Innovation spotlight: A new ex vivo model to unlock the potential of skin microbiome research
Understanding the skin microbiome has become a key priority for cosmetic brands seeking to develop more targeted, effective, and microbiome-friendly products. However, one of the major challenges facing researchers has been the lack of physiologically relevant models capable of reproducing the complexity of the microbial communities naturally present on human skin.
To address this challenge, Eurofins Cosmetics & Personal Care scientists, together with academic and industrial partners, have developed an innovative ex vivo skin model that enables the transfer, preservation, and analysis of donor-specific human skin microbiota on living human skin explants. Unlike conventional in vitro systems that rely on a limited number of microbial strains, this approach maintains the richness and diversity of naturally occurring microbial communities while preserving their original donor signatures.
The study demonstrated that complex microbiota transferred from volunteers remained stable and representative after inoculation onto perfused human skin explants, with no significant alteration of overall microbial diversity. Importantly, the model enables clear differentiation between endogenous skin microbiota and transferred microbial populations, providing a robust and reliable platform for microbiome investigations.
This breakthrough represents a significant step forward for cosmetic R&D. The model opens new opportunities to evaluate the impact of active ingredients, formulations, and skincare routines on the skin microbiome under highly relevant biological conditions. It also provides valuable support for the substantiation of microbiome-related claims and for the development of next-generation skincare innovations.
By bridging the gap between traditional laboratory models and in vivo studies, Eurofins Cosmetics & Personal Care continues to expand its portfolio of advanced testing solutions, helping clients better understand the intricate relationship between skin health and its microbial ecosystem while accelerating innovation in the cosmetics industry.