Unilever scientists discover link between skin microbiome and mental wellbeing

The human body is home to trillions of tiny organisms, including bacteria, which make up the microbiome.

Over the past decade or so, there’s been increasing scientific interest in understanding its impact on our health and psychological wellbeing, with particular focus on the gut microbiome. But the role of the skin microbiome in this complex interplay has remained underexplored.

Until now.

Working in partnership with the Microbiome Innovation Centre and the Brain & Behaviour Lab at the University of Liverpool, we discovered a potential link for the first time. And it’s giving us some unique insights that could pave the way for microbiome-targeted skincare innovations.

The importance of the skin–brain axis

For the study, we examined bacteria from various areas of the body – the face, scalp, forearm and axilla (underarm) – of 53 adults. Each participant answered questions about their general psychological wellbeing, including stress levels and mood, as well as perceptions of body site-specific wellbeing.

The questionnaire captured things like the psychological distress associated with visible skin concerns, which are often linked to reduced self-confidence and social withdrawal. And the impact of underarm issues, such as how odour and sweat may restrict a person’s day-to-day activities.

What we found is that higher levels of a common skin bacterium, Cutibacterium, are linked to better psychological wellbeing.

Specifically, more Cutibacterium on the face and underarm is associated with lower stress and improved mood.

Our results suggest that certain bacteria on the skin may be positively related to our psychological wellbeing, highlighting the potential of the skin microbiome as a critical part of the skin–brain axis.

The skin–brain axis refers to the bidirectional communication between the skin and the brain, where psychological factors can influence skin health and vice versa. In other words, the connection between how our skin feels and how we feel overall.

Translating insight into innovation

These insights are important because we know consumers no longer see the pursuit of beauty and of wellbeing as independent of each other. They’re looking for solutions that support physical appearance and mental wellbeing, and positively contribute to overall health.^[a]

Now, by advancing our scientific knowledge of the skin–brain axis, we hope to develop innovative holistic solutions that focus on optimising the skin microbiome to improve both long-term skin health and mental wellbeing.

This points to the future of skincare, where products are not just cosmetic but therapeutic, designed to work with biology rather than against it, and directly improve quality of life.

Leading the field

The findings are the latest in a host of groundbreaking microbiome discoveries we’ve been making at Unilever. Since our first scientific paper on microbiome was published in 2003, we’ve secured more than 100 patents. With over 30,000 samples analysed, we now hold one of the world’s largest collections of human skin microbiome data.

And we’ve already developed products using these insights, including body washes, deodorants and beauty products across brands like Dove, Vaseline, Pond’s and Dermalogica.

Stay tuned for more exciting developments as we continue to explore the potential of microbiome-based skincare.