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May 17

Beyond Borders: How Diverse Environments Mold Your Skin's Microbiome

Environment Impact on the Microbiome

Multiple factors are responsible for the makeup of the skin microbiome of an individual, including host genetics, age, hygiene practices, diet, nutrition, lifestyle, topical treatments and the environment. Research suggests that where we live can profoundly influence the microbial composition and overall health of our microbiomes. 


What We Know:



  • Facial skin is impacted by external factors like climate, temperature, humidity, UV exposure and pollution, as it is more exposed to the environment compared to other skin (Proksch, 2008). 


  • Research that investigated the facial microbiome and metabolome across different geographic regions concluded that there were significant alterations in the abundance of multiple microorganisms between individuals (Tao et al., 2024).


  • In a study across various regions in China, those residing in the northwest (in high altitude and dry climate) exhibited lower levels of Malassezia and bacterial diversity, as well as reduced total lipid content. However, they showed elevated levels of ceramides and fatty acids compared to individuals in southern regions (warm and wet climates) (Tao et al., 2024). 


  • Skin bacteria thrive in warm temperatures (33.2–35.0°C) with lipid-dependent organisms like Malassezia and Cutibacterium flourishing in such environments due to increased sebum secretion (Grice & Segre, 2011).


  • Research also demonstrated that subjects living in rural areas exhibited significantly greater intra group variation in microbial community structure compared to urban subjects (Ying et al., 2015).


  • Variations in bacterial populations across regions may be influenced by factors like humidity, UV exposure and temperature fluctuations. Higher humidity levels support greater bacterial diversity, while UV exposure alters the skin microbiome (Tao et al., 2024)


Industry Impact and Potential:


  • By analysing these aspects across geography, we can uncover climate-related influences on skin disorders, enabling tailored skincare recommendations for diverse regions (Tao et al., 2024).


  • Increasing urbanisation correlates with higher levels of potentially pathogenic  bacteria and fungi, which may explain the urban prevalence of skin diseases like acne and atopic dermatitis. This highlights the need for urban-specific skincare, creating opportunities for specialised products and research (McCall et al., 2020).


  • However, further research is necessary to fully elucidate the effects of environmental factors on the microbiome (Tao et al., 2024)



Our Solution:


Exploring environmental influence on the microbiome is a promising avenue for personalised skincare tailored to the individual needs of people globally. With three testing centres in distinct climates (New York, London and Singapore) Sequential offers comprehensive Microbiome Testing and guidance in product development and formulation, providing a toolkit for your company to delve into personalised skincare that considers our uniqueness.


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