While most “probiotic” skincare contains inactive extracts, Esse enhances its pioneering serum with a clinically proven upgrade that advances true microbiome therapy.
Global — 23 March 2026 — Esse Skincare, the pioneer of professional microbiome skincare, has announced an upgrade to its Probiotic Serum, reinforcing its leadership in microbiome therapy with a clinically proven formulation designed to target the root causes of accelerated skin ageing.
First introduced in 2015 as the world’s first live probiotic skincare product, Esse’s Probiotic Serum established a new category of microbiome-based skin therapy. The upgraded formulation introduces a fourth live probiotic species, Bacillus coagulans, enhancing the serum’s ability to improve hydration, strengthen barrier function, and regulate inflammation.
Clinical studies1 of the upgraded formulation demonstrated significant improvements in key markers of skin health within 28 days:
- Hydration increased by 35.9%
- Firmness improved by 16.1%
- Elasticity increased by 8.6%
- Wrinkle depth reduced by 14.6%
- Smoothness increased by 17.1%
These changes reflect structural improvements linked to microbiome restoration and barrier repair.
Accelerated skin ageing is driven by chronic inflammation, microbiome imbalance, and barrier dysfunction. Live probiotics address these root causes by interacting immediately and actively with the skin ecosystem to support beneficial microbes, regulating immune signalling, and increasing barrier resilience.2
This distinguishes live probiotics from postbiotic ingredients, which consist of non-living bacterial extracts. While postbiotics provide static compounds, live probiotics actively adapt to skin conditions, producing beneficial metabolites, strengthening barrier function, and improving microbiome balance over time.
The upgraded Probiotic Serum delivers 1 billion CFU/ml of viable bacteria across four species — Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bacillus coagulans.
Together, these organisms work synergistically to improve hydration, regulate inflammation, reduce oxidative stress, and support long-term skin resilience.3–6
Now available in a 15 ml format with a refill option, the upgraded packaging improves accessibility while reducing environmental impact. The refill system lowers material use and waste, supporting more sustainable long-term use with enhanced probiotic viability. This approach reflects Esse’s commitment to making advanced microbiome therapy more accessible to users while aligning with the environmental principles that underpin skin ecosystem health.
The formulation uses a water-free, preservative-free lipid matrix designed to maintain microbial viability until application, allowing the probiotics to activate on contact with skin and provide biological benefits.
As microbiome science continues to reshape understanding of skin health, live probiotic therapy represents a new clinical approach to managing ageing and inflammatory skin conditions.
Esse Probiotic Serum is available exclusively through professional therapists, aesthetic clinics, and medical practitioners.
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