This article summarizes research using advanced metabolomics analysis and bacterial DNA
sequencing to understand the complex relationship between skincare products and our skin’s
natural ecosystem.
A study has revealed surprising insights into how everyday skincare products reshape the
delicate ecosystem living on our skin. Using advanced analysis techniques, researchers tracked
both the chemical fingerprint of skin and its microscopic inhabitants, uncovering patterns that
challenge our assumptions about personal care routines.
A Deeper Look at What Lives on Our Skin
Scientists employed mass spectrometry to capture a comprehensive “picture” of skin chemistry,
while simultaneously analyzing bacterial DNA. This combination offered unprecedented insights
into how deodorants, creams, and other products interact with our skin’s natural environment.
Products Linger Longer Than Expected
The research revealed that skincare ingredients persist far longer than previously believed, even
with daily showering:
- Simple ingredients like polyethylene glycols (PEG) compounds remain for about 3-4 days
- More complex molecules such as polypropylene glycol (PPG) can stay on skin for up to two weeks
- Moisturizing compounds typically last about 8-9 days
The Underarm Microbiome: A Tale of Two Genders
The study uncovered remarkable differences in how male and female underarm bacteria respond
to deodorants. Before the study:
Women’s underarms naturally housed about 25% Staphylococcus and 18% Corynebacterium
bacteria, while men showed roughly 27% Staphylococcus and 34% Corynebacterium. When
participants stopped using deodorant, these numbers shifted dramatically – women’s
Staphylococcus nearly doubled to 47%, while men’s Corynebacterium increased to 44%.
Switching to a standard antiperspirant triggered another significant shift, with both bacterial
types decreasing to around 20% in both men and women.
Different Body Parts, Different Responses
The study found that each area of skin responds uniquely to personal care products. Feet showed
particularly dramatic changes when using powder, with significant increases in beneficial
bacteria like Micrococcus and Anaerococcus. In contrast, facial and arm skin maintained more
stable bacterial communities, suggesting these areas might be naturally more resilient to product-
induced changes.
Your Skin’s Personal Chemistry
Perhaps most intriguingly, the research revealed that identical products can affect different
people in vastly different ways. One male participant showed unique patterns in how his natural
skin compounds changed when using antiperspirant, with distinct shifts in steroid levels and
bacterial compositions. These individual variations remained consistent across different
measurement methods, highlighting the importance of considering personal skin chemistry when
choosing skincare products.
This research provides three key insights:
- Product ingredients can persist on skin for up to two weeks, even with regular washing
- Different areas of your skin respond uniquely to products, with some showing dramatic
shifts in bacterial populations - Individual skin chemistry plays a crucial role in how products affect each person
These findings suggest we might need to rethink our approach to skincare, potentially moving
toward more personalized solutions based on individual skin chemistry and bacterial balance.
