On the 8th of June 2019 Dr Tiina Meder will be speaking at the Microbiome and the Skin panel of the FACE Conference.

Her presentation is on the possibilities of changing the skin microbiome to promote healthy flora through the introduction of topical prebiotics and probiotics.

Newly developed research methods have allowed us to identify the skin’s microbiome, which describes the collective genome of microorganisms harboured by a human body. Microbiome is a very complex and diverse interaction among various microorganisms, including interspecies relations between viruses, fungi, bacteria and parasites. The skin is an ecosystem, a live biological complex of various microorganisms actively interacting with tissue cells.

Microorganisms are identified by means of genome analysis based on sequence analysis of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. This has revealed that most of skin microflora belongs to one of the four phyla: Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria.

Knowing that the skin’s functions are largely performed by a complex of mutually-active cells and a live biological conglomerate of microorganisms, we are faced with a necessity to reconsider our treatment of many skin diseases. We may be able to correct the skin’s condition (such as psoriasis, acne, atopic dermatitis) by changing the microbiome and actively restoring the balance of microorganisms, which make up the skin’s healthy flora.

Agents that can affect the microbiome are probiotics and prebiotics. Probiotics are cultures of live microorganisms found in healthy microbiome. Prebiotics are various agents that can serve as a nutrient medium for commensal and symbiotic microbes, increasing their growth and promoting successful colonisation. For the purpose of this article, only topical application of prebiotics and probiotics will be explored.

The development of microbiome-friendly skincare is an emerging area and has only just begun, however topical application of prebiotics and probiotics has demonstrated favourable preliminary results.

Today, prebiotic and probiotic-based cosmetic ingredients are found in professional and home-use cosmetic solutions. Skincare with probiotic and prebiotics were previously offered to care for sensitive or damaged skin; however, numerous studies have shown that prebiotic and probiotic therapy can be universal and generally beneficial for the skin, and even provide an antiaging effect.

Meder Beauty Science has had prebiotics in skincare and treatments since 2013.