Skin microbiome as a signature of premature ageing: enhancement with a retinyl propionate-containing topical product.

Abstract

The perceived age and actual chronological age of a person can vary widely as a result of age-related features, such as wrinkles or hyperpigmented spots, that affect overall appearance. The perceived age of an individual can differ significantly from their chronological age, depending on environmental or lifestyle factors. While age-related changes of the skin microbiome have been characterized in healthy older and younger adults, the inter-relationship between the skin microbiome and the physiological appearance of ageing remains to be elucidated. To compare the skin microbiome features of healthy adult women of similar chronological age (40-50 years old) exhibiting distinct premature and delayed ageing of the skin. Participants exhibiting premature and delayed skin ageing were defined based on historical VISIA CR® images. Thirty volunteers with signs of premature ageing and 35 with delayed skin ageing were recruited. Participants with premature skin ageing were given a marketed product containing retinyl propionate to use twice daily for 4 weeks. Skin brightness, elasticity, hydration and barrier function were measured at baseline and 4 weeks after product use. Facial skin microbiome samples were collected from participants' upper cheeks using a cup scrub technique. Microbial DNA was extracted and sequenced at the variable region (V1-V2) of the 16S rDNA gene for bacterial classification and analysis. We found significant changes in the skin microbiome between participants with premature skin ageing and those with delayed skin ageing, with an increased abundance of Acinetobacter in those with premature skin ageing. Using network theory to characterize polymicrobial interactions, we found that the microbial community network in skin showing signs of premature ageing was more fragile and less resilient than that of skin showing delayed ageing. Topical use of a marketed skincare product containing retinyl propionate could improve age-related skin physiology in people with premature skin ageing while modulating the microbiome's composition and community structure toward that found in people with delayed skin ageing. Our findings unravel the potential role of the skin microbiome in the appearance of premature skin ageing and lay the foundation for the future development of a microbiome-based antiageing intervention strategy.