630 JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE
a Korean population, such as pigmentation, wrinkles, pores, and sagging pores. The
analysis utilized 16S rRNA profiling and a hierarchical clustering technique, using C
acnes relative abundance and Shannon diversity as classification criteria. The findings led
to defining different microbial profiles between C acnes and younger skin. Four distinct
microbial types were identified: Type C, characterized by high abundance of C acnes with
low skin microbiome diversity Type B, exhibiting a balanced microbial composition with
relatively lower levels of C acnes and high skin microbiome diversity Type CB, representing
a mixture of Types C and B and Type O, displaying an independent pattern. Interestingly,
Type C showed more pronounced aging parameters, including pigmentation, wrinkles,
pores, and sagging pores. The authors suggest that that although C acnes is commonly
found in younger skin, it may still have aging consequences, while a Type B or balanced
microbiome profile exhibited less severe aging characteristics. Another study aimed to
classify the phylogenetic clades of C acnes associated with older skin.16 It found that a
specific clade, C acnes C, which consisted of genomes primarily belonging to phylotype
IA1 clonal complex 4, was significantly more abundant in older skin, indicating that
certain C acnes strains might be responsible for a more pronounced aging phenotype. C
acnes phylotype IA1 has previously been found to be enriched in subjects with acne and
has been found capable of inducing inflammation.16 It would be interesting to see further
refinement of these observations, to see if it is the balance of C acnes and skin microbiome
populations or specific strains influencing older skin phenotypes in younger skin.
Nevertheless, further investigation into the resolution within these distinct microbiome
patterns is needed to gain deeper insight into the aging pathways influenced by the skin
microbiome.
While significant progress has been made in understanding the relationship between the
skin microbiome and aging, there are still limitations that need to be addressed. Future
directions should incorporate a multi-omics approach. The combination of microbiome
profiling, higher strain resolution, age-normalization, and clinical measurements is necessary
to gain deeper understanding into the complex interplay within the skin microbiome.
While the scientific community has gained interesting microbial signatures of aging, aging
skin microbiome research can be further refined to understand the mechanism of skin
microbiome aging. Through exploring the connections between microbial observations and
various skin measurements associated with aging, we can gain deeper insights into the
intricate relationship between the skin microbiome and the aging process.
REFERENCES
(1) Proksch E, Brandner JM, Jensen JM. The skin: an indispensable barrier. Experimental dermatology.
2008 17(12):1063–1072.
(2) Zhu Y, Yu X, Cheng G. Human skin bacterial microbiota homeostasis: A delicate balance between
health and disease. mLife. 2023 2(2). doi:10.1002/mlf2.12064
(3) Gilbert, Jack A, et al. Current understanding of the human microbiome. Nature Medicine. 2018 24(4):392–
400. doi:10.1038/nm.4517
(4) Staley JT, Konopka A. Measurement of in situ activities of nonphotosynthetic microorganisms in
aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Annual Review of Microbiology. 1985 39:321–346. doi:10.1146/annurev.
mi.39.100185.001541
(5) Shibagaki N, Suda W, Clavaud C, et al. Aging-related changes in the diversity of women’s skin microbiomes
associated with oral bacteria. Scientific Reports. 2017 7(1):10567. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-10834-9
a Korean population, such as pigmentation, wrinkles, pores, and sagging pores. The
analysis utilized 16S rRNA profiling and a hierarchical clustering technique, using C
acnes relative abundance and Shannon diversity as classification criteria. The findings led
to defining different microbial profiles between C acnes and younger skin. Four distinct
microbial types were identified: Type C, characterized by high abundance of C acnes with
low skin microbiome diversity Type B, exhibiting a balanced microbial composition with
relatively lower levels of C acnes and high skin microbiome diversity Type CB, representing
a mixture of Types C and B and Type O, displaying an independent pattern. Interestingly,
Type C showed more pronounced aging parameters, including pigmentation, wrinkles,
pores, and sagging pores. The authors suggest that that although C acnes is commonly
found in younger skin, it may still have aging consequences, while a Type B or balanced
microbiome profile exhibited less severe aging characteristics. Another study aimed to
classify the phylogenetic clades of C acnes associated with older skin.16 It found that a
specific clade, C acnes C, which consisted of genomes primarily belonging to phylotype
IA1 clonal complex 4, was significantly more abundant in older skin, indicating that
certain C acnes strains might be responsible for a more pronounced aging phenotype. C
acnes phylotype IA1 has previously been found to be enriched in subjects with acne and
has been found capable of inducing inflammation.16 It would be interesting to see further
refinement of these observations, to see if it is the balance of C acnes and skin microbiome
populations or specific strains influencing older skin phenotypes in younger skin.
Nevertheless, further investigation into the resolution within these distinct microbiome
patterns is needed to gain deeper insight into the aging pathways influenced by the skin
microbiome.
While significant progress has been made in understanding the relationship between the
skin microbiome and aging, there are still limitations that need to be addressed. Future
directions should incorporate a multi-omics approach. The combination of microbiome
profiling, higher strain resolution, age-normalization, and clinical measurements is necessary
to gain deeper understanding into the complex interplay within the skin microbiome.
While the scientific community has gained interesting microbial signatures of aging, aging
skin microbiome research can be further refined to understand the mechanism of skin
microbiome aging. Through exploring the connections between microbial observations and
various skin measurements associated with aging, we can gain deeper insights into the
intricate relationship between the skin microbiome and the aging process.
REFERENCES
(1) Proksch E, Brandner JM, Jensen JM. The skin: an indispensable barrier. Experimental dermatology.
2008 17(12):1063–1072.
(2) Zhu Y, Yu X, Cheng G. Human skin bacterial microbiota homeostasis: A delicate balance between
health and disease. mLife. 2023 2(2). doi:10.1002/mlf2.12064
(3) Gilbert, Jack A, et al. Current understanding of the human microbiome. Nature Medicine. 2018 24(4):392–
400. doi:10.1038/nm.4517
(4) Staley JT, Konopka A. Measurement of in situ activities of nonphotosynthetic microorganisms in
aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Annual Review of Microbiology. 1985 39:321–346. doi:10.1146/annurev.
mi.39.100185.001541
(5) Shibagaki N, Suda W, Clavaud C, et al. Aging-related changes in the diversity of women’s skin microbiomes
associated with oral bacteria. Scientific Reports. 2017 7(1):10567. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-10834-9
