Skin care advances every day as science advances. We now have a bigger and deeper understanding about what's good for our skin and what's bad, and how to protect the skin from aging and other issues. And where conventional methods of fighting skin problems such as acne fail, we come to discover new approaches that give people a chance at obtaining the glowing, clear skin that we all dream of (well, at least I do). And today, we look into something that is not getting its due attention, which is lactoferrin. In this article, I will share with you all about lactoferrin and how it can benefit your skin.
What is Lactoferrin?
Lactoferrin is an endogenous protein named by many scientists as the “miraculous molecule” due to its protective effect. It is produced in many regions of our bodies, mostly where our bodies need defense, we would find that there is lactoferrin. It is also found in most of the mammals' milk, in concentrations that vary according to the lactation period.
Lactoferrin is found in a supplement form that people take in order to benefit from the antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiviral properties of lactoferrin. Lactoferrin might also promote gut health and suppress unwanted organisms such as H. pylori, which is another reason why people take it as a supplement.
Lactoferrin and Skin
Multiple studies have looked into the effect of lactoferrin on skin. And it turns out that lactoferrin can benefit our skin in many ways.
For example, in a study that was conducted in May 2024, in which researchers applied lactoferrin locally to a recombinant human epidermal model, the results were that lactoferrin showed the following:
Anti-inflammatory effect: lactoferrin suppressed interleukin, which is an inflammatory response mediator.
Lactoferrin concentrations of 1.5 mg/mL increased skin hydration and moisturized the skin.
Lactoferrin might improve skin barrier function and enhance intercellular connectivity, a function that might be useful for those with damaged skin barrier.
It might increase the synthesis of hyaluronic acid, which again increases skin moisture and enhances the lubricating and repairing functions of the skin.
A different study found that lactoferrin might also help with some skin conditions, such as psoriasis. Oral lactoferrin also shows promising effects by increasing moisture and skin texture during winter.
Lactoferrin for Skin Wound Healing
Wound healing is a very complex process that involves a lot of variables. Inflammation is necessary for skin wound healing, but if the inflammation lasts longer than it should, it gives a negative effect and leads to delayed or no healing.
Lactoferrin promotes the initial inflammation that aids in the process of wound healing; it also has anti-inflammatory activity that neutralizes the effect of overstimulating the immune system. Lactoferrin also enhances the synthesis of collagen and hyaluronan.
Lactoferrin for Psoriasis
Another application for lactoferrin is for psoriasis.
A study that involved the application of 10% topical lactoferrin on inflicted areas showed improvement in elevating the redness and scaling associated with psoriasis.
Lactoferrin for Acne
You might wonder why we need more treatments for acne; we already have tretinoin, salicylic acid, niacinamide, and more. All are good and effective treatments for acne. But the truth is, effective as they are, they simply do not work with everyone. I am one of the people who struggled (and am actually still struggling) with acne and hyperpigmentation for a long time. I tried most of the known treatments according to my doctor's instructions, and nothing seems to be really working out for me; I mostly get the side effects without much gain. That is why we need more interventions, and this is what lactoferrin offers.
Lactoferrin-enriched Fermented milk improves acne vulgaris by reducing triglycerol levels on the skin, thereby reducing the levels of lipid.
In a study, 43 adolescents and young adults who suffer from acne vulgaris were enrolled in a clinical trial. They were given a lactoferrin supplement. After eight weeks of treatment, the result was a decrease in inflammatory acne lesions without any apparent side effects during the trial. Lactoferrin was well torelated and led to improvement, suggesting that it is a possible treatment for improving mild to moderate acne.
Norelle, who is an experienced Naturopath, says that she finds lactoferrin to be a valuable part of her acne prescriptions, especially severe acne with inflammed cystic lesions. She claims that her clients showed improvement within four weeks.
Where to Find Lactoferrin?
The good thing is that we can find lactoferrin in varying concentrations in different food sources, such as:
Dairy products: cow’s milk, yogurt, and cheese.
Meat and seafood: beef, tuna, salmon, shrimp, and mussels.
Others: legumes, eggs, grains, some fruits, and vegetables.
Of course, there are also lactoferrin supplements. And you can also find it in the form of topical preparations.
The Bottomline
Lactoferrin is an endogenous glycoprotein that has protective effects, and we can find it in many parts of our bodies. Studies on lactoferrin showed that it has a favorable effect on the skin as it improves acne vulgaris, fights inflammation, and increases the synthesis of hyaluronic acid and collagen, which are important for the hydration and elasticity of the skin, respectively. You can take lactoferrin as a supplement or apply it topically; you can also obtain it from various food sources. In short, lactoferrin is a promising product for acne and skin aging.
References and Citations
Kowalczyk, P., Kaczyńska, K., Kleczkowska, P., Bukowska-Ośko, I., Kramkowski, K., & Sulejczak, D. (2022). The lactoferrin phenomenon—A miracle molecule. Molecules, 27 (9), 2941. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27092941
Xie, T., Qiao, W., Jia, T., & Kaku, K. (2024). Skin care function of lactoferrin was characterized using a recombinant human epidermal model. Cosmetics, 11 (3), 98. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics11030098
Oda, H., Miyakawa, M., Mizuki, M., Misawa, Y., Tsukahara, T., Tanaka, M., Yamauchi, K., Abe, F., & Nomiyama, T. (2019). Effects of lactoferrin on subjective skin conditions in winter: A preliminary, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 12, 875–880. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S228153
TakayamaYoshiharu and AokiReiji. 2012. Roles of lactoferrin on skin wound healing. Biochemistry and Cell Biology. 90(3): 497-503. https://doi.org/10.1139/o11-054
Saraceno, R., Gramiccia, T., Chimenti, S., Valenti, P., Pietropaoli, M., & Bianchi, L. (2014). Topical lactoferrin can improve stable psoriatic plaque. Giornale italiano di dermatologia e venereologia : organo ufficiale, Societa italiana di dermatologia e sifilografia, 149(3), 335–340.
Jungmin Kim, Yeonjeong Ko, Yu-Kyung Park, Nack-In Kim, Woel-Kyu Ha, Yunhi Cho, Dietary effect of lactoferrin-enriched fermented milk on skin surface lipid and clinical improvement of acne vulgaris, Nutrition, Volume 26, Issue 9, 2010, Pages 902-909, ISSN 0899-9007, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2010.05.011.
Mueller, E. A., Trapp, S., Frentzel, A., Kirch, W., & Brantl, V. (2011). Efficacy and tolerability of oral lactoferrin supplementation in mild to moderate acne vulgaris: an exploratory study. Current medical research and opinion, 27(4), 793–797. https://doi.org/10.1185/03007995.2011.557720
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