Seborrheic Keratosis, Gut Health and the Potential Role of Probiotics

Seborrheic keratoses are among the most common benign skin growths, particularly in middle-aged and older adults. They can appear as raised, rough or waxy patches and range in colour from light brown to dark brown, grey or almost black. Although their appearance can sometimes be alarming, seborrheic keratoses are generally harmless and are not contagious. They can develop almost anywhere on the skin except the palms and soles.

The exact cause of seborrheic keratosis is not fully understood. Age and genetics appear to play an important role, as the growths become more common with increasing age and often run in families. Sun exposure may also contribute in some cases, although seborrheic keratoses can develop on areas of skin that are usually covered.

This naturally raises an interesting question: could gut health have any connection with seborrheic keratosis, and could probiotics help?

The Gut-Skin Connection

The idea of a "gut-skin axis" has received increasing scientific interest. The gut microbiome—the vast community of microorganisms living in the digestive tract—interacts with the immune system and may influence processes throughout the body, including inflammation and immune regulation.

The skin also has its own microbiome, made up of bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms that live on its surface. Researchers are increasingly exploring how the gut microbiome, immune system and skin microbiome may interact. This has led to interest in whether supporting a healthy gut microbiome could have benefits for certain inflammatory skin conditions.

However, it is important to distinguish between seborrheic keratosis and seborrheic dermatitis. Despite their similar names, they are very different conditions.

Seborrheic keratosis is a benign growth of skin cells and is primarily associated with factors such as ageing and genetics. There is currently no established evidence that an unhealthy gut microbiome causes seborrheic keratoses, nor is there good evidence that probiotics can make existing seborrheic keratoses disappear.

Seborrheic dermatitis, on the other hand, is an inflammatory skin condition that commonly affects the scalp, face and other areas rich in oil-producing glands. This condition has a much stronger connection with the skin microbiome, particularly interactions involving Malassezia yeast and certain bacteria.

Could Probiotics Still Have a Role?

While probiotics should not be considered a management approaches for seborrheic keratosis, they may have a broader role in supporting digestive and overall wellbeing.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when consumed in adequate amounts, may provide health benefits. Some products also contain prebiotic fibres, which can provide nourishment for beneficial bacteria in the gut. Maintaining a diverse and balanced gut microbiome is an area of ongoing research, particularly in relation to immune function and the gut-skin axis.

There is some preliminary evidence that probiotics may influence certain inflammatory skin conditions. Research into seborrheic dermatitis, for example, has begun to explore whether manipulating the skin microbiome with specific probiotic organisms could improve symptoms. One small 2024 study involving a topical probiotic preparation reported improvements in seborrheic dermatitis symptoms and changes in the skin's microbial community. However, this research involved topical probiotics, not an ordinary oral probiotic supplement, and the study was small.

This distinction is important. Evidence that a particular probiotic might influence seborrheic dermatitis does not mean that taking an oral probiotic will support resilience against or remove seborrheic keratoses.

What About Maxilin?

A product such as Maxilin 20 Billion CFU Vanilla, based on the packaging information provided, contains probiotic strains including Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus helveticus, alongside ingredients such as resistant dextrin and inulin.

These ingredients may be relevant to someone looking to support their general gut microbiome. However, there is currently no clinical evidence to say that this particular formulation can support, support resilience against or remove seborrheic keratoses.

The most responsible way to position a product such as Maxilin is therefore as a potential gut-health supplement, rather than a management approaches for a skin growth. If someone has seborrheic keratoses alongside digestive concerns, supporting overall nutrition and gut health may be a reasonable part of a healthy lifestyle, but it should not replace appropriate dermatological assessment.

The Bottom Line

There is an intriguing and developing relationship between the gut, immune system and skin, but the evidence does not currently establish a direct gut-health cause for seborrheic keratosis. Likewise, there is no strong evidence that oral probiotics can reduce or help reduce these benign skin growths.

For people interested in probiotics, products such as Maxilin may potentially support general digestive and microbiome health, but any benefits should be considered separately from the management of seborrheic keratosis.

Most seborrheic keratoses require no management approaches. However, any new, rapidly changing, bleeding or unusual-looking skin growth should be assessed by a doctor or dermatologist, as some skin cancers can resemble seborrheic keratoses. When removal is desired or medically necessary, established options include cryotherapy and other dermatological procedures.

In short, a healthy gut may be an important part of overall wellbeing, but at present, probiotics should not be promoted as a proven management approaches for seborrheic keratosis. The science surrounding the gut-skin axis is promising, and future research may reveal more about how the microbiome influences skin health—but for now, the potent evidence for seborrheic keratosis points towards age, genetics and other established dermatological factors rather than gut health.

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