Is Silver an Effective Treatment for the Skin Microbiome?

Silver is widely recognised for its antimicrobial properties, but its precise effects on the skin microbiome remain an emerging area of research. Recent studies suggest that silver could offer both opportunities and challenges in treating skin-related conditions.

What We Know:

• Silver is commonly incorporated into products such as gels, dressings and textiles in forms like nanoparticles, silver oxynitrate and colloidal silver (Silva, Teixeira & Reis, 2023).

• Silver nanoparticles exhibit strong antibacterial activity, particularly against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus - key skin microbiome components that can form biofilms. These biofilms make bacterial infections harder to treat and more resistant to antibiotics, positioning silver as a promising alternative (Swolana & Wojtyczka, 2022).

• The antimicrobial mechanism of silver nanoparticles involves disrupting bacterial cell membranes, generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and interfering with bacterial DNA and proteins. Their effectiveness depends on factors like particle size, shape and concentration (Swolana & Wojtyczka, 2022).

• Additionally, silver-based gels show increased antimicrobial action with higher concentrations. They are particularly effective against Gram-negative bacteria and have the potential to alter microbial composition while maintaining physicochemical stability, making them viable options for skin infection treatments (Silva, Teixeira & Reis, 2023).

Industry Impact and Potential:

• Recent research into silver-threaded clothing revealed that while silver increased microbial diversity and enriched certain low-abundance bacterial taxa, it did not reduce overall microbial biomass. Instead, it altered the skin’s chemical profile, notably increasing monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and driving site- and gender-specific changes in the microbial composition (Melnik et al., 2023).

• This indicates silver’s potential to modulate the skin microbiome in targeted ways. However, questions remain about its long-term effects, particularly its impact on microbiome stability and beneficial microbes. Future research could optimise concentrations and delivery mechanisms to maximize therapeutic benefits while minimizing unintended consequences (Melnik et al., 2023).

• While silver’s antimicrobial properties are promising, its broader effects on skin health require deeper investigation​ (Swolana & Wojtyczka, 2022).

Our Solution:

Sequential is leading the way in microbiome research, leveraging a database of 20,000 microbiome samples, 4,000 ingredients and a global network of 10,000 testing participants. Our customisable solutions span microbiome studies and product formulation, with a strong emphasis on preserving biome integrity. Whether exploring the skin, scalp, oral or vulvar microbiome, we are your trusted partner in advancing science and innovation.

References:

Melnik, A.V., Callewaert, C., Dorrestein, K., Broadhead, R., Minich, J.J., Ernst, M., Humphrey, G., Ackermann, G., Gathercole, R., Aksenov, A.A., Knight, R. & Dorrestein, P.C. (2023) The Molecular Effect of Wearing Silver-Threaded Clothing on the Human Skin. mSystems. 8 (1), e0092222. doi:10.1128/msystems.00922-22.

Silva, J.M., Teixeira, A.B. & Reis, A.C. (2023) Silver-based gels for oral and skin infections: antimicrobial effect and physicochemical stability. Future Microbiology. 18, 985–996. doi:10.2217/fmb-2023-0034.

Swolana, D. & Wojtyczka, R.D. (2022) Activity of Silver Nanoparticles against Staphylococcus spp. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 23 (8), 4298. doi:10.3390/ijms23084298.