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References

The basis for
what we write

All the scientific information on this site comes from the 28 peer-reviewed publications below. Every link goes to the paper itself or to its PubMed record. Claims about the product, on the other hand, are limited to what is stated on the packaging and the shop page.

Randomised controlled trial · 1

  1. Changes in the diversity of human skin microbiota to cosmetic serum containing prebiotics: results from a randomized controlled trial

    Hong KB, Hong YH, Jung EY, Jo K, Suh HJ · 2020 · Journal of Personalized Medicine 10(3): 91

    A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 60 people. Over 8 weeks, a serum containing a prebiotic (galacto-oligosaccharide) made a significant difference compared with placebo in the skin's water-holding capacity, transepidermal water loss and redness; the diversity of the skin microbiome increased.

Clinical study · 3

  1. Efficacy and safety of a cream containing panthenol, prebiotics, and probiotic lysate for improving sensitive skin symptoms

    Zhang X, Kerob D, Zhang Z et al. · 2024 · Skin Research and Technology 30(1): e13540

    110 people with sensitive facial skin used a cream containing prebiotics twice a day for 28 days. Skin moisture increased, and transepidermal water loss and redness decreased. There was no control group.

  2. Efficacy of a prebiotic skincare regimen on improving mild atopic dermatitis and severe xerosis in diverse ethnically patients

    Dumbuya H, Podimatis K, Kerob D, Draelos ZD · 2024 · Journal of Drugs in Dermatology 23(3, Suppl. 2): s12-s22

    In 140 people with very dry skin, a prebiotic cleanser and moisturiser routine reduced dryness in 4 weeks and improved measurements of the skin's protective layer.

  3. Temperature dependency of skin susceptibility to water and detergents

    Ohlenschlaeger J, Friberg J, Ramsing D, Agner T · 1996 · Acta Dermato-Venereologica 76(4): 274-276

    The same cleanser caused markedly more water loss from the skin when used in water at 40 °C than in water at 20 °C.

Consensus statement · 1

  1. The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) consensus statement on the definition and scope of prebiotics

    Gibson GR, Hutkins R, Sanders ME et al. · 2017 · Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology 14(8): 491-502

    The current definition of a prebiotic: a substance selectively used by the body's microorganisms that brings a health benefit. The statement notes that use is not limited to taking it by mouth and can also include applying it to the skin.

Review · 17

  1. Cosmetic interventions for skin microbiome modulation: current strategies and future directions

    Taléns-Visconti R, Diez-Sales O, Nácher A · 2026 · Skin Research and Technology 32(4): e70352

    Notes that early clinical results for cosmetics containing prebiotics are promising, but that the studies are small and differ from one another in design.

  2. Prebiotic oligosaccharides in skin health: benefits, mechanisms, and cosmetic applications

    Zeng M, Li Y, Cheng J, Wang J, Liu Q · 2025 · Antioxidants 14(6): 754

    Brings together laboratory and clinical studies on the effects of prebiotic oligosaccharides applied to the skin: increasing moisture, supporting the beneficial species living on the skin and reducing irritation.

  3. Review of the microbiome in skin aging and the effect of a topical prebiotic containing thermal spring water

    Woolery-Lloyd H, Andriessen A, Day D et al. · 2023 · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 22(1): 96-102

    A panel of dermatologists reviewed early studies on the effects of prebiotics applied to the skin, such as increased moisture and fewer fine lines, and stressed that the evidence is still at an early stage.

  4. Functional role of probiotics and prebiotics on skin health and disease

    Lolou V, Panayiotidis MI · 2019 · Fermentation 5(2): 41

    Brings together laboratory and clinical studies on the role of prebiotics in skin health.

  5. The human skin microbiome

    Byrd AL, Belkaid Y, Segre JA · 2018 · Nature Reviews Microbiology 16(3): 143-155

    Explains that the skin is both a physical barrier and a home for microorganisms, and that the two influence each other.

  6. The role of cutaneous microbiota harmony in maintaining a functional skin barrier

    Baldwin HE, Bhatia ND, Friedman A, Eng RM, Seité S · 2017 · Journal of Drugs in Dermatology 16(1): 12-18

    Brings together evidence that how well the skin barrier works is linked to the diversity of the community of microorganisms on its surface.

  7. The role of microbiota, and probiotics and prebiotics in skin health

    Maguire M, Maguire G · 2017 · Archives of Dermatological Research 309(6): 411-421

    Summarises the evidence on the role of the skin microbiome, prebiotics and probiotics in skin health.

  8. Oily skin: A review of treatment options

    Endly DC, Miller RA · 2017 · Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology 10(8): 49-55

    Assesses the causes of oily skin and the care options for it.

  9. The effect of environmental humidity and temperature on skin barrier function and dermatitis

    Engebretsen KA, Johansen JD, Kezic S, Linneberg A, Thyssen JP · 2016 · Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology 30(2): 223-249

    Brings together evidence that low humidity and cold weather weaken barrier function and leave the skin more prone to irritation.

  10. Impact of prebiotics and probiotics on skin health

    Al-Ghazzewi FH, Tester RF · 2014 · Beneficial Microbes 5(2): 99-107

    Brings together evidence that prebiotics can be applied directly to the skin in cosmetic products and can selectively support the beneficial species living on the skin.

  11. Insights into shaving and its impact on skin

    Cowley K, Vanoosthuyze K · 2012 · British Journal of Dermatology 166 (Suppl. 1): 6-12

    Looks at how shaving takes some of the skin's uppermost layer along with the hair and can make the skin more sensitive.

  12. The skin microbiome

    Grice EA, Segre JA · 2011 · Nature Reviews Microbiology 9(4): 244-253

    The key review describing how the community of microorganisms living on the skin's surface changes from area to area (oily, moist, dry).

  13. Pre- and probiotics for human skin

    Krutmann J · 2009 · Journal of Dermatological Science 54(1): 1-5

    One of the first comprehensive assessments of the use of prebiotics and probiotics in skincare.

  14. Prä- und probiotische Kosmetik

    Simmering R, Breves R · 2009 · Der Hautarzt 60(10): 809-814

    Assesses how prebiotic and probiotic cosmetics work and where they are used.

  15. Moisturization and skin barrier function

    Rawlings AV, Harding CR · 2004 · Dermatologic Therapy 17 (Suppl. 1): 43-48

    Explains how the water, natural moisturising factors and fats in the skin's upper layer relate to barrier function.

  16. Cleansing without compromise: the impact of cleansers on the skin barrier and the technology of mild cleansing

    Ananthapadmanabhan KP, Moore DJ, Subramanyan K, Misra M, Meyer F · 2004 · Dermatologic Therapy 17 (Suppl. 1): 16-25

    Explains how harsh cleansers damage the fats and proteins in the skin's upper layer, leading to dryness and tightness.

  17. Role of topical emollients and moisturizers in the treatment of dry skin barrier disorders

    Lodén M · 2003 · American Journal of Clinical Dermatology 4(11): 771-788

    Explains the role of moisturisers in breaking the dry-skin cycle, and how humectant ingredients hydrate the skin's upper layer.

Laboratory study · 3

  1. Prebiotic effect of galacto-oligosaccharides on the skin microbiota and determination of their diffusion properties

    Petrov A, Ćorović M, Milivojević A et al. · 2022 · International Journal of Cosmetic Science 44(3): 309-319

    5% galacto-oligosaccharide, even inside cream and gel formulas, supported S. epidermidis, which lives naturally on the skin, and held back S. aureus.

  2. Prebiotic colloidal oat supports the growth of cutaneous commensal bacteria including S. epidermidis and enhances the production of lactic acid

    Liu-Walsh F, Tierney NK, Hauschild J et al. · 2021 · Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology 14: 73-82

    Oat with a prebiotic effect increased the growth of beneficial species living on the skin and their production of lactic acid. Lactic acid also rose on dry skin after 6 weeks of using a lotion.

  3. Prebiotic cosmetics: an alternative to antibacterial products

    Bockmühl D, Jassoy C, Nieveler S, Scholtyssek R, Wadle A, Waldmann-Laue M · 2007 · International Journal of Cosmetic Science 29(1): 63-64

    One of the first studies to describe the prebiotic approach in cosmetics. Selected plant ingredients were shown to support the beneficial species living on the skin while holding back unwanted ones.

Basic science · 3

  1. Commensal Staphylococcus epidermidis contributes to skin barrier homeostasis by generating protective ceramides

    Zheng Y, Hunt RL, Villaruz AE et al. · 2022 · Cell Host & Microbe 30(3): 301-313

    Showed in mouse models that a bacterium living naturally on the skin helps produce ceramide, the barrier's main fat.

  2. Modulation of lipid fluidity likely contributes to the fructose/xylitol-induced acceleration of epidermal permeability barrier recovery

    Umino Y, Ipponjima S, Denda M · 2019 · Archives of Dermatological Research 311(4): 317-324

    Xylitol, a sugar alcohol with prebiotic properties, was shown to speed up barrier recovery in human skin damaged with tape.

  3. Epidermal lipids, barrier function, and desquamation

    Elias PM · 1983 · Journal of Investigative Dermatology 80 (Suppl.): 44s-49s

    The foundational study on how the outermost layer of the skin works: the fats between the cells keep the skin's moisture in.