Applications of Synbiotics as Cosmeceuticals

Maintenance of the skin environment is a key factor in topical drug delivery, which might be the prospective goal of various industries of skincare. The advantages of prebiotics and probiotics are being extensively utilized by pharma industry. The combination of prebiotics and probiotics in an optimum concentration leads to formulation of synbiotics. These pharmaceutical products are marketed highlighting the benefits of each component in combination. Synbiotics play an important role in skin microflora which is altered by factors including age, stress, environment, lifestyle, etc. They have the ability to improve, maintain, and repair the skin microbiota. According to studies, synbiotics may aid in the treatment of various skin conditions like psoriasis, photoaging, atopic dermatitis, acne, wound healing. They do so by enhancing the skin immunity, competing with pathogens for nutrients, restoring the skin’s pH, formation of bacteriocins, etc. Different formulations such as gels, lotions, emulsions, spray, powders, creams, and serums are available for the topical administration to treat these skin conditions. These therapies may provide significant benefits to human health when chosen with rationality. This chapter will discuss the skin microflora, mechanism of action of synbiotics in skin-related problems and its role in cosmeceuticals. Also, this content will throw some light on the various marketed products, patents, trends in ongoing research as well as speculation on the future trends.