SynthesisDermatology and therapy2026
Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Postbiotics for Acne Vulgaris: A Systematic Review.
Synthesis in Dermatology and therapy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT07539129 (A Randomized Controlled Trial Investigating the Efficacy of Oral Probiotics Versus Placebo in Pakistani Patients With Moderate Acne on Acne Lesion Count and Systemic Inflammation), which is not on this map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
A Randomized Controlled Trial Investigating the Efficacy of Oral Probiotics Versus Placebo in Pakistani Patients With Moderate Acne on Acne Lesion Count and Systemic Inflammation (Interleukin-6) Levels
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Skin Microbiome in Health and Disease: Dysbiosis and the Emerging Role of Biotics in Therapy and Protection.International journal of molecular sciences · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionMicrobiome-modulating therapies including prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics have been increasingly investigated as adjuncts or alternatives for managing acne vulgaris through effects on the gut-skin axis, inflammation, and barrier function. The objective of this systematic review is to characterize the safety and efficacy of oral and topical prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics in managing acne vulgaris.
methodsWe conducted a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)-guided systematic review of randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and case-control studies evaluating oral and topical prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics for acne vulgaris from inception to August 2025 in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane. Inclusion criteria comprised clinical studies reporting on safety and/or efficacy of topical and/or oral prebiotic, probiotic, and postbiotic therapy in patients with acne vulgaris.
resultsIn total, 33 studies evaluating 2112 total patients were included, with treatment durations of 4-25 weeks; 5 prebiotic, 24 probiotic, and 7 postbiotic studies were included, with 2 studies comparing prebiotics and probiotics and 1 study comparing prebiotics and postbiotics against each other. Safety was favorable across all modalities with no serious adverse events reported. Pooled mean total lesion reductions were -37.2% for prebiotics, -45.2% for probiotics, and -49.5% for postbiotics, versus -37% for controls.
conclusionsPrebiotic, probiotic, and postbiotic therapies appear to be safe and associated with clinically meaningful lesion reductions in acne. They may increase tolerability and add additional efficacy to standard acne treatments including topical and oral antibiotics and retinoids. Probiotics currently have the strongest evidence base, while prebiotics and postbiotics are promising adjuncts. Larger, standardized randomized trials are needed to clarify comparative efficacy, optimal formulations, and durability.
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Registered trials
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