Published in the journal Dermatology and Therapy, the study evaluated the impacts of VeMico’s Bifidobacterium breve BB091109 postbiotic formulation (VMK223) composed of defined exopolysaccharide and cell wall polysaccharide fractions in 29 healthy women aged 40–55.
The UK-based team, alongside researchers from universities in London, Spain and Italy, reported supplementation was associated with reductions in wrinkle depth, pore appearance, acne severity and melanin levels, alongside meaningful increases in skin hydration and elasticity.
“What I found most interesting was not a single standalone result, but the consistent improvement observed across multiple independent measures of skin health,” said Jelena Vulevic, CEO and co-founder of VeMico and one of the research authors. “Observed improvements in wrinkle depth, hydration, elasticity, pigmentation and pore appearance all shifted favorably.
“This suggests the intervention influences underlying biological processes relevant to overall skin health and appearance, rather than affecting isolated parameters.”
The improvements were progressive over time, with the most pronounced effects observed between weeks 8 and 12.
Vulevic said the magnitude of wrinkle depth reduction was particularly notable, given these results were achieved with a “relatively low” dose of a postbiotic and without topical application.
She said the research fills a considerable evidence gap in the market.
“Despite the growing interest in beauty-from-within products and postbiotics, surprisingly few published human studies demonstrate improvements in objectively measured skin appearance parameters.”
Gut-skin axis in action
While the present study was not designed to investigate biological mechanisms, Vulevic suggested the intervention worked via the gut-skin axis.
Postbiotics can influence host physiology through enhancement of intestinal barrier integrity and modulation of microbial metabolite production, such as short-chain fatty acids, which may attenuate low-grade systemic inflammation. These signals may in turn influence skin homeostasis, according to the report.
Microbial metabolites and postbiotic components have been reported to influence keratinocyte differentiation, epidermal tight junction integrity, and dermal fibroblast function, which are processes relevant to barrier function, collagen and elastin turnover, as well as skin hydration.
This mechanism theory is supported by previous clinical research has shown that VMK223 supplementation can influence systemic biomarkers related to inflammation and endocrine regulation in healthy middle-aged women.
Improvements in wrinkle depth, hydration, elasticity, and overall skin quality
In the latest single-center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial, 34 participants were randomly allocated to receive either VMK223 (500 mg) supplement or placebo for 12 weeks.
The study period was preceded by a two-week run-in phase, during which participants refrained from consuming probiotic- or prebiotic-containing foods or beverages.
Participants consumed one capsule daily, with compliance monitored through daily questionnaires and counting returned unused capsules at study visits.
Researchers assessed objective skin appearance parameters—pore appearance, melanin levels, acne severity, wrinkle depth, hydration, and elasticity—at baseline and at weeks 4, 8, and 12 using a standardized, non-invasive skin analysis device.
A composite skin quality score integrating pores, melanin, acne, and wrinkles was developed as an exploratory outcome.
Overall, 29 participants completed the study (VMK223: n = 16; placebo: n = 13).
At week 12, the VMK223 group showed greater reductions in wrinkle depth (28.0% vs 4.4%), pore appearance (22.0% vs 8.2%), acne severity (15.9% vs 7.0%), and melanin levels (11.5% vs 0.9%), alongside greater increases in skin hydration (28.3% vs 11.0%), and elasticity (26.8% vs 5.8%).
The composite skin quality score improved by 20.9% in the VMK223 group compared with 5.6% in the placebo group.
A consistent, time-dependent pattern of improvement was observed across all measured skin parameters in the VMK223 group.
“The observed improvements in wrinkle depth, hydration, elasticity, and overall skin quality support the potential of postbiotics as a systemic, adjunctive strategy for enhancing visible skin health,” the report said.
Authors noted limitations of their study including the small sample size and short period of intervention. They noted future studies should incorporate systemic biomarkers, skin barrier assessments, and patient-reported outcomes to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the pathways involved.
Source: Dermatology and Therapy, doi: 10.1007/s13555-026-01754-6, “Oral Postbiotic (VMK223) Supplementation Is Associated with Improved Instrumental Skin Appearance Parameters in Healthy Women Aged 40–55 Years: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.” Authors: Pipino, C. et al.
