Live C. Acnes Skin Care Composition With Viability-Supporting Preservatives

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing skin care products that contain lyophilized or spray-dried Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) bacteria face issues with bacterial viability and growth inhibition due to common excipients, leading to ineffective modulation of the skin microbiome for acne treatment.

Innovation Solution

A skin care composition comprising lyophilized or spray-dried C. acnes strains combined with preservatives like ethanol, phenoxyethanol, caprylyl glycol, and methylpropanediol, along with emollients, thickeners, and pH adjusters, ensures bacterial viability and growth upon application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If common excipients are used in skin care products containing C. acnes bacteria, then product stability and preservation are improved, but bacterial viability and growth are inhibited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct stabilityVSAvoidbacterial viability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes harmful common excipients from the formulation and replaces them with a specific preservative system (phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin, and/or sodium benzoate) that is compatible with C. acnes bacteria. This extraction of harmful substances while retaining essential preservation functions resolves the contradiction between product stability and bacterial viability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent specifies precise concentration ranges for preservatives (phenoxyethanol: 0.05-5% w/w, ethylhexylglycerin: 0.05-5% w/w, sodium benzoate: 0.05-2% w/w) to achieve optimal compatibility with C. acnes bacteria. By optimizing these parameter ranges, the formulation maintains both product stability through effective preservation and bacterial viability for effective acne treatment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If antibiotics are used to treat acne, then bacterial reduction is achieved, but side effects and relapse occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebacterial reductionVSAvoidside effects

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using antibiotics to kill C. acnes bacteria, the patent inverts the approach by administering live C. acnes bacteria in a controlled formulation. This probiotic approach restores skin microbiome balance and treats acne through competitive exclusion and modulation of pathogenic strains, eliminating antibiotic-related side effects and reducing relapse rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the previously harmful presence of C. acnes bacteria (which cause acne) into a beneficial treatment by using specific strains and formulations that restore microbiome balance. The same bacteria that were considered pathogens are now used as probiotics to treat acne, transforming the harmful factor into a therapeutic agent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Adaptability or versatility

If live C. acnes bacteria are applied to skin, then microbiome modulation is achieved, but bacterial survival during storage is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobiome modulationVSAvoidbacterial survival

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a carefully selected preservative system (phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin, and/or sodium benzoate) as an intermediary substance that protects C. acnes bacteria during storage without harming their viability. These preservatives create a protective environment that extends shelf life while maintaining bacterial survival and functionality upon application to the skin.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite formulation combining C. acnes bacteria with a multi-component preservative system and skin-compatible excipients. This composite structure provides both protection during storage and compatibility with skin application, enabling the product to maintain bacterial viability throughout the shelf life and upon contact with skin.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The composition maintains bacterial viability during storage and promotes effective reactivation and growth on the skin, restoring a healthy skin microbiome and treating acne without side effects.

Implementation Method 1

lyophilized or spray-dried C. acnes strains

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLyophilization: Freeze Drying

Implementation Method 2

lyophilized or spray-dried C. acnes strains

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpray-drying: Spray

Implementation Method 3

a preservative that specifically supports their viability during storage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPreservation: Preservative

Data Source

PatentUS20260027039A1Novel skin care composition

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 BEIERSDORF AG

AI summary

A cosmetic or therapeutic skin care composition comprising live bacteria of at least one Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) strain in combination with a preservative that specifically supports their viability during storage and/or their ability to replicate after application to the skin. Preferably, the cosmetic or therapeutic skin care composition comprises bacteria of at least one C. acnes strain selected from the group consisting of D1, A5, C1, C3, H1, H2, H3, K1, K2, K4, K6, K8, K9, L1, and F4. The skin care composition is suitable for treating or preventing acne.