Skin Microbiome as Years Go By

The skin microbial communities, i.e., the microbiota, play a major role in skin barrier function so must remain dynamic to adapt to the changes in the niche environment that occur across the different body sites throughout the human lifespan. This review provides an overview of the major alterations occurring in the skin microbiome (microbial and genomic components) during the various stages of life, beginning with its establishment in the first weeks of life through to what is known about the microbiome in older populations. Studies that have helped identify the factors that most influence skin microbiome function, structure, and composition during the various life stages are highlighted, and how alterations affecting the delicate balance of the microbiota communities may contribute to variations in normal physiology and lead to skin disease is discussed. This review underlines the importance of improving our understanding of the skin microbiome in populations of all ages to gain insights into the pathophysiology of skin diseases and to allow better monitoring and targeted treatment of more vulnerable populations.