for non-inflammatory lesion count Refs. [19,21,22].
Figure 4 Forest plot for non-inflammatory lesion count Refs. [19,21,22].CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 5 Forest plot for impact on inflammatory lesions Refs. [19,21,22].
Figure 5 Forest plot for impact on inflammatory lesions Refs. [19,21,22].CC BY · PubMed Central

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References 24 · Cited by 5

Research works printed but not linked: 26

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Metadata

Authors
Mohamed, M., Ullah, A., Hassan, R., Hamza, M., Mohamed, I., & Salam, M.
Affiliations
  • Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
  • Texas State University (US)
Corresponding author
Mohamed, Marwa
ORCID
Mohamed, Marwa
Venue
Cureus
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2025-11-16
Volume
17
Issue
11
Pages
e97010-e97010
ISSN
2168-8184 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.7759/cureus.97010
PMC
PMC12709052
OpenAlex
W4416301738
Cited by
5
References
24
Citations by year
2026: 5
FWCI
0.75
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Cureus (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Acne and Rosacea Treatments and Effects
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Probiotics and Fermented Foods
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Dermatology and Skin Diseases
Keywords
probiotics, acne, acne severity, inflammatory lesions, adjunctive therapy, probiotic supplementation, skin microbiome, immune dysregulation, antibiotic resistance

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CoChat. (2026). Citation check: The Impact of Probiotics on Acne Vulgaris: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. https://app.cochat.ai/papers/10.7759/cureus.97010
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Mohamed, M., Ullah, A., Hassan, R., Hamza, M., Mohamed, I., & Salam, M. (2025). The Impact of Probiotics on Acne Vulgaris: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.97010