Innovative Skin Biome Technology Demonstrates Effectiveness in Anti-Aging

Some strains of skin-specific bacterial species, such as cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes), have been proven more beneficial to skin health and aesthetics than previously believed, a recent study shows.¹

Photo: Artur/Adobe Stock

When incorporated into a daily skincare regimen, strain XYCM42, a subspecies of C. acnes known as defendens, can "support a healthy environment as it maintained normal physio-logic pH and TEWL ranges, increased skin hydration levels, reduced erythema, increased elasticity, and an apparent reduction of surface sebum on both the forehead and nose regions,” the study says.

Previous studies have demonstrated that microorganisms in the skin play a role in the overall cutaneous immune system, and the skin’s microbial state could be the cause of certain skin diseases.²

Researchers from Crown Aesthetics, a company of Crown Laboratories, conducted multipleweeks-long studies to examine the efficacy and effectiveness of the use of defendens in routine skincare as part of a nearly 10-year effort. The results were initially published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology in November and used to launch a skin biome line called BIOJUVE in January.

Researchers conducted an in vitro study and multiple clinical studies.

During the in vitro study, researchers swabbed, isolated and cultured defendens strains from human skin. Human skin biopsies were also cultured, as well as human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) which were isolated and cultured.

Researchers then conducted an 8-week study across 4 locations nationwide: Los Angeles, California; Harrison, New York; Dallas, Texas; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Study participants were women between the ages of 18 and 70 years of age (n=121). Participants discontinued their individual use of skincare products and medications prior to the commencement of the study.

Each day, participants utilized routines of prebiotic cleanser, activator, moisturizer and XYCM42 ferment-based serum in the morning or live gel in the evening.

Throughout the course of the study, researchers utilized imaging, clinical grading and a multi-parameter skin analysis system to account for factors such as:

• Elasticity
• Hydration
• PH
• Pigmentation
• Sebum
• Texture
• Tone
• Wrinkling

Improvements were visible in as early as one week of participant use. 

Of the participants, 108 fully completed participation in the study. None of the participants exited the study due to adverse effects.In the duration of the study, 0 incidents of significant adverse effects were reported.

Following the conclusion of the 8-week study, 32 of the initial participants took part in an 8-week efficacy evaluation in Dallas.

“The most significant improvements observed were skin texture, evenness of skin tone, under-eye dark circles and puffiness, laxity, pigmentation, and wrinkles,” the study says. “Subjects showed dramatic and unexpected levels of wrinkle and texture improvements within a relatively short, two-month use period.”

At its conclusion, study participants were asked to use a Likert-scale survey to report benefits and findings from their involvement. The 90th percentile of participants responded positively in terms of satisfaction with skin texture, tone, appearance and feel.

References

1. Rhee MS, Alqam ML, Jones BC, Phadungpojna S, Day D, Hitchcock TM. Characterization of a live cutibacterium acnes subspecies defendens strain xycm42 and clinical assessment as a topical regimen for general skin health and cosmesis. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. November 2022. doi:10.1111/jocd.15510
2. Byrd AL, Belkaid Y, Segre JA. The human skin microbiome. Nature Reviews Microbiology. 2018;16(3):143-155. doi:10.1038/nrmicro.2017.157