Lactic acid bacteria are often taken in the form of yogurt-which is becoming a highly stable food type often consumed daily-or medicine. Lactic acid bacteria have a significant industrial value because of the various reports of health improvement effects that they may convey (eg, anti-microbial, improved immunity). This study examined changes in facial skin when middle-aged women (ie, 40~50s) took probiotic and para-probiotic medicines derived from Lactobacillus rhamnosus KCTC 5033. The research subjects were 30 middle-age women who were randomly assigned (10 per group) to consume either: i) probiotics of L. rhamnosus KCTC 5033, ii) bacteria-killing paraprobiotics, or, iii) a control. Each group consumed 1 capsule (1×1010 CFU or more) of assigned treatment on an empty stomach every morning for 12 weeks, and changes in their facial and neck skin before and after consumption were observed. Their skin change, melanin index, erythema index, moisture content, TEWL, skin roughness, and skin surface temperature were measured to identify any potential differences. A survey was also used to investigate respondent’s satisfaction with their skin before and after lactic acid bacteria intake on a 5-point Likert scale. Before and after results demonstrated that melanin index significantly increased in only the control group while moisture content increased significantly in the probiotics and paraprobiotics groups. Also in the probiotics and parabiotics groups, moisture content increased, while skin roughness decreased. Also in the probiotics and parabiotics groups: i) moisture content increased, ii) skin roughness decreased, and iii) no changes (before to after) in erythema index, TEWL or skin surface temperature were observed. The results of probiotics and paraprobiotics on neck skin indicated that the control group experienced a significant increase in melanin index, skin roughness, and TEWL; moisture content increased significantly in the probiotics and paraprobiotics groups, and skin surface temperature increased significantly in only the probiotics group.