Advancing the benefits of probiotics in skincare

The positive effects of probiotics in gut health are well known, but could these benefits translate to skincare? A platform technology by a University of Manchester spin-out company is delivering on this promise.

From healthy gut to improved skin

In gut health, probiotics help strengthen barriers, heal wounds, and prevent pathogens from invading the stomach. The result is the commercialisation and increased recognition of probiotic products that promise a healthier gut. Could the same benefits apply to skin health? 

Together, University of Manchester Professor of Translational Dermatology Cath O’Neill and Professor of Microbiology Andrew McBain set about developing probiotic extracts, known as lysates, which could work in creams, gels and lotions to target three skin healthcare sectors: cosmetics, infection control and eczema.  

The resulting extracts of probiotic bacteria in skin models have been shown to increase the skin’s barrier integrity, allowing it to better retain moisture, protect the skin from infection, and increase the rate of healing in response to injury.

SkinBioTherapeutics

Delivering on the findings of these research breakthroughs is the 2016 Manchester spin-out SkinBioTherapeutics. The life science company targets five specific skin healthcare sectors: cosmetics skincare; food supplements for the treatment of skin conditions; medical skincare; infection control in both the home and hospital environment; and pharmaceuticals for the prescribed treatment of skin conditions. 

SkinBiotix, the company’s proprietary platform technology, is based on Professors O’Neill and McBain’s research on the activities of lysates derived from probiotic bacteria when applied to skin.  

Lysates, extracts of probiotic bacteria, have been shown to increase the skin’s barrier integrity by enhancing the formation of multi-protein complexes called ‘tight junctions’. Tight junctions seal the space between neighbouring gut cells to prevent the passage of toxins, molecules and ions. Lysates also protect the skin from infection by outcompeting harmful pathogens and increase the skin’s rate of healing. 

SkinBioTherapeutics has successfully shown that SkinBiotix can improve the barrier effect of skin models, improve repair and reduce bacterial load. This breakthrough paves the way for multiple applications across both the health skincare and cosmetic industries. 

From lab to commercialisation

Part of SkinBioTherapeutics’s strategy was to license out its programmes at an early stage to bigger companies with the specialisms and expertise to commercialise them. It debuted on the London Stock Market in April 2017, raising £4.5 million on the Alternative Investment Market. 

Since listing, the company has agreed a deal to licence the product at scale, completed a human study design, and been granted patents in Australia, Russia and New Zealand. Recently, SkinBioTherapeutics announced a Commercial and Manufacturing Agreement with speciality chemical company, Croda Plc – the first commercial deal involving the SkinBiotix™ technology.    

 In 2021, the company developed a probiotic food supplement to address the symptoms associated with psoriasis – a chronic inflammatory condition of the skin. A successful consumer study recorded significant improvements in the skin condition of over two-thirds of the participants who completed it.