Why I Combine Prebiotics and Probiotics in Skincare…
A review of the best evidence guiding intelligent compounding for skin health.
My mission is always to educate and empower my clients with the best available evidence.
A major part of my 2025’s journey has been additional Functional certification and proudly re-formulating the VP skin compounds based on the most robust research, and my experiences in microbiome rebalancing.
I wanted to create a light weight daily application in an elegant glass BPA free container that truly features performance Pre and Probiotics for the skin ….and is suitable for all skin types..
Prebiotics and Probiotics are transforming skincare by promoting a balanced and resilient skin structure and complexion.
2026 will see the further development with the opening of the Gut Skin Clinic.
Pre and Probiotics improve the Skin’s natural barrier function and supports the Skin’s ability to interact intelligently with its environment.
As the scientific literature explodes with evidence on the gut microbiome and its contribution to your overall health, so is the literature now around many other microbial populations. These include:
the Gut Brain axis,
the Gut Heart axis,
the Gut Joint axis,
the Gut Vaginal axis,
the Gut Endometrial axis
the Gut Eye axis
Gut skin axis.
Your skin biome plays a large role in keeping your largest organ disease free and assists the production of anti-inflammatory skin peptides.
You acquire your unique skin microbiome at birth, and, like your gut microbiome, it remains dynamic throughout your life.
During birth, your flora is less diverse and acquires the composition of the site of delivery whether vaginal from mum or by C. section.
Skin colonisation by the "commensal" friendly microbes continues into breastfeeding and even further to finally achieve a healthy balanced population by adulthood.
Your skin biome population is in flux as your lifetime health shifts.
The Gut Skin axis
Studies now show us that intestinal microbiota balance influence dramatically your skin health, demonstrating the existence of a Gut–Skin axis.
Regulating skin health and gut–skin axis interactions, probiotics can be used as potential management tools to improve skin diseases in multiple ways including decreasing oxidative stress, suppressing inflammatory responses, and supporting immune modulation effects. Consider here atopic dermatitis, peri aural dermatitis, psoriasis, rosacea, melasma, acne and hair loss of many presentations.
What do I see clinically
A big component of my clinic work these last 2 years specifically has been helping many patients heal from these chronic skin conditions, taking an inside out approach and supporting with intelligently compounded skin care.
I have personally treated patients who present with long standing and stubborn skin conditions which overtime balance and clear without me touching the skin or applying any of my cosmeceuticals. These improvements occurred primarily by targeting an improvement in microbial diversity at gut level, balancing parasites or dysbiotic bacteria and improving the nutrition and lifestyle habits of the individual.
Some in clinic examples achieved in 2023 /2024 (names and identity withheld)
Probiotics can treat skin diseases
Recent published studies suggest that different probiotics can support different skin diseases ;
Nitrosomonas eutropha and Lactobacillus buchneri can improve skin aging.
Streptococcus thermophiles, Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus salivarius can improve acne.
Vitreoscilla filiformis, Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus johnsonii can improve atopic dermatitis.
Bifidobacteria infantis and Lactobacillus pentosus can improve psoriasias.
Lactiplantibacillus plantarum kefir, Lactobacillus fermentum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae can improve wound healing.
Lactobacillus paracasei can improve dandruff.
Bifidobacterum breve BR03 and Lactobacillus salivarius can improve rosasea.
So what are Prebiotics ?
Prebiotics are the essential fuels for the beneficial bacteria and nourish your gut and your skin’s microbiome. This step is often forgotten in treatment plans and I meet many patients taking probiotics but not fully experiencing the benefits due to this issue of poor fuel.
These specialized ingredients, often composed of complex low glycemic carbohydrates, encourage the growth of good bacteria while reinforcing the skin and the gut mucosal barrier. When added to skincare formulations, prebiotics help maintain a diverse balance within your skin’s unique microbiome, promoting skin recovery and overall quality.
Encapsulated Lactobacillus
A probiotic you will continue to see feature in my skincare range.
Encapsulated Lactobacillus acidophilus represents a major advancement in probiotic skincare. This beneficial bacteria is known for its ability to calm irritated skin and help manage breakouts. The encapsulation process protects the probiotics, preserving their potency and ensuring they remain effective throughout the product’s lifespan.
By supporting the skin’s natural microbiome, Encapsulated Lactobacillus fosters a thriving environment for beneficial bacteria while minimizing the growth of harmful microorganisms. This balance is essential for maintaining skin health, improving hydration, and strengthening the skin’s defenses against environmental stressors. The result ? A calmer, more radiant complexion.
How do I achieve this ‘glow of health’ on my skin and hair ?
One study demonstrated that feeding of probiotic bacteria to aged mice induced changes mimicking peak health and reproductive fitness characteristic of much younger animals.
Eating probiotic yogurt triggered hair follicle shifts resulting in thick lustrous fur due to a bacteria-triggered immune system modulation.
Female animals displayed probiotic-induced hyperacidity coinciding with shinier hair, a feature that also aligns with fertility in human females.
Together this data provides insights into evolution and novel strategies for pre and probiotic rich foods for both skin and hair health.
I urge you to consider a gut microbiome functional testing and rebalance to optimise your skin’s health journey.
My Premium Probiotic Day cream truly is a premium product with its combination of superb performance ingredients and intelligent compounding .
It will be available by Christmas 2025 and can be purchased in my online store.
Victoria Pavasovic CFNMP RN MACN
victoriapavasovic.com gutskinclinic.com.au
Functional and Nutritional Medicine Practitioner
Certified Co-Biome Microbiome Practitioner
Professional Food and Nutritional Coach
Skin + Hair Health + Restoration
Compounded Nutraceuticals