Abstract

Objectives: Objectives: 1. Review current understanding of how the skin microbiome changes with age 2. Explore differences between chronological aging and perceived aging 3. Summarise emerging data on the interplay between psychological wellbeing, skin and microbiome Introduction: The skin microbiome colonises follicles and forms the outermost layer of skin, providing protective and nutritional benefits to the skin beneath. As we age, so our skin microbiome changes. The trajectory of this change is highly reproducible across studies and numerous authors have used this data to successfully predict chronological age. However, recent data suggests that chronological age is not the only factor impacting this process and that the physiological changes in premature aging and daily stress may also play contributory roles. Materials / method: Microbiome changes with chronological age and dry skin were conducted using a cohort of 63 Canadian women between 21–65 years (av. 52yrs) and a UK cohort of 102 women, 19–55 yrs (av 38 years). Studies of premature aging were conducted using 65 Chinese women; 40 and 50yrs, divided between age matched groups of premature and delayed agers based on a weighted average score of visible fine lines / wrinkles. Studies into psychological wellbeing involved a cohort of 57 UK subjects (30 women, 27 men; av. 63 yrs), w assessed on facial skin microbiome and daily stress using a perceived stress scale. Results: Consistent changes in the average skin microbiome were observed to correlate with chronological aging, with declines in Cutibacteria and Lactobacillus being mirrored by increases in Acinetobacter and specific anaerobes. Similarly, increases in Acinetobacter were observed to associate with premature aging and a decline in Cutibacteria is associated with elevated psychological stress. Conclusion: The changes in skin microbiome linked to chronological age, premature aging and daily stress suggest a multifactorial relationship between age, skin condition and microbiome and that the skin microbiome is best understood within the context of a range of age and lifestyle factors.