Cosmebio explores why moving beyond formulations that are merely non-disruptive to the design of certified, microbiome-friendly cosmetics that significantly enhance microbial diversity is an essential step towards supporting skin resilience and optimizing the health of the entire metaorganism
The human skin hosts one of the most diverse microbiomes in the body, comprising bacteria, fungi, viruses, and archaea.1 Across more than 20 anatomical sites, bacterial density ranges from 102 to 106 CFU/cm2 , with Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes as the dominant phyla.2 Fungal communities are largely composed of Malassezia spp., while viral sequences mostly correspond to bacteriophages targeting Staphylococcus and Cutibacterium species.3
Distinct ecological niches—sebaceous, moist, and dry—offer specific nutrients, humidity, and oxygen levels that shape microbial composition.4 Sebaceous zones are dominated by Cutibacterium acnes (50–80%), moist sites by Corynebacterium and Staphylococcus spp. (40–60%), and dry areas show greater Proteobacterial diversity. Despite inter-individual variability, a core set of species (Cutibaterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii) is consistently present in more than 80% of individuals.5
Commensals contribute to skin homeostasis through short-chain fatty acids, lipases, and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), regulating pH and immune tolerance.6 For example, Staphylococcus epidermidis produces phenol-soluble modulins that suppress pathogens and induce AMP expression.7
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