Survey of chemical substances in consumer products No. 171, 2018
Pro and prebiotic ingredients are well known as dietary supplements, and their definition is based on their use in food / dietary supplements. The common definition of "probiotic" involves the use of living microorganisms with a beneficial proven effect on the host. However, the study showed that living microorganisms are used only to a limited extent in cosmetic products. Nonetheless a number of ingredients produced by microorganisms are referred to as "probiotic". Branch contacts estimate that pro- and prebiotic claimed products are still niche products and the market share is below 1%. In a retailer survey 932 products were included, of which 80 unique products were with pro- and/or prebiotic claims. The products were mainly for facial care and were found in department stores, which primarily led specialty and luxury cosmetics, or at pharmacies. A significantly larger selection was available through internet retailers. Products claimed as pro- and prebiotic are similarly priced as other specialty cosmetic products, and do not differ from other cosmetics with regard to preservation and durability. Typically, the claim as "probiotic", "prebiotic" or the like, appears in the product description printed on the packaging, the internet retailer's product homepage, or is part of the product/brand name printed on the packaging, and most of them relate to general positive health effects in the skin, e.g. to create "better balance" or "moisturizing".