New Clinical Data Links Postbiotic L. sakei to Skin Elasticity and Hydration Improvements

A new clinical trial suggests that the postbiotic strain Latilactobacillus sakei KABP-065 (marketed as L. sakei proBio65) from Kaneka Probiotics and AB-BIOTICS may be a tool for supporting skin structural integrity in middle-aged women, a March 24 press release from the companies explain.¹ The strain is derived from pickled vegetables consumed frequently in East Asia. With its effect on the gut-brain-skin axis, the postbiotic is positioned as an effective solution for beauty-from-within applications.

Study Design and Methodology

Published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved 50 healthy women aged 30–50 who reported concerns regarding facial skin dryness but did not have any diagnosable dermatological conditions.² While previous research on this strain focused on therapeutic applications for atopic dermatitis, this study represents the first successful evaluation of the strain’s efficacy in a healthy population.

Participants consumed either a placebo or 1x10¹⁰ cells per day of heat-treated L. sakei KABP-065 over an eight-week period. The postbiotic’s effect was measured on the skin of the cheeks at baseline, 5 weeks, and 8 weeks. To ensure clinical rigor, researchers utilized validated dermatological assessments, including:

• Cutometer readings for elasticity
• Stratum corneum water content for surface hydration
• Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) to measure barrier function

Gastrointestinal and mental symptoms were also measured.

Key Findings: Effects on Participants in their 40s

After five weeks of daily oral supplementation, the postbiotic group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in facial skin elasticity and firmness compared to the placebo group. While the results were positive across the broader cohort, a sub-analysis revealed that the most pronounced benefits occurred in women in their 40s.

In this subgroup, the postbiotic was linked to statistically significant improvements in three distinct elasticity parameters: skin recovery rate, net elasticity, and firmness. Notably, the improvements in recovery rate and firmness remained significant through the end of the eight-week trial. Furthermore, these participants saw a significant increase in skin moisture retention after five weeks, a trend that persisted at the eight-week mark.

No gastrointestinal disturbances were reported during the study.

The Mechanism: The Gut-Immune-Skin Axis

According to Jordi Riera, Chief Business Officer at Kaneka Probiotics, the strain is believed to function via the gut-immune-skin axis. By modulating specific immune responses, the postbiotic appears to influence the systemic factors that dictate skin barrier function and structural resilience.

“These findings highlight the potential of L. sakei KABP® -065, marketed as L. sakei proBio65, to support women navigating age-related skin changes through oral supplementation,” Riera explains. “Previous research has demonstrated this strain's efficacy in atopic dermatitis, where it works via the gut-immune-skin axis to modulate specific immune responses affecting skin barrier function. In healthy individuals with normal immune function, we would expect more subtle effects. So, it’s deeply encouraging that researchers observed significant improvements in skin elasticity and, in participants in their 40s, skin moisture.”

According to the study, the gut-brain-skin axis is gut microbiota, neuroendocrine system, and immune system, with research pointing to the potential support of these mechanisms through postbiotics.

For formulators, the transition from a live probiotic to a heat-treated postbiotic offers significant logistical advantages. “As a heat-treated postbiotic, the strain also offers stability advantages for formulators, making it an attractive ingredient to unlock opportunities in the growing beauty-from-within market,” explains Jordi Espadaler-Mazo, Director of Innovation at AB-BIOTICS. “These are very promising results from an exploratory study, and we're excited to continue driving the science forward with larger trials—diving deeper into this strain’s potential in healthy skin aging, and pioneering products that support the gut-brain-skin axis.”

This article was created with assistance from AI. The content has been reviewed and edited by Erin McEvoy, Associate Editor. For more information on the extent and nature of AI usage, please contact us.

References

1. Kaneka Probiotics, AB-BIOTICS. New clinical trial demonstrates postbiotic Latilactobacillus sakei KABP® -065 offered by KANEKA PROBIOTICS and AB-BIOTICS promotes facial skin elasticity in healthy middle-aged women. Press release provided via email March 24, 2026.
2. Sawashita J, Honda S, Tominaga Y, Tomatsu N, Espadaler-Mazo J, Ueda T. Novel Application of Oral Postbiotics for Skin Condition in Healthy Middle-Aged Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Study. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2025;24(12):e70617, doi:10.1111/jocd.70617