Wrinkles and crow’s feet may be worsened in women by bacteria living on the skin, new research suggests.
Exposure to ultraviolet light and the aging process are known factors that can cause the skin to lose its youthful elasticity.
But now researchers think bacteria may also play a role – as wrinkly women were found to have more types of bacteria on their faces.
Researchers from the Center for Microbiome Innovation at the University of California San Diego and L’Oréal Research and Innovation analyzed 13 studies on the skin condition of 650 female participants between the ages of 18 and 70.
Each study focused on a particular area of interest – such as crow’s feet, wrinkles or water loss – and sampled bacterial species on participants’ faces.
Exposure to ultraviolet light and the aging process are known factors that can cause the skin to lose its youthful elasticity. But now researchers think bacteria may also play a role – as wrinkly women were found to have more types of bacteria on their faces
But the new study looked across the studies to see if there was a link with the types of bacteria we carry on our faces.
The researchers said they found that people with a more diverse microbiome – in other words, many different types of bacteria – had more crow’s feet on their skin, which is “widely recognized as one of the key signs of skin aging,” the researchers said. the research.
But having a more diverse microbiome had a positive effect – as women were also less likely to experience water loss under their skin – and water loss makes skin look saggy.
The authors say that based on their research, it is too early to say whether there is a way to stop crow’s feet or keep skin youthful.
Various bacteria on the face have been linked to more crow’s feet, but also to skin retaining more water – meaning it is less likely to sag
But the study will give researchers clues to better understand how bacteria and other microbes affect our skin
Qian Zheng, Head of Advanced Research, North America at L’Oréal, said: ‘This research is groundbreaking in identifying new microbial biomarkers linked to visible signs of aging, such as crow’s feet wrinkles.
‘It marks an important step towards developing technologies for healthier, more youthful skin.
“We look forward to sharing new results as they become available, expanding the scientific community’s understanding and helping to advance new skincare solutions.”
Previous research has shown that healthy young women have less diverse bacteria on their faces than older women.
One type of bacteria is dominant in young women, called Cutybacteria acnes, which lives in the pores and feeds on sebum – the oil secreted by the skin.
Although normally healthy, the pores can become inflamed when another type of bacteria enters the pore.