SKIN MICROBIOME 43
The skin microbiota: all about food
n Patrick Gonry – Gobiotics Ingredients, The Netherlands
One of the major functions of the skin; protecting the body against the environment, is performed thanks to the symbiosis between the human skin cells and the microbial layer.3, 4
Abstract The human skin is
contributing to this symbiosis by delivering food to the skin microbiota. The major foods delivered by the skin to the skin microbiota are: l Corneocytes, which are a source of protein (mainly keratin)
l Sweat which is a source of water, minerals and lactic acid
l Sebum which is a source of triglycerides, free fatty acids and squalene
l Skin lipids which are a rich source of triglycerides, cholesterol, ceramides and free fatty acids.
This food supply is the garbage of the skin. By fermenting these skin waste products, the skin microbiota keeps the skin clean and beautiful. Our skin microbiota is well experienced in fermenting the food coming out of the skin. In this way resident members of the skin microbiota such as Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, Corynebacteria and Cutibacteria eliminate passively possible invading microorganisms, by taking away this food from them.5 Some members of the resident skin
microbiota support the skin even further. Staphylococcus epidermidis transforms this skin’s waste into powerful anti-microbial peptides such as epidermin, Pep5 and epilancin, while C. Acnes transforms sebum into propionic acid and thiopeptides that are remarkably efficient in protecting us against fungi.5, 6 When a microorganism wants to survive on a surface, like the skin, it is crucial that it connects itself to that surface. Microorganisms have proteins called adhesins, that they use to connect to corneocytes. Once they are glued to the skin, it becomes an almost impossible task to remove them. In that case the invasion becomes permanent. Even for this threat, the skin microbiota has a tailor-made solution. S epidermis produces cysteine and serine protease. These enzymes destroy the adhesins of pathogenic
September 2019
The skin microbiota is a collection of bacteria, fungi, viruses and microscopic animals that we collected during our lifetime. These microorganisms have become an essential part of the epidermis.1
They protect us against pathogenic invasions. Just like the
human society, the microbiota is meticulously organised. Although most aspects of this ingenious microbial organisation remain hidden to us through a veil of mystery, one aspect is partially revealed: the members of the skin microbiota need food to survive and to thrive. Microorganisms are endlessly resourceful because they possess 15 million genes.2
However, they are powerless without the appropriate food supply. No
food means no gene expression. With DNA sequencing the disturbance of preservatives and mild natural surfactants on the skin microbial community has been clearly mapped. The supporting effect of a specific molecular weight Inulin on the ingenious microbial food supply has been revealed in vivo. Through this mechanism Inulin is a necessary asset for the skin and the skin microbiota to perform all their essential tasks. Inulin is an essential skin care ingredient to keep the skin healthy.
Figure 1: The microbiota food cycle.
invaders such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes, giving them no chance to connect to the healthy skin.1,5 Unfortunately, the skin surface is not a friendly home for microorganisms. They must face extreme frost, devastating dryness from air-conditioned air, scrubs that
act like sandstorms, whole communities are flooded by chlorine swimming pool water and often they face a total genocide from alcohol sanitisers. Nevertheless, in less than 4 hours they miraculously repopulate again the skin surface, as if nothing happened. Their trick is simple. The resident members
PERSONAL CARE ASIA PACIFIC
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