Objective　The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of intake of heat-killed Lactobacillus casei subsp. casei 327（327 strain）on young women's skin conditions.
Methods　A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study was conducted for 60 young women. The volunteers were administered test food containing 50 mg（approximately 1×10¹¹ bacteria）of heat-killed 327 strain or placebo food for 6 weeks. The levels of stratum corneum hydration and transepidermal water loss（TEWL）and score of skin surface texture were measured at the right cheek.
Results　Data of 54 subjects（n＝27 each）were obtained and analyzed. No clear statistically significant differences were observed in both groups. But TEWL of 327 strain intake group showed a lower tendency than that of placebo food group. In analysis subcategory with high level of TEWL, the TEWL of 327 strain intake group（n＝10）was significantly lower than that of placebo food group（n＝14）at 4 weeks.
Conclusions　Intake of 327 strain seems to have a skin dryness inhibiting effect.