Topical Lactobacilli as a New Microbiome-Based Strategy for Acne Care
The skin is home to a significant portion of our commensal microbiota, even though it is a cool, acidic, and dry environment.
Modulating the Skin Microbiome to Reduce Acne Symptoms
Tailored microbiome modulation approaches, such as those using probiotics, are extremely challenging for this site in the body. Here, we demonstrate through next-generation sequencing that Lactobacillus taxa—especially those known to be dominant in the human vagina—are underestimated members of the skin microbiota. Specific Lactobacillus strains were selected in the lab and formulated in a viable form in an oil-in-water-based topical cream. Topical application to the face by patients with mild-to-moderate acne symptoms reduced inflammatory lesions and comedone formation. This was associated with a temporary modulation of the skin microbiome, including a reduction in the relative abundance of staphylococci and an increase in lactobacilli. Modulation of the skin microbiome through the addition of carefully formulated lactobacilli appears to be a new therapeutic option for reducing antibiotic use in the treatment of common acne symptoms.
Authors: Sarah Lebeer, Eline Oerlemans, Ingmar Claes, Sander Wuyts, Tim Henkens, Irina Spacova, Marianne van den Broek, Ines Tuyaerts, Stijn Wittouck, Ilke De Boeck, Camille N. Allonsius, Filip Kiekens, Julien Lambert
