Barrier Blues: What is the Role of the Skin Microbiome in Skin Barrier Disruption?

The skin barrier is a vital defence, protecting the body from environmental threats and maintaining overall skin health. Emerging research highlights the intricate relationship between the skin barrier and its microbiome, offering promising insights into innovative treatments for skin conditions.

What We Know:

• Key microbes in the skin microbiome, such as Cutibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Malassezia species and Corynebacterium species, play essential roles in enhancing skin barrier function. These microbes help protect the skin by outcompeting harmful pathogens, producing antimicrobial peptides and regulating immune responses to prevent excessive inflammation. For instance, C. acnes produces short-chain fatty acids that strengthen the barrier, while S. epidermidis inhibits pathogenic bacteria like S. aureus, which is associated with atopic dermatitis. Additionally, Malassezia and Corynebacterium species contribute to immune modulation and the overall balance of the skin’s ecosystem (Harris-Tryon & Grice, 2022).

• Ultimately, when this delicate balance is disrupted - due to environmental stressors, harsh topical products or antibiotics - the barrier weakens. This can lead to dryness, sensitivity and potentially chronic skin conditions like eczema or acne (Harris-Tryon & Grice, 2022).

Industry Impact and Potential:

• The growing demand for skincare products focused on barrier repair while preserving microbiome integrity has driven the development of probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics in formulations designed to restore microbial balance and support the skin barrier (Harris-Tryon & Grice, 2022).

• @Esse Skincare has pioneered microbiome-focused skincare products, using postbiotics, prebiotics and organic biotechnology to restore the skin’s microbial balance and strengthen its barrier. In 2015, they launched the world’s first live probiotic skincare product and have continued to innovate products that primarily tend to the skin microbiome. 

• Advanced technologies, such as metagenomic profiling, enable personalised solutions tailored to individual microbiome compositions, optimising skin health. Bacteriotherapy and engineered microbes show promise for outcompeting pathogens and enhancing barrier function. Additionally, emerging diagnostic tools can detect microbiome imbalances, paving the way for targeted interventions and bespoke treatments to maintain and restore skin health (Harris-Tryon & Grice, 2022).

Our Solution:

With a database of 20,000 microbiome samples and 4,000 ingredients, plus a global network of 10,000 testing participants, Sequential provides customisable solutions for microbiome studies and product formulation. Our commitment to developing products that maintain microbiome integrity make us an ideal partner investigating the skin, scalp, oral and vulvar microbiomes.

References:

Harris-Tryon, T.A. & Grice, E.A. (2022) Microbiota and maintenance of skin barrier function. Science (New York, N.Y.). 376 (6596), 940–945. doi:10.1126/science.abo0693.