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The impact of environmental factors on skin health is a compelling area of study, and understanding these regional influences can offer valuable insights for personalised skin care practices.
Current research:
A recent study dives deep into the skin's microbial world, unravelling regional variations in facial microbiome and metabolites (Tao, Rong, et al 2023).
The study examines variations in bacterial and fungal communities, as well as skin metabolites, among 71 individuals from diverse climates in Northern, Southern, Northwestern China.
The study found that regions with distinct climates such as temperate monsoon (North), subtropical monsoon (South), and temperate continental monsoon (Northwest), show significant differences in bacterial, fungal communities, and skin metabolites.
Notably, the Northwest exhibits a unique skin profile with higher ceramides, lower eicosanoids, and reduced total lipids, suggesting a potential boost to the skin barrier. This unique profile correlated with a diminished presence of Malassezia, suggesting a complex interplay between lipids and microbial composition in influencing skin health.
The North, characterised by a warm climate, displayed higher bacterial diversity and elevated levels of Malassezia. Staphylococcus, and Cutibacterium were also prevalent in the North, particularly with an increased abundance of Staphylococcus epidermidis.
Fungal diversity peaked in the Northwest, marked by elevated Cladosporium, Candida, and Aspergillus, and reduced M. globosa.
Increased bacterial diversity in the warm North and elevated fungal diversity in the Northwest highlight climate-associated shifts in skin microorganisms.
Industry Impact & Potential:
Understanding climate-associated shifts in skin microorganisms offers insights crucial for skincare industries. The study above underscores the nuanced relationship between environmental factors and skin health, shedding light on personalised skin care practices. Companies can leverage this knowledge to develop climate-specific skincare solutions tailored to individual needs.
Further research could explore the underlying mechanisms of these variations and investigate how the facial microbiome and metabolite compositions change dynamically over time. Conducting more comprehensive studies that consider physiological parameters and diverse demographics would provide valuable insights.
Our Solution:
Sequential stands at the forefront of skincare innovation, ready to help you incorporate cutting-edge research findings into your product. By aligning with the latest insights on facial microbiome and skin health, we can help brands come up with personalised skincare solutions that adapt to diverse climates, providing optimal care for your unique skin.
References:
Tao R, Li T, Wang Y, Wang R, Li R, Bianchi P, Duplan H, Zhang Y, Li H, Wang R. The facial microbiome and metabolome across different geographic regions. Microbiol Spectr. 2024 Jan 11;12(1):e0324823. doi: 10.1128/spectrum.03248-23. Epub 2023 Dec 8. PMID: 38063390; PMCID: PMC10783011.
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