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Published on: February 17, 2021
The microbiome in human skin aging
Manuel Huerta Arana1, Cornelia Wiegand1, Omid Omrani1
1Department of Dermatology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.
FEBS Letters
|August 15, 2026
Summary
The skin microbiome significantly influences skin aging by regulating key molecular processes like oxidative stress and metabolism. Understanding these microbiome-skin aging interactions is crucial for developing new anti-aging strategies.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology and Microbiology
- Molecular Biology and Aging Research
Background:
- Skin aging is linked to microbiome dysbiosis.
- Key aging hallmarks are regulated by the skin microbiome.
- Oxidative stress and metabolism are central to skin aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current evidence on the skin microbiome's role in molecular aging processes.
- To connect microbiome functions with aging hallmarks.
- To highlight the interplay between metabolism, intercellular communication, and skin aging.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on skin microbiome and aging.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms linking microbiome to aging hallmarks.
- Synthesis of data on oxidative stress, metabolism, and skin aging.
Main Results:
- The skin microbiome critically regulates genomic instability, telomere attrition, proteostasis, epigenetic alterations, and intercellular communication.
- Microbiome dysbiosis exacerbates aging-associated skin conditions.
- Metabolic functions of the microbiome are increasingly recognized as vital in aging.
Conclusions:
- The skin microbiome is a key regulator of molecular skin aging.
- Targeting the skin microbiome offers potential for anti-aging interventions.
- Further research into microbiome-metabolism interactions is needed for skin health.
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