WHAT IS SKIN MICROBIOME?

The skin is the largest organ of the human body and acts as a barrier between the external and the internal environment of the body. Healthy skin contains over 1,000 different species of bacteria including large numbers of anerobic bacteria, predominantly Cutibacterium acnes (used to be called Propionibacterium acnes) and to a lesser extent, other species of Cutibacterium, and Peptostreptococcus. Several skin areas differ in composition of microbes based on the characteristics such as oily areas (e.g. forehead), moist areas (e.g. elbow, groin crease, armpits), and dry areas (e.g. palm area beneath the ring and little fingers). Research is emerging on the skin microbiome and its connection with the gut also known as the “gut-skin axis” and its effect on dermatological diseases.

HOW DOES THE GUT-SKIN AXIS WORK?

Healthy skin contains a balanced composition of microbes and human and microbial antimicrobial peptides (AMP). Alteration in gut microbes results in dysbiosis with reduction in mucus layer of the gut and subsequent penetration of the gut microbes through the intestinal barrier with resultant triggering of the immune system. This results in dysbiosis of the skin microbe which triggers skin inflammation and can lead to a variety of skin conditions.

“WHY” IS THIS IMPORTANT FOR YOU?

Several dermatological conditions such as atopic dermatitis, acne, psoriasis, rosacea have been linked to intestinal dysbiosis. Prebiotics have been found to support the balance of harmful and beneficial bacteria on the skin and have been used in managing photoaging. Beneficial dermatological effects from probiotic consumption have been shown on various studies which have proven the gut-skin axis.

REFERENCES:
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/anaerobic-bacteria-history-and-role-in-normal-human-flora?search=SKIN%20MICROBIOME&sectionRank=1&usage_type=default&anchor=H16&source=machineLearning&selectedTitle=1~127&display_rank=1#H16
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9311318/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8955881/