Surprisingly, there are thousands and millions of bacteria in every human body, including on your skin, in your organs, and even in your mouth! However, most of the bacteria in our human body is good bacteria-it helps our body perform its day to day functions. The huge array of micro-organisms inside our body is known as the microbiome. While bacteria are the biggest players, we also host archaea, fungi, and other microbes. Most of these are found in the small and large intestines but also throughout the body, as it promotes smooth daily operations of the human body. Each person has a unique network of microbiota that is determined by one’s DNA. In fact, a person is first exposed to microorganisms as an infant, through the mother’s breast milk. As a person matures, environmental exposures and diet can change one’s microbiome to be either beneficial to health or place one at greater risk for disease. While these microorganisms exist inside a human, they also exist near the surface of our skin.

The interaction between skin microbes and host immunity plays an important role in the development of Acne. Acne vulgaris, or acne for short, is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. It often causes whiteheads, blackheads or pimples, and usually appears on the face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders. Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, affecting up to 50 million Americans yearly. You might even have acne! Acne commonly occurs during puberty, when the sebaceous glands activate, but it can occur at virtually any age.

The microbial community in the skin pilosebaceous unit is dominated by Propionibacterium acnes, which accounts for nearly 90% of the microbiota. Although P. acnes is a major skin commensal, it has been considered a pathogenic factor for acne vulgaris. Certain strains are highly associated with the disease, while some strains are enriched in healthy skin. Fortunately, there are certain creams and lotions that can target the bad bacteria in our skin that causes acne. Acne creams that contain probiotics is a potential solution. Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms that when administered in adequate amounts may confer a health benefit on the host. The use of probiotics can be a targeted antimicrobial therapy that can reduce P. acnes, the pathogen that causes acne.