TIA ALKAZAZ*, MAUREEN DANAHER, JENNIFER GOODMAN, MONICA BELTRAN, ERICA BABSON, DURANT SCHOLZ
*Corresponding author
Active Micro Technologies LLC, Lincolnton, NC, United States

Abstract

The microbiome of every individual is as unique and distinct as their fingerprint. The skin microbiome is an accumulation of the microbial communities that inhabit the skin and are key players in host defense. Commensal microflora on our skin is responsible for maintaining skin health through restoring immunity and communication with the lymphatic system.1 The action of indiscriminate microbial destruction, employed by preservatives, often unintentionally alters the thriving ecosystem of the skin microbiome.
The current innovative study investigates variations in the population of microbial species after the topical application of antimicrobial peptides.

INTRODUCTION

Novel research analyzing activity of the histone deacetylase (HDAC) enzyme has concluded that some naturally derived antimicrobials are able to destroy pathogenic bacteria while maintaining commensal microflora on the skin – supporting the balance of the microbiome and promoting overall skin health. HDAC expression was used as an indicator to compare the effects of the skin’s microbiome with traditional biocides versus natural antimicrobials. The application of topical antimicrobials altered levels of HDAC expression and decreased the population of the microbiome. While this research suggested HDAC is channel of communication between microflora and the skin, the messenger of the microbial crosstalk has yet to be determined.

In this study, a more conventional approach was taken to analyze the effects of the population of species in the skin microbiome. The effect of the microbial population present on the skin with the application of three anti ... ...