Skin Care Composition for Microbiome Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The human skin microbiome is disrupted by harsh conditions and daily washing, leading to an imbalance that can result in skin diseases such as acne and eczema, with a need for means to promote and stabilize the growth of resident microorganisms like Staphylococcus epidermidis over pathogenic bacteria.
Innovation Solution
A skin care composition comprising pyruvic acid, pyruvate, lactic acid, or lactate as a carbon source, along with urea and/or arginine as a nitrogen source, and caprylic/capric triglycerides as a lipid source, which are metabolized by resident microorganisms to promote their growth and stabilize the skin microbiome.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If daily washing with soap and use of cosmetic products are applied to clean the skin, then the skin is kept clean and free from contaminants, but the overall number of bacterial and fungal cells is reduced and the skin microbiome is disturbed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the skin environment by applying compositions containing specific carbon sources (pyruvate, lactate), nitrogen sources (urea, arginine), and lipids (caprylic/capric triglycerides). These parameter changes provide favorable metabolic conditions that promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms while maintaining skin cleanliness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful effect of reduced microbial diversity caused by cleaning products into a benefit by selectively promoting the growth of beneficial resident microorganisms through targeted nutrient supplementation. This restores the microbiome balance without compromising skin cleanliness.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the number of resident bacteria such as Staphylococcus epidermidis becomes too low, then the skin appears clean, but there is a risk that the skin is colonized with pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary anti-action by promoting the growth of beneficial resident microorganisms before pathogenic bacteria can colonize the skin. The nutrient-rich composition creates a protective microbial barrier that prevents pathogenic colonization in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The composition creates a positive feedback loop where resident microorganisms metabolize the provided nutrients and produce antimicrobial compounds that further inhibit pathogenic bacteria. This self-reinforcing mechanism maintains healthy microbial balance and prevents pathogenic colonization.
3Reliability
If growth-enhancing compounds are applied to promote resident microorganisms, then the skin microbiome is stabilized and pathogenic bacteria are prevented, but additional components are required in the composition
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies multi-functionality by designing a composition where each component serves multiple purposes: carbon sources provide energy and promote microbial growth, nitrogen sources support protein synthesis, and lipids provide structural components and additional growth promotion. This universal approach achieves microbiome stabilization through a coordinated system of essential nutrients.
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 effectively increases the cell number of resident bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus epidermidis, while reducing the growth of pathogenic bacteria, thereby maintaining a healthy skin microbiome and preventing skin diseases like acne.
Implementation Method 1
These growth-enhancing compounds are metabolized by the microorganisms of the skin microbiome after their topical application to the skin, thereby supporting growth of the microorganisms
Implementation Method 2
The growth-enhancing compounds disclosed herein are metabolized by the resident microorganisms, i.e. the microorganisms that normally occur as part of the human skin microbiome
Implementation Method 3
The topical application of such compounds therefore provides improved metabolic conditions for these microorganisms on the skin surface
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention generally relates to the field of skin care. More particularly, the invention relates to a skin care composition that comprises growth-enhancing compounds which promote the development of a healthy skin microbiome. These growth-enhancing compounds are metabolized by the microorganisms of the skin microbiome after their topical application to the skin, thereby supporting growth of the microorganisms. The growth-enhancing compounds and compositions comprising same can be used for treating or preventing skin diseases, for promoting the development of a healthy skin microbiome, for stabilizing a healthy skin microbiome, and for promoting growth of bacteria of the skin microbiome.