Novel Application of Oral Postbiotics for Skin Condition in Healthy Middle-Aged Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Latilactobacillus sakei KABP-065 derived from pickled vegetables of East Asia can improve skin condition in patients with atopic dermatitis through a mechanism that suppresses immune hyperactivity. Here we investigated whether KABP-065 postbiotics can improve the facial skin condition of healthy middle-aged women. METHODS: Japanese women (n = 60) aged ≥ 30 to < 50 years who met inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to postbiotic or placebo groups. The participants consumed capsules containing either heat-treated KABP-065 (1 × 1010 cells/day) or placebo for 8 weeks. The effect of the postbiotic on skin condition parameters was assessed on the skin of the cheeks before the intervention, and at 5 and 8 weeks after the intervention. Subjective evaluations of skin conditions and mental and gastrointestinal symptoms, as well as safety evaluations, were also conducted. RESULTS: Cheek skin moisture and transepidermal water loss improved for both groups after the intervention. The postbiotic group had significantly improved skin elasticity relative to the placebo group. A stratified analysis of participants in their 40s showed that, compared to the placebo group, the postbiotic group had a greater improvement in skin elasticity and a significantly greater improvement in cheek moisture. No exacerbation of gastrointestinal symptoms was seen with postbiotic supplementation, and the frequency of adverse events was similar between the postbiotic and placebo groups. CONCLUSION: KABP-065 postbiotics could be effective for improving the skin condition of healthy women aged ≥ 30 to < 50 years, especially those in their 40s.