Novel skin care composition for treating atopic dermatitis

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to the field of skin care. More specifically, the present invention relates to a cosmetic or therapeutic skin care composition comprising at least one Staphylococcus strain that promotes skin health, selected from the group of Staphylococcus epidermidis HAC26 and Staphylococcus warneri HAA333, or a culture supernatant of any of these. The present invention also provides a method for treating or preventing atopic dermatitis and / or acne by applying the skin care composition of the present invention to a skin area in need of treatment. The present invention also relates to the use of the skin care composition of the present invention for treating or preventing atopic dermatitis and / or acne.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the field of skin care. More specifically, the present invention relates to at least one Staphylococcus strain that promotes skin health, selected from the group of Staphylococcus epidermidis HAC26 and Staphylococcus warneri HAA333, or a cosmetic or therapeutic skin care composition comprising a culture supernatant of any of these. The present invention also provides a method for treating or preventing atopic dermatitis and / or acne by applying the skin care composition of the present invention to a skin area in need of treatment. The present invention also relates to the use of the skin care composition of the present invention for treating or preventing atopic dermatitis and / or acne.

[0002] Background of the Invention Atopic dermatitis, also known as atopic eczema or neurodermatitis, is a complex, multifactorial, chronic, relapsing inflammatory condition of the skin. Atopic dermatitis results from the interaction of genetic and environmental factors, as well as immune and skin structural disorders. The incidence of atopic dermatitis has increased dramatically in industrialized countries. Currently, approximately 15-20% of children and 1-3% of adults worldwide suffer from this disease, which represents a significant burden on the healthcare system.

[0003] One of the characteristics of atopic dermatitis is a dysfunction of the skin barrier. An intact skin barrier protects organisms from water loss and prevents the entry of harmful substances such as irritants, allergens, and microorganisms. However, in the extremely dry skin associated with atopic dermatitis, an increase in water loss is observed. In patients with atopic dermatitis, it has been found that during the course of the disease, the skin's permeability barrier becomes leaky, allowing allergens and microorganisms to penetrate and enter the skin, causing infections (Silverberg & Silverberg, 2015).

[0004] The skin's barrier permeability function is mainly in the epidermis. The epidermis of the skin consists of several layers that act as a barrier to prevent water loss and protect the body from foreign substances such as microorganisms and allergens. Filaggrin (filament-aggregating protein, FLG), a protein that binds to keratin fibers of epithelial cells, has been found to play an important role in the skin's barrier function. In the epidermis, the FLG protein binds to other proteins and lipids to form a strong barrier that prevents microorganisms and allergens from penetrating deeper into the skin and minimizes transepidermal water loss (Sandilands et al. 2009). Mutations in the gene encoding this protein have been found to be a major risk factor for atopic dermatitis (Sicherer & Leung, 2009, Ring et al., 2012, Brown & Irvine, 2008, Scharschmidt TC, et al. 2009).

[0005] It is speculated that downregulation of FLG makes the skin more susceptible to immune dysregulation, which further worsens the skin condition and exacerbates atopic dermatitis. The immune dysregulation that occurs in atopic dermatitis is characterized by complex changes including interactions between antigen-presenting cells with IgE, T cell activation, mast cell degranulation, keratinocytes, eosinophils, and a combination of immediate-type and cellular immune responses. Inflammatory dendritic epidermal cells mainly constitute a unique dendritic cell population found mainly in atopic dermatitis and may induce the Th2 / Th1 isotype switch contributing to the chronic phase of atopic dermatitis (Miraglia del Giudice et al. 2006).

[0006] In addition, it has been reported that the microbiome of patients suffering from atopic dermatitis is significantly different from that of healthy subjects. It seems that some of the resident commensal flora are replaced by transient pathogenic species, especially Staphylococcus aureus species. These species can colonize the skin and may contribute to the deterioration of the skin appearance. For example, S. aureus species, when present in excessive amounts, can cause skin dryness, eczema, or seborrheic dermatitis, all of which can promote the onset of atopic dermatitis. In skin already suffering from atopic dermatitis, S. aureus species may significantly contribute to the exacerbation of undesirable symptoms such as skin inflammation and itching.

[0007] Over the past few decades, topical corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors have been the mainstay of atopic dermatitis treatment. Potent corticosteroids are only used in the initial treatment of severe diseases because they promote a decrease in epidermal lipid formation and skin atrophy. On the other hand, calcineurin inhibitors such as pimecrolimus are useful for the recovery of the skin barrier. When bacteria or fungi are over-colonizing the skin, anti-infective ointments are used. When S. aureus is over-colonizing, antibiotics such as fusidic acid are used regularly. However, fusidic acid may cause severe side effects such as liver damage and jaundice. In addition, pathogenic strains have acquired resistance to fusidic acid (Dobie & Gray, 2004).

[0008] From the above, there is a great need for a new treatment approach that does not have the above-mentioned drawbacks. In particular, the new treatment must be highly effective, well-tolerated, difficult to develop resistance, and without side effects. The present invention is based on the finding that a naturally occurring Staphylococcus strain with high antibacterial activity against S. aureus strains can be isolated. Therefore, these strains are particularly useful as active agents for controlling or reducing the number of S. aureus cells on the skin of a subject, preferably a human subject. When the Staphylococcus strains of the present invention are applied to the skin in the form of a skin care composition, they can colonize the skin microbiota and effectively eradicate or reduce the abundance of S. aureus strains.

[0009] Summary of the Invention In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a skin care composition for topical administration to the skin, comprising (a) Staphylococcus epidermidis strain HAC26 deposited with the DSMZ under accession number DSM 34117, and / or (b) Staphylococcus warneri strain HAA333 deposited with the DSMZ under accession number DSM 34118 or a culture supernatant obtained from any of these strains. When the culture supernatant is used, the supernatant is preferably sterile filtered before being added to the skin care composition.

[0010] In one embodiment, the S. epidermidis strain is present in the composition in lyophilized or spray-dried form. The S. epidermidis strain is preferably 10 4 ~10 11 CFU / ml, preferably 10 7 ~10 10It is present in the composition in an amount of CFU / ml. S. epidermidis strains can be present in the composition in an amount of at least 0.5% (w / v) of the skin care composition.

[0011] In another embodiment, S. warneri strains are present in the composition in lyophilized or spray-dried form. S. warneri strains are preferably 10 4 ~10 11 CFU / ml, preferably 10 7 ~10 10 It is present in the composition in an amount of CFU / ml. S. warneri strains can be present in the composition in an amount of at least 0.5% (w / v) of the skin care composition.

[0012] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the skin care composition of the present invention is (a) 10 4 ~10 11 CFU / ml, preferably 10 7 ~10 10 CFU / ml of S. epidermidis strain HAC26, and / or (b) 10 4 ~10 11 CFU / ml, preferably 10 7 ~10 10 CFU / ml of S. warneri strain HAA333 including.

[0013] In the above composition, the two Staphylococcus strains are preferably present at approximately equal concentrations, i.e., concentrations where the difference between them does not exceed 5% (w / v).

[0014] In one embodiment, the skin care composition further comprises one or more additives, and the one or more additives preferably include emollients, fillers, thickeners, solubilizers, antioxidants, preservatives, pH adjusters, binders, buffers, colorants, moisturizers, keratolytic agents, preservatives, plant extracts, essential oils or fragrances.

[0015] The skin care composition is preferably formulated as a gel, cream, ointment or lotion.

[0016] In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method for treating atopic dermatitis and / or eczema in a subject, a method for reducing the number of S. aureus (S. aureus) cells on the skin of a subject, and / or a skin care composition used in a method for treating an infection of the skin of a subject.

[0017] In a third aspect, the present invention relates to the S. epidermidis strain HAC26 deposited with the DSMZ under accession number DSM 34117, or a culture supernatant obtained from said strain, and the S. warneri strain HAA333 deposited with the DSMZ under accession number DSM 34118, or a culture supernatant obtained from said strain.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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[0019] Detailed Description The present invention provides a novel Staphylococcus strain isolated from the natural environment that exhibits significant activity against Staphylococcus aureus strains, particularly S. aureus strains that occur on the skin of patients suffering from atopic dermatitis and acne. In particular, the present invention provides S. epidermidis strain HAC26, which was deposited with the DSMZ on December 14, 2021 and assigned the accession number DSM 34117, and S. warneri strain HAA333, which was deposited with the DSMZ on December 14, 2021 and assigned the accession number DSM 34118. The present invention also relates to the culture supernatant of any of these strains.

[0020] These strains or the culture supernatants obtained from these strains can be used as active ingredients in skin care compositions of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals that are topically applied to the skin having an excessive number of one or more S. aureus strains due to their ability to control and reduce the abundance of S. aureus strains on human skin. The activity of the strains of the present invention is based on the production and secretion of antibacterial compounds having activity against S. aureus strains. Since these antibacterial compounds are secreted into the surrounding medium, it is also possible to use the culture supernatant obtained from the above strains. When used in the present invention, the culture supernatant is a fraction of a cell culture medium used for culturing cells and in which compounds secreted from the cultured cells are accumulated.

[0021] In the context of the present invention, the S. epidermidis strain HAC26 or the S. warneri strain HAA333 is considered to exhibit activity against S. aureus strains when the strain shows activity in the following lawn assay. A culture of the S. epidermidis strain HAC26 or the S. warneri strain HAA333 is prepared and incubated in CASO broth at 37 °C overnight until the OD 600 reaches 8.0. Subsequently, 15 μl of the overnight culture is pipetted onto the lawn plates of each S. aureus strain containing at least 4×10 5 CFU / plate. The S. epidermidis strain is considered to have activity against the S. aureus strain if an inhibition zone appears around the application site after incubation of the plate at 37 °C for 24 hours.

[0022] Accordingly, the present invention provides a skin care composition for topical administration to the skin, comprising (a) Staphylococcus epidermidis strain HAC26 deposited with the DSMZ under accession number DSM 34117, and / or (b) Staphylococcus warneri strain HAA333 deposited with the DSMZ under accession number DSM 34118, and / or (c) a culture supernatant obtained from any of the above strains also provide a skin care composition comprising.

[0023] S. epidermidis strains and / or S. warneri strains may be present in the compositions of the present invention in lyophilized or spray-dried form. This means that viable bacteria have been subjected to a drying process that maintains their viability while minimizing their metabolic processes. In lyophilized or spray-dried form, the bacteria can be stored for months or years. When applied to the skin, such as human skin, the metabolism of the bacteria is reactivated and growth resumes. As this bacterium grows on the skin surface and replaces pathogenic bacterial strains, a diverse and healthy balanced skin microbiome is restored.

[0024] In one embodiment, the S. epidermidis strain and / or the S. warneri strain are present in spray-dried form. The principle of spray drying is based on the dispersion of a solution into fine droplets introduced into a hot air stream. As the solvent evaporates from the substrate droplets, clusters of the dried product remain. Standard spray drying apparatuses such as the Mini Spray Dryer B-290 of Buechi Labortechnik GmbH (Essen, Germany) or the Mobile Minor (trademark) Spray Dryer of GEA (Berlin, Germany) can be used. In another embodiment, the S. epidermidis strain and / or the S. warneri strain are present in freeze-dried or lyophilized form. Freeze-drying or lyophilization is a process that involves freezing the product, reducing the pressure, and applying heat to sublimate the frozen water in the material. Various methods can be applied to freeze the product. For example, freezing can be achieved using a standard freezer or a chilled bath. By cooling the product below its triple point, sublimation is ensured upon heating. Freezing is carried out rapidly to prevent the formation of large crystals that could damage the structure of the product being dried. When the frozen water sublimates, approximately 95% of the water in the product is removed. Most materials can be dried to a residual moisture content of 1 - 5%. Standard freeze-drying apparatuses such as the Lyovac (trademark) apparatus of GEA (Berlin, Germany), the Gamma 2-20 Freeze dryer LCM-1 of Christ (Osterode am Harz, Germany), or the Christ Martin (trademark) Alpha 1-2 Lyophilisator of Fisher Scientific GmbH (Schwerte, Germany) can be used.

[0025] The S. epidermidis strain HAC26 has 1.0×10 4 ~1.0×10 11 colony-forming units (CFU), more preferably 1.0×10 5 ~1.0×10 10CFU / ml, more preferably 1.0×10 7 ~1.0×10 10 CFU / ml or 1.0×10 8 ~1.0×10 9 CFU / ml is preferably present in the composition. For example, S. epidermidis strain HAC26 is at least 1.0×10 5 CFU / ml, preferably at least 1.0×10 6 CFU / ml, more preferably at least 1.0×10 7 CFU / ml, for example at least 1.0×10 8 CFU / ml, at least 1.0×10 9 CFU / ml or at least 1.0×10 10 CFU / ml can be present. S. epidermidis strain HAC26 is at least 1.0×10 10 CFU / ml, 2.0×10 10 CFU / ml, 3.0×10 10 CFU / ml, 4.0×10 10 CFU / ml, 5.0×10 10 CFU / ml, 6.0×10 10 CFU / ml, 7.0×10 10 CFU / ml, 8.0×10 10 CFU / ml or 9.0×10 10 CFU / ml is particularly preferably present.

[0026] In other words, the skin care composition of the present invention contains S. epidermidis strain HAC26 in an amount of at least 0.5% (w / v) based on the total volume of the skin care composition. More preferably, the skin care composition of the present invention contains S. epidermidis strain HAC26 in an amount of at least 0.75% (w / v), at least 1.0% (w / v), at least 1.25% (w / v), at least 1.5% (w / v), at least 1.75% (w / v), at least 2.0% (w / v), at least 2.25% (w / v) or at least 2.5% (w / v) based on the total volume of the skin care composition.

[0027] Similarly, S. warneri strain HAA333 is present in the composition in an amount of 1.0×10 4 ~1.0×10 11 CFU, more preferably 1.0×10 5 ~1.0×10 10 CFU / ml, even more preferably 1.0×10 7 ~1.0×10 10 CFU / ml or 1.0×10 8 ~1.0×10 9 CFU / ml. For example, S. warneri strain HAA333 may be present in the skin care composition in an amount of at least 1.0×10 5 CFU / ml, preferably at least 1.0×10 6 CFU / ml, more preferably at least 1.0×10 7 CFU / ml, for example at least 1.0×10 8 CFU / ml, at least 1.0×10 9 CFU / ml or at least 1.0×10 10 CFU / ml. S. warneri strain HAA333 may be present in the skin care composition in an amount of at least 1.0×10 10 CFU / ml, 2.0×10 10 CFU / ml, 3.0×10 10 CFU / ml, 4.0×10 10 CFU / ml, 5.0×1010 CFU / ml, 6.0×10 10 CFU / ml, 7.0×10 10 CFU / ml, 8.0×10 10 CFU / ml or 9.0×10 10 It is particularly preferred to be present in an amount of CFU / ml.

[0028] In other words, the skin care composition of the present invention contains S. warneri strain HAA333 in an amount of at least 0.5% (w / v) based on the total volume of the skin care composition. More preferably, the skin care composition of the present invention contains S. warneri strain HAA333 in an amount of at least 0.75% (w / v), at least 1.0% (w / v), at least 1.25% (w / v), at least 1.5% (w / v), at least 1.75% (w / v), at least 2.0% (w / v), at least 2.25% (w / v) or at least 2.5% (w / v) based on the total volume of the skin care composition.

[0029] When both S. epidermidis strain HAC26 and S. warneri strain HAA333 are used in combination in the same skin care composition, each of the two strains is preferably 1.0×10 4 ~1.0×10 11 CFU / ml, more preferably 1.0×10 5 ~1.0×10 10 CFU / ml, even more preferably 1.0×10 7 ~1.0×10 10 CFU / ml or 1.0×10 8 ~1.0×10 9 CFU / ml is present in the composition. For example, each of the strains is at least 1.0×10 5 CFU / ml, preferably at least 1.0×10 6 CFU / ml, more preferably at least 1.0×10 7 CFU / ml, for example at least 1.0×10 8 CFU / ml, at least 1.0×10 9CFU / ml or at least 1.0×10 10 CFU / ml can be present in an amount. Each of the strains is at least 1.0×10 of the skin care composition 10 CFU / ml, 2.0×10 10 CFU / ml, 3.0×10 10 CFU / ml, 4.0×10 10 CFU / ml, 5.0×10 10 CFU / ml, 6.0×10 10 CFU / ml, 7.0×10 10 CFU / ml, 8.0×10 10 CFU / ml or 9.0×10 10 CFU / ml is particularly preferably present in an amount.

[0030] In some embodiments, the total amount of lyophilized or spray-dried bacteria in the composition is 1.0×10 4 ~1.0×10 11 CFU / ml, more preferably 1.0×10 5 ~1.0×10 10 CFU / ml, even more preferably 1.0×10 7 ~1.0×10 10 CFU / ml or 1.0×10 8 ~1.0×10 9 CFU / ml. For example, the bacteria, in total, are at least 1.0×10 of the skin care composition 5 CFU / ml, preferably at least 1.0×10 6 CFU / ml, more preferably at least 1.0×10 7 CFU / ml, for example at least 1.0×10 8 CFU / ml, at least 1.0×10 9 CFU / ml or at least 1.0×10 10 CFU / ml can be present in the composition in an amount. The bacteria, in total, are at least 1.0×10 of the skin care composition 10 CFU / ml, 2.0×10 10 CFU / ml, 3.0×10 10 CFU / ml, 4.0×10 10 CFU / ml, 5.0×10 10 CFU / ml, 6.0×1010 CFU / ml, 7.0×10 10 CFU / ml, 8.0×10 10 CFU / ml or 9.0×10 10 It is particularly preferred to be present in the composition in an amount of CFU / ml. A person skilled in the art can easily determine the amount of bacteria in the lyophilized or spray-dried composition.

[0031] When both S. epidermidis strain HAC26 and S. warneri strain HAA333 are used in combination in the same skin care composition, it is particularly preferred that both strains present in the composition are present at approximately equal concentrations, i.e., the difference in cell numbers between them does not exceed 10%.

[0032] In one embodiment, the culture supernatant of one or more cultures of the strains of the present invention is added to the skin care composition of the present invention. Preferably, the culture supernatant is sterile filtered before being added to the skin care composition. For example, the culture supernatant can be sterile filtered by centrifuging an overnight culture at 8000 g for 10 minutes and then filtering the supernatant through a filter with a pore size of 0.2 μm.

[0033] The skin care composition of the present invention is formulated for topical application, which means that the composition is provided in a form in which the consumer can dispense the composition after application to the skin. The skin care composition of the present invention can be formulated as a liquid, ointment, cream, scrub, lotion, paste, gel, hydrogel, foam or powder. However, it is preferred to formulate it as a gel, cream, ointment or lotion. It can be filled into a pump dispenser capable of spraying the liquid onto the skin area to be treated after formulating the skin care composition. The skin care composition of the present invention can also be incorporated into a patch applied to the skin.

[0034] The composition of the present invention may optionally contain one or more additives commonly used in skin care products for cosmetics or pharmaceuticals. Such additives are described in detail, for example, in the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook, 16th ed. (2016). For example, the one or more additives may include skin softeners, keratolytic agents, moisturizers, pH adjusters, thickeners, solubilizers, antioxidants, preservatives, fillers, binders, buffers, colorants, essential oils, pigments, sunscreens, antiseptics, chelating agents, vitamins, panthenol, coenzyme Q10, hyaluronic acid, or any combination thereof.

[0035] For example, the skin care composition of the present invention may contain a skin softener. When used in the present invention, a skin softener is a compound that moisturizes and / or softens the skin. Skin softeners usually penetrate deep into the skin to reduce skin roughness, cracking, and / or inflammation. Skin softeners suitable for the skin care composition of the present invention include, but are not limited to, olive oil, palm oil, soybean oil, sesame oil, rapeseed oil, evening primrose oil, sunflower seed oil, avocado oil, olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil, safflower oil, myristyl lactate, isopropyl myristate, polyethylene glycol, isopropyl palmitate, isopropyl stearate, isobutyl palmitate, isocetyl stearate, or cetyl alcohol. Preferably, the skin softener is present in the skin care composition of the present invention in an amount of 0.05% (w / w) to 10% (w / w), preferably 0.1 to 10.0% (w / w), more preferably 1.0 to 10.0% (w / w) based on the total weight of the composition. In another embodiment, the skin softener is present in the skin care composition of the present invention in an amount of 0.05% (w / w) to 5.0% (w / w), preferably 0.1 to 5.0% (w / w), more preferably 1.0 to 5.0% (w / w) based on the total weight of the composition. The skin care composition of the present invention may contain two or more skin softeners. In this case, the above amounts preferably refer to the total amount of skin softeners in the composition.

[0036] The skin care composition of the present invention may contain a keratolytic compound. The keratolytic compound is a solid that provides a granular texture to the composition. When rubbed on the skin, these compounds remove old skin cells and promote skin regeneration. Examples of keratolytic compounds useful in the composition of the present invention include, but are not limited to, urea, α-hydroxy acids and β-hydroxy acids, and their esters, anhydrides and salts. Suitable hydroxy acids include, for example, urea, glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, mandelic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, 2-hydroxyalkanoic acid, salicylic acid and their derivatives. The use of urea is particularly preferred because urea has an additional water-binding effect and enhances the absorption of other cosmetic ingredients. Preferably, the keratolytic compound is present in the skin care composition of the present invention in an amount of 0.05% (w / w) to 10% (w / w), preferably 0.1 to 10.0% (w / w), more preferably 1.0 to 10.0% (w / w) based on the total weight of the composition. In another embodiment, the keratolytic compound is present in the skin care composition of the present invention in an amount of 0.05% (w / w) to 5.0% (w / w), preferably 0.1 to 5.0% (w / w), more preferably 1.0 to 5.0% (w / w) based on the total weight of the composition. The skin care composition of the present invention may contain two or more keratolytic compounds. In this case, the above amounts preferably refer to the total amount of keratolytic compounds in the composition.

[0037] The skin care composition of the present invention may contain a humectant for improving the water content of the skin. Suitable humectants used in the composition of the present invention include glycerin, polyethylene glycol ethers of glycerin, amino acids such as proline and arginine, sugars and sugar alcohols such as glucose, mannose, trehalose and polyglycerol sorbitol, 1,3-butylene glycol, propylene glycol, diglycerol, glycerol monopropoxylate, glycogen, sodium hyaluronate, sodium polyaspartate, sodium polyglutamate, sorbes 20, sorbes 6, and hydrolyzed hydrogenated starch, but are not limited thereto. Preferably, the humectant is present in the skin care composition of the present invention in an amount of 0.05% (w / w) to 10% (w / w), preferably 0.1 to 10.0% (w / w), more preferably 1.0 to 10.0% (w / w) based on the total weight of the composition. In another embodiment, the humectant is present in the skin care composition of the present invention in an amount of 0.05% (w / w) to 5.0% (w / w), preferably 0.1 to 5.0% (w / w), more preferably 1.0 to 5.0% (w / w) based on the total weight of the composition. The skin care composition of the present invention may contain two or more humectants. In this case, the above amounts preferably refer to the total amount of humectants in the composition.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the skin care composition of the present invention contains a compound that acts as a pH adjuster. Since the composition of the present invention is used for human skin, it usually has a slightly acidic pH so as to be compatible with the acidic environment of the skin. The composition can have a pH in the range of about 2.5 to about 6.5, preferably about 4.0 to about 6.0, more preferably about 5.0 to about 6.0 or about 5.5 to about 6.0. The acidic pH can be achieved by adding an acid, such as a carboxylic acid like an α-hydroxy acid, to the skin care composition of the present invention. The nature of the acid that can be used in the composition of the present invention is not particularly limited. Suitable acids include formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, enanthic acid, caprylic acid, and the like. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the composition contains lactic acid as a pH adjuster. For application to human skin, lactic acid is also secreted by the skin microflora and is particularly useful for forming a protective acidic environment on the human skin surface. Preferably, the pH adjuster is present in the skin care composition of the present invention in an amount of 0.05% (w / w) to 10% (w / w), preferably 0.1 to 10.0% (w / w), more preferably 1.0 to 10.0% (w / w) based on the total weight of the composition. In another embodiment, the pH adjuster is present in the skin care composition of the present invention in an amount of 0.05% (w / w) to 5.0% (w / w), preferably 0.1 to 5.0% (w / w), more preferably 1.0 to 5.0% (w / w) based on the total weight of the composition. The skin care composition of the present invention may contain two or more pH adjusters. In this case, the above amounts preferably refer to the total amount of the pH adjusters in the composition.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the skin care composition of the present invention contains a thickening agent. A thickening agent is a compound that increases the viscosity of a cosmetic or pharmaceutical formulation. A thickening agent is often a polymer that makes the composition more viscous by absorbing water and swelling. Suitable thickening agents for the skin care composition of the present invention include, but are not limited to, bean gum, xanthan gum, gelatin, carnauba wax, stearic acid, C. crispus extract, hydroxypropyl phosphate starch, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the thickening agent is present in the skin care composition of the present invention in an amount of 0.05% (w / w) to 10% (w / w), preferably 0.1 to 10.0% (w / w), more preferably 1.0 to 10.0% (w / w) based on the total weight of the composition. In another embodiment, the thickening agent is present in the skin care composition of the present invention in an amount of 0.05% (w / w) to 5.0% (w / w), preferably 0.1 to 5.0% (w / w), more preferably 1.0 to 5.0% (w / w) based on the total weight of the composition. The skin care composition of the present invention may contain two or more thickening agents. In this case, the above amounts preferably refer to the total amount of thickening agents in the composition.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the skin care composition of the present invention contains a solubilizer. When used in the present invention, the solubilizer is a compound that aids in the solubilization of hydrophobic substances in aqueous and alcoholic formulations. For example, the solubilizer can enable the solubilization of essential oils and other hydrophobic substances, such as vitamins, into an aqueous skin care composition. Suitable solubilizers for the skin care composition of the present invention include pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate, polyglyceryl-4 caprate, polyglyceryl-3 cocoate, polyglyceryl-10 caprylate, and various poloxamers such as poloxamer 188, 234, 235, 238, and 338, but are not limited thereto. Preferably, the solubilizer is present in the skin care composition of the present invention in an amount of 0.05% (w / w) to 10% (w / w), preferably 0.1 to 10.0% (w / w), more preferably 1.0 to 10.0% (w / w) based on the total weight of the composition. In another embodiment, the solubilizer is present in the skin care composition of the present invention in an amount of 0.05% (w / w) to 5.0% (w / w), preferably 0.1 to 5.0% (w / w), more preferably 1.0 to 5.0% (w / w) based on the total weight of the composition. The skin care composition of the present invention may contain two or more solubilizers. In this case, the above amounts preferably refer to the total amount of solubilizers in the composition.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the skin care composition of the present invention contains an antioxidant. These compounds are usually added to cosmetic or pharmaceutical formulations to prevent oxidation reactions catalyzed by oxygen radicals that would otherwise cause degradation of components in the composition such as proteins, sugars and lipids. Antioxidants commonly used in cosmetics include butylated hydroxytoluene, butyl hydroxyanisole, tocopherol, tocopherol acetate, and substances such as polyphenols, flavonoids, flavanols, stilbenes and terpenes derived from plants. Preferably, the antioxidant is present in the skin care composition of the present invention in an amount of 0.05% (w / w) to 10% (w / w), preferably 0.1 to 10.0% (w / w), more preferably 1.0 to 10.0% (w / w) based on the total weight of the composition. In another embodiment, the antioxidant is present in the skin care composition of the present invention in an amount of 0.05% (w / w) to 5.0% (w / w), preferably 0.1 to 5.0% (w / w), more preferably 1.0 to 5.0% (w / w) based on the total weight of the composition. The skin care composition of the present invention may contain two or more antioxidants. In this case, the above amounts preferably refer to the total amount of antioxidants in the composition.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the skin care composition of the present invention contains a preservative. When used in the present invention, a preservative is a compound added to a cosmetic or pharmaceutical formulation to prevent microbial spoilage of the formulation by inhibiting the growth of unintended bacteria and yeasts. Commonly used preservatives in cosmetic formulations include, in particular, benzyl alcohol, ethanol, phenoxyethanol, caprylyl glycol, salicylic acid and sorbic acid. Preferably, the preservative is present in the skin care composition of the present invention in an amount of 0.05% (w / w) to 10% (w / w), preferably 0.1 to 10.0% (w / w), more preferably 1.0 to 10.0% (w / w) based on the total weight of the composition. In another embodiment, the preservative is present in the skin care composition of the present invention in an amount of 0.05% (w / w) to 5.0% (w / w), preferably 0.1 to 5.0% (w / w), more preferably 1.0 to 5.0% (w / w) based on the total weight of the composition. The skin care composition of the present invention may contain two or more preservatives. In this case, the above amounts preferably refer to the total amount of preservatives in the composition.

[0043] When used in the present invention, unless otherwise specified, all percentages are by weight of the skin care composition. All ratios are by weight unless otherwise specified.

[0044] The novel strains of the present invention, as well as culture supernatants obtained from any of these strains, and skin care compositions containing one or more of the strains or their culture supernatants are useful for modulating the skin microbiome, particularly for reducing the number of S. aureus cells on the skin of a subject. Accordingly, the strains, culture supernatants and skin care compositions of the present invention are particularly useful for the treatment of S. aureus skin infections and skin diseases characterized by an excess of S. aureus cells on the skin, such as atopic dermatitis and / or acne.

[0045] Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a S. epidermidis strain HAC26 or S. warneri strain HAA333, or a supernatant obtained from any of these strains, or a combination of these strains or their culture supernatants, or the above-described skin care composition containing one or more of these strains or their culture supernatants, which is used in a method for reducing the number of S. aureus cells on the skin of a subject. The present invention also relates to the use of S. epidermidis strain HAC26 or S. warneri strain HAA333, or a supernatant obtained from any of these strains, or a combination of these strains or their culture supernatants, or the above-described skin care composition, for reducing the number of S. aureus cells on the skin of a subject. The present invention also relates to a method for reducing the number of S. aureus cells on the skin of a subject, comprising administering to the skin of a subject in need thereof S. epidermidis strain HAC26 or S. warneri strain HAA333, or a supernatant obtained from any of these strains, or a combination of these strains or their culture supernatants, or the above-described skin care composition. It is particularly preferred that the subject to be treated is a human.

[0046] In another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the S. epidermidis strain HAC26 or S. warneri strain HAA333, or a culture supernatant obtained from any of these strains, or a combination of these strains or their culture supernatants, or the above-described skin care composition containing one or more of these strains or their culture supernatants, which is used in a method for treating S. aureus skin infections in a subject. The present invention also relates to the use of the S. epidermidis strain HAC26 or S. warneri strain HAA333, or a supernatant obtained from any of these strains, or a combination of these strains or their culture supernatants, or the above-described skin care composition for treating S. aureus skin infections in a subject. The present invention also relates to a method for treating S. aureus skin infections in a subject, comprising administering the S. epidermidis strain HAC26 or S. warneri strain HAA333, or a supernatant obtained from any of these strains, or a combination of these strains or their culture supernatants, or the above-described skin care composition to the skin of a subject in need thereof. It is particularly preferred that the subject to be treated is a human.

[0047] In yet another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to S. epidermidis strain HAC26 or S. warneri strain HAA333, or a supernatant obtained from any of these strains, or a combination of these strains or their culture supernatants, or the above-described skin care composition comprising one or more of these strains or their culture supernatants, which is used in a method for treating atopic dermatitis and / or rosacea in a subject. The present invention also relates to the use of S. epidermidis strain HAC26 or S. warneri strain HAA333, or a supernatant obtained from any of these strains, or a combination of these strains or their culture supernatants, or the above-described skin care composition, for atopic dermatitis and / or rosacea in a subject. The present invention also relates to a method for treating atopic dermatitis and / or rosacea in a subject, which comprises administering S. epidermidis strain HAC26 or S. warneri strain HAA333, or a supernatant obtained from any of these strains, or a combination of these strains or their culture supernatants, or the above-described skin care composition, to the skin of a subject in need thereof. It is particularly preferred that the subject to be treated is a human.

[0048] The skin to be treated may include the skin of the face and body, such as the skin of the neck, chest, back, arms, hands, legs or thighs. According to a preferred embodiment, the skin treated with the composition of the present invention is the skin of the face. According to another preferred embodiment, the skin treated with the composition of the present invention is the skin of the body.

[0049] The skincare composition can be applied at least once a day, twice a day, or more frequently as needed, to the area of the skin that requires treatment, such as the face or body. When applying twice a day, the first and second applications are preferably spaced at least 6 hours, preferably 8 hours apart. Typically, the cosmetic composition is applied once in the morning and once at night. The composition of the present invention can be used over a long period of time without harmful side effects. For example, the treatment period can be at least one week, at least two weeks, at least three weeks, at least four weeks, at least six weeks, at least twelve weeks, at least twenty-four weeks or more. In some embodiments, the treatment is extended for several months, such as 4 months, 6 months, 8 months, 12 months, 18 months or 24 months.

[0050] The skincare composition of the present invention can be provided as an immediately usable composition that enables direct topical administration to the skin. In such a composition, lyophilized or spray-dried live bacteria are present in admixture with other cosmetic or pharmaceutical additives described elsewhere in this specification, such as emollients, fillers, etc. When these compositions are applied to the skin, the dried bacteria are reactivated on the skin of the subject to whom the product is applied. The growth of the bacteria reactivated from the skincare composition has a positive effect on the microbiota on the skin of the subject.

[0051] These ready-to-use compositions are preferably stable at room temperature for at least 1 week, at least 2 weeks, at least 3 weeks, at least 4 weeks, at least 5 weeks, at least 6 weeks, at least 8 weeks, at least 10 weeks, at least 12 weeks, at least 14 weeks, at least 16 weeks, at least 18 weeks, at least 20 weeks, at least 22 weeks, at least 24 weeks, at least 26 weeks, at least 28 weeks or at least 30 weeks, or more. When used in the present invention, the composition is considered stable if the decrease in the number of CFUs present in the composition after storage is less than a 3 log decrease, preferably less than a 2 log decrease, more preferably less than a 1 log decrease. In other words, the composition is considered stable if the decrease in the number of CFUs in the composition after storage is less than 1000-fold, preferably less than 100-fold, more preferably less than 10-fold, relative to the number of CFUs in the composition before storage.

[0052] The skin care composition of the present invention can alternatively be provided as a parts kit in which the lyophilized or spray-dried bacteria are spatially separated from other components, such as cosmetic or therapeutic components. For example, the parts kit can be in the form of a package having two spatially separated chambers, with the first chamber containing the lyophilized or spray-dried bacteria and the second chamber containing a cosmetic preparation, such as a cosmetic preparation containing water. Prior to use, the contents of both chambers are mixed with each other, for example by the consumer or patient, to form a uniform skin care composition, which is subsequently applied to the skin. The parts kit assembly has the advantage that it can remain in the lyophilized or spray-dried form until use, which is related to the particularly high storage stability of the composition. In the parts kit assembly, the weight ratio of the bacteria in the first chamber to the cosmetic preparation, particularly the cosmetic preparation containing water, in the second chamber is advantageously from 1:10 to 1:100, for example 1:10, 1:20, 1:30, 1:40, 1:50, 1:60, 1:70, 1:80, 1:90 or 1:100. After mixing the contents of both chambers, the skin care composition preferably contains from 1 to 10% by weight of the lyophilized or spray-dried bacteria and from 99 to 90% by weight of the cosmetic preparation, such as the cosmetic preparation containing water. According to the present invention, the parts kit can be provided, for example, in a Lyo-Ject® double chamber syringe, a V-LK® double chamber carpuel or a dual chamber system. In another preferred embodiment, the lyophilized or spray-dried bacteria in the first chamber may be suspended in a lipid or an oil. This significantly facilitates packaging and filling. In addition, the surrounding lipid or oil protects the bacteria from premature rehydration. Preferably, the bacteria are suspended in ethylhexyl palmitate or dicaprylyl carbonate. The weight ratio of the bacteria to the oil or lipid is preferably from 1:1 to 1:2.

[0053] In one embodiment, the skin care composition of the present invention is an aqueous preparation such as a gel. The aqueous preparations contemplated herein include aqueous solutions and aqueous dispersions. In one embodiment, the skin care composition is an oil-in-water emulsion. When the skin care composition contains an oil phase, for example when using an oil-in-water emulsion, it is preferred that the oil phase contains triglycerides and / or octyldodecanol. In addition, the oil phase may contain one or more oils selected from the group consisting of lecithin, olive oil, sunflower oil, jojoba oil, soybean oil, peanut oil, rapeseed oil, almond oil, palm oil, coconut oil, castor oil, wheat germ oil, grape seed oil, safflower oil, evening primrose oil, macadamia nut oil, and the like.

[0054] The term "comprising", when used in the context of a method or composition, means that other method steps or composition components may be present in addition to the recited method steps or components. The use of the term "comprising" indicates inclusion rather than limitation. For example, a composition "comprising" components A + B may also contain C as a further component. Similarly, a method "comprising" steps (a) and (b) may also contain (c) as a further method step. In contrast, the term "consisting of", when used in the context of a method or composition, refers to a method or composition that contains no other method steps or composition components not described in the respective composition or method description. For example, a composition "consisting of" components A + B is limited to these two components and contains no other components other than A and B. Similarly, a method "consisting of" steps (a) and (b) is a two-step method and contains no other method steps other than (a) and (b). However, it should be understood that any method or composition described herein as "comprising" a particular method step or component may preferably "consist essentially of" the recited method step or component, or more preferably "consist of" the recited method step or component. Further, unless the context otherwise requires, singular terms shall include the plural, and plural terms shall include the singular.

[0055] Examples In the following examples, certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described. However, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to such embodiments.

[0056] Example 1 : Sampling and processing of samples Cotton swab samples were collected from the skin of the forehead, cheeks, back, and forearms of 30 volunteers (14 females, n = 14; 16 males, n = 16) aged 22 - 43 years as previously described (Ahle et al., 2020). Briefly, 25 cm 2 of the skin of the forehead, cheeks, and back, and 50 cm 2 of the skin of the forearm were wiped with a cotton swab pre - moistened with an aqueous sampling buffer containing disodium phosphate (12.49 g / L, Merck), potassium dihydrogen phosphate (0.63 g / L, Merck), and 1% Triton X - 100 (Sigma). After vigorously shaking the cotton swab in a tube containing 2 mL of the sampling buffer, it was taken out. The samples were stored at - 20 °C before DNA extraction. The skin moisture content and sebum amount were measured using a Corneometer (Courage + Khazaka electronic) and a Sebumeter (Courage + Khazaka electronic), respectively. None of the volunteers had a history of skin diseases and had not received treatment with topical medications or antibiotics in the past six months. Written informed consent was obtained from all volunteers, and the study was approved by the International Medical & Dental Ethics Commission GmbH (IMDEC) in Freiburg (study number 67885).

[0057] The cotton swab samples were diluted with 0.9% NaCl solution (back, cheek, and forehead skin samples: 1:10 and 1:1000; forehead skin samples: 1:1 and 1:100). Cultivation was carried out by plating on Columbia agar medium supplemented with 5% sheep blood, and the agar plates were incubated at 37°C for 24 hours. The number of CFUs was determined using an automatic colony counter (IUL). Based on the colony size and color, up to 5 colonies resembling Staphylococcus were randomly selected from each plate and subcultured on the same agar medium to obtain pure cultures. Each of the 572 isolates obtained was assigned to the species level by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

[0058] Before DNA extraction, the skin cotton swab samples were centrifuged (8,000 g, 30 minutes at 4°C), and the supernatant was discarded. The pellet was lysed using lysostaphin (0.05 mg / mL, Sigma) and lysozyme (9.5 mg / mL, Sigma). DNA was extracted using the DNeasy PowerSoil Kit (QIAGEN) according to the manufacturer's instructions. The DNA concentration was measured using a Qubit fluorometer with the Qubit dsDNA HS Assay (ThermoFisher Scientific).

[0059] Results: A total of 572 bacterial isolates were obtained by selective culture, 557 of which were identified as coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. At all skin sites, the majority of isolates were identified as S. epidermidis (n = 374, 67.2%), followed by Staphylococcus hominis (n = 86, 15.4%). At the skin sites of the forehead, cheek and back, strains of S. epidermidis were dominant, followed by Staphylococcus capitis (relative abundances of 74.5% and 11.7% respectively), while at the skin site of the forearm, strains of S. hominis and Staphylococcus haemolyticus were more frequently isolated (relative abundances of 38.7% and 7.3% respectively). The water content (skin moisture) was highest on the back and forehead skin compared to the cheek and forearm skin (Figure 1). The latter sites showed the highest sebum amount and the number of Staphylococcus per 1 cm 2 showed the number of colony-forming units (CFU), while the skin site of the forearm had particularly low sebum and Staphylococcus counts (Figures 2 and 3).

[0060] Example 2 : Antagonistic plate assay To identify Staphylococcus isolates with biological activity, all 557 CoNS isolates were screened for antimicrobial properties against the indicator strain S. aureus DSM799. Thus, bacterial lawn plates were prepared. A liquid culture of S. aureus was prepared in CASO broth. For Staphylococcus, the liquid culture was adjusted to an optical density of OD600nm = 0.002. 6 mL of the adjusted culture was pipetted onto a rectangular Tryptic Soy Agar (TSA) plate and distributed evenly. 3 mL of the bacterial suspension was used for the circular TSA plate. After 30 seconds, the excess liquid was removed and the plate was dried for 4 hours. The plates were stored at 4°C for up to 3 weeks.

[0061] The isolates were cultured with shaking at 37 °C for 20 h in 1 mL of CASO broth in a 96 Deepwell plate. The 96 Deepwell plate was centrifuged at 2000 rpm for 5 min, 500 μL of the supernatant was removed, and the pellet was resuspended in the remaining liquid. The concentrated bacterial culture was transferred to a 96-well U-bottom plate. The bacterial culture and the supernatant were transferred to a rectangular lawn plate using a replicator stamp. After drying for 4 h, the plates were incubated at 37 °C for 24 h. The visible inhibition zones around the Staphylococcus colonies were considered antimicrobial activity. The Staphylococcus strains showing antimicrobial properties were verified in triplicate.

[0062] Results : It was observed that 4% (22 / 557) of the tested Staphylococcus isolates showed activity against S. aureus. Among these 22 strains, the S. epidermidis strain HAC26 and the S. warneri strain HAA333 were found to have the highest antimicrobial activity against S. aureus. The results of the lawn plate experiments for strains HAC26 and HAA333 are shown in Figure 4. In contrast to the control strain S. epidermidis ATCC12228, both test strains showed visible inhibition zones around the strain colonies and the S. aureus cell lawns. In addition, inhibition of S. aureus could be observed when using the supernatants of the test strains.

[0063] Example 3 : Preparation of skin care compositions The S. epidermidis strain HAC26 and the S. warneri strain HAA333 were incorporated into skin care compositions. For this purpose, freeze-dried powders of S. epidermidis HAC26 and S. warneri HAA333 were prepared and mixed with the other components shown below. The components are listed in % (w / w).

[0064]

Table 1

[0065] Example 4 : Preparation of 2 - component skin care composition S. epidermidis strain HAC26 and S. warneri strain HAA333 were incorporated into the 2 - component skin care composition. For this purpose, freeze - dried powders of S. epidermidis HAC26 and S. warneri HAA333 were prepared and mixed with the other components shown below. The components are listed in %(w / w).

[0066]

Table 2

[0067]

Table 3

[0068] The viability of the freeze - dried strains formulated as Formulation 1A and Formulation 1B described in the above table was tested. As shown in Figure 5, it was found that the strains remained viable even after 4 months of storage.

[0069] Next, 25.96% of the bacterial - containing composition 1A or 1B, respectively, was mixed with 74.04% of the carrier composition 2 immediately before product application. The test products were applied once a day for 4 consecutive days to the test sites of the volar forearms of 12 volunteers at 25 cm 2 at a rate of 2.12 mg of the test product per 1 cm 2 at a density of 1×10 6 CFU / cm 2 The total area of application was 25 cm 2A test product of 53 mg per application was applied. Cotton swab samples were taken before application (baseline) and 24 hours after the last application (day 5). DNA was extracted from the cotton swab samples, and the Staphylococcus composition was analyzed by tuf sequencing (Ahle et al, 2021) as previously described, as well as by strain-specific primers and probes.

[0070] Results : Strain S. epidermidis HAC26 could be specifically detected 5 days after applying the product consisting of Formulations 1A and 2 in the above table to the skin. Similarly, strain S. warneri HAA333 could be specifically detected 5 days after applying the product consisting of Formulations 1B and 2 in the above table to the skin.

[0071] Literature Ahle CM, et al. Staphylococcus saccharolyticus: An Overlooked Human Skin Colonizer, Microorganisms 2020, 8. Ahle CM, et al. Comparison of three amplicon sequencing approaches to determine staphylococcal populations on human skin, BMC Microbiol, 2021, 21 (1):221. Brown SJ, Irvine AD. Atopic eczema and the filaggrin story. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2008; 27(2): 128-137. Dobie D & Gray J. Fusidic acid resistance in Staphylococcus aureus. Arch Dis Child 2004; 89: 74-77. Miraglia del Giudice et al. Immune dysregulation in atopic dermatitis. Allergy Asthma Proc, 2006; 27(6): 451-5. Ring J, et al. European Dermatology Forum (EDF); European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV); European Federation of Allergy (EFA); European Task Force on Atopic Dermatitis (ETFAD); European Society of Pediatric Dermatology (ESPD); Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA2LEN). Guidelines for treatment of atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis) part I. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2012; 26(8):1045-1060. Sandilands A et al. Filaggrin in the frontline: role in skin barrier function disease. J Cell Sci. 2009; 122(pt 9): 1285-1294. Scharschmidt TC, et al. Filaggrin deficiency confers a paracellular barrier abnormality that reduces inflammatory thresholds to irritants and haptens. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009; 124(3): 496-506, 506. el-e6. Sicherer SC, Leung DY. Advances in allergic skin disease, anaphylaxis, and hypersensitivity reactions to foods, drugs, and insects in 2008. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009; 123(2): 319-327. Silverberg NB, Silverberg JI. Inside out or outside in: does atopic dermatitis disrupt barrier function or does disruption of barrier function trigger atopic dermatitis? Cutis. 2015;96(6):359-361.

Claims

1. A skincare composition for topical administration to the skin, (a) Staphylococcus epidermidis strain HAC26, deposited in DSMZ under accession number DSM 34117, (b) Staphylococcus warneri strain HAA333, deposited in DSMZ under accession number DSM 34118, and / or (c) Culture supernatant obtained from any of the strains described in (a) to (b) A skincare composition containing the following:

2. The skincare composition according to claim 1, wherein the Staphylococcus epidermidis strain is present in the composition in a freeze-dried or spray-dried form.

3. The aforementioned Staphylococcus epidermidis strain, (a) 10 of the skin care composition ４ ~10 １１ CFU / ml, preferably 10 ７ ~10 １０ CFU / ml, and / or (b) at least 0.5% (w / v) of the skincare composition The skincare composition according to claim 1, wherein the above is present in the composition in the amount of .

4. The skincare composition according to claim 1, wherein the Staphylococcus warneri strain is present in the composition in a freeze-dried or spray-dried form.

5. The aforementioned Staphylococcus warneri strain, (a) 10 ４ ~10 １１ CFU / ml, preferably 10 ７ ~10 １０ CFU / ml, or (b) at least 0.5% (w / v) of the skincare composition The skincare composition according to claim 1, wherein the above amount is present in the composition.

6. The composition is (a) 10 ４ ~10 １１ Staphylococcus epidermidis strain HAC26 in an amount of CFU / ml of 10 to 10, and (b) 10 ４ ~10 １１ Staphylococcus warneri strain HAA333 at CFU / ml A skincare composition according to claim 1, comprising:

7. The skincare composition according to claim 1, further comprising one or more additives.

8. The skincare composition according to claim 7, wherein one or more of the additives include a emollient, a filler, a thickener, a solubilizer, an antioxidant, a preservative, a pH adjuster, a binder, a buffer, a colorant, a humectant, an exfoliant, a preservative, a plant extract, an essential oil, or a fragrance.

9. The skincare composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition is in the form of a gel, cream, ointment, or lotion.

10. Staphylococcus epidermidis strain HAC26, deposited in DSMZ under accession number DSM 34117, or the culture supernatant obtained from the said strain.

11. Staphylococcus warneri strain HAA333, deposited in DSMZ under accession number DSM 34118, or the culture supernatant obtained from the said strain.

12. A skin care composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or a bacterial strain or culture supernatant according to claim 10 or 11, used in a method for treating atopic dermatitis and / or rosacea in a subject.

13. A skincare composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or a bacterial strain or culture supernatant according to claim 10 or 11, used for a method of reducing the number of Staphylococcus aureus cells on the skin of a subject.

14. A skincare composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or a bacterial strain or culture supernatant according to claim 10 or 11, used in a method for treating a skin infection in a subject.

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