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CLINICAL STUDIES & DOCUMENTATION OF

OUR PROBIOTIC CONCENTRATES

PROBIOTICS IN SKINCARE

Over the past decade, research on the microbiome has transformed our understanding of health and skincare. We now know that the skin harbors trillions of microorganisms that play a fundamental role in the skin's barrier function, immune defense, and aging process.

Research into how probiotics in the gut affect health is relatively well established – but knowledge of how live bacteria work directly on the skin is still in its infancy. It's a young field, and we are in its early stages.

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A COMMON MISCONCEPTION ABOUT PROBIOTICS

A major problem in the industry is the misuse of the term 'probiotics'. In the food industry, there are regulations that require a minimum number of live bacteria for a product to be called probiotic. No such regulations exist at all for skincare.

This means that brands are free to label their products as 'probiotics' even though they actually contain prebiotics (fibers that feed bacteria) or postbiotics (substances produced by bacteria) – but no live bacteria at all. As a consumer, you therefore cannot rely on what is stated on the packaging.

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PROBIOTICS IN SKINCARE

There is also a technical dilemma: live bacteria and water are a problematic combination. In a water-based product, the bacteria start to grow uncontrollably, then compete with each other in an oxygen-deprived environment – and die. True probiotic skincare therefore requires a water-free formulation, cold storage, and careful quality control.

At Skinome, we have chosen the more difficult but honest alternative. Below, we present the clinical studies we have conducted for Probiotic Concentrate and Tribiotic Concentrate, as well as an independent competitive analysis of live bacteria in seven products marketed as probiotics.

OUR CLINICAL STUDIES ON PROBIOTICS IN SKINCARE

PROBIOTIC CONFERENCES

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Aging & Longevity Conference
Berlin, Germany

Double-blind, randomized clinical trial to investigate whether topical application of L. reuteri improves skin microbiome diversity and aging parameters. The microbiome was analyzed with 16S rRNA sequencing and skin properties with Antera 3D Scan. Gillbro J, Skalberg F, Lataste S, Åkerström U. Skinome Research AB; Uppsala University.

Speaker: Johanna Gillbro, Berlin, Germany, 2024.

5th Skin Microbiome and Cosmeceutical Congress: Europe
Rotterdam, Netherlands

Results from several studies investigating the effects of conventional skincare products compared to preservative-free, microbiome-supporting products – as well as the effect of live microorganisms on the skin. Gillbro J, Skalberg F, Santamaria E, Lataste S, Åkerström U. Skinome Research AB; Uppsala University; Linköping University.

Speaker: Johanna Gillbro, Rotterdam, Netherlands, 2024.

Microbiome & Probiotic R&D and Business Collaboration Forum
Rotterdam, Netherlands

Results and lessons learned from studies and product development of preservative-free, probiotic skincare. Gillbro J, Skalberg F, Santamaria E, Lataste S, Åkerström U. Skinome Research AB; Uppsala University; Linköping University.

Speaker: Johanna Gillbro, Rotterdam, Netherlands, 2023.

Skin Ageing & Challenges
Lisbon, Portugal

The skin microbiome consists of billions of bacteria in symbiosis with human cells. L. reuteri is a probiotic bacterial strain with anti-inflammatory activity in atopic skin. In this double-blind, randomized clinical trial, we investigated whether topical application of L. reuteri improves skin microbiome diversity, aging parameters, and reduces skin irritation.

The presentation also reveals how we managed to formulate an anhydrous skincare product that supports the survival of L. reuteri – and how the bacterium actually survives on human skin. Gillbro J, Skalberg F, Santamaria E, Lataste S, Åkerström U. Skinome Research AB; Uppsala University.

Speaker: Ulf Åkerström, Lisbon, Portugal, 2023.

7th Skin Microbiome and Cosmeceutical Congress: Europe
The Hague, Netherlands

Evaluation of whether topical application of L. reuteri can increase skin microbiome diversity, improve skin aging properties, and reduce irritation.

Speaker: Ulf Åkerström, The Hague, Netherlands, 2022.

5th Microbiome Movement Skin Health & Dermatology
San Diego, USA

Human skin microbiota plays a critical role in skin homeostasis and influences both diseased and healthy skin. A better understanding of the underlying mechanisms can help us make improved products. The present work studied the influence of preservatives on skin health parameters and microbial diversity. Another arm compared formulations with viable Lactobacillus to its placebos. Skin health parameters were analyzed using an Antera 3D skin camera (Miravex Ltd) and microbial diversity using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

The results showed that preservative-free skincare and skincare with viable Lactobacillus increased microbial diversity, together with a significant improvement in skin health parameters after 3 weeks of use. Data provides an important foundation for developing preservative-free probiotic skincare products for skin and microbiota in balance.

Speaker: Johanna Gillbro, San Diego, USA, 2022.