Skin Microbiota and Holobiont

Harmony, synonymous with health and wellness, represents a captivating discovery defining holistic beauty; skin microbiota and holobiont. Microbiota is a balanced population of symbiotic, pathogenic and commensal microorganisms that share our body. These organisms interact with each other and with human cells. This interaction between the host organism and microbiota (a unique ecosystem composed of bacteria, fungi, yeasts, viruses, phages and mites) is called holobiont. Holobiont health has become one of the important trends for 2022. The Human Microbiome Project, supported by the National Institutes of Health, was launched in 2007. In their first publication in 2019, the project team announced that approximately 24 million bacteria were detected in the oral microbiome and approximately 22 million bacteria in the throat microbiome. Microbiome defines the total microbial genome and according to studies, the microbiota population contains 10 times more microbial cells than human cells and 150 times more genes than the human genome. According to the team's estimates; the total number of genes found in the general human microbiome composed of bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses is approximately 232 million. The term hologenome was introduced in 2007 to define the sum of the host genome and associated microbial genomes, in other words the collective genomes of a holobiont. To understand the interactions between the human body and its microbiome, it is necessary to consider the structure of microbes associated with the host genome at various locations, the central role biology of the host genome, its ecology and health. For this reason, when skin is considered, it is no longer a three-layered system. The microbiome is the fourth layer of the skin and significantly affects the homeostasis and health of the other layers. Imbalance in the microbiota/organism equilibrium creating irregularities in exposure and internal stress on the skin surface causes significant damage by affecting the appearance and protective function of the skin. Imbalance in this ecosystem is associated with; • Inflamed skin conditions, • Barrier function changes, • Dryness, • Flaking, • Skin aging, and even many diseases and conditions such as eczema, acne, rosacea, atopic skin and psoriasis. The microbiota and holobiont of the skin still hold many secrets and bring many innovations and opportunities for the cosmetics sector.   Ceyda Cansev Sales Representative, Black Sea & Med. Region Croda Turkey