Perspective: Stabilizing the Microbiome Skin-Gut-Brain Axis with Natural Plant Botanical Ingredients in Cosmetics

Abstract

The microbiome of the gut and skin have recently been shown to have a strong connection through the host immune system. Various skin and gut inflammatory conditions are interrelated and connected through intricate immune pathways that affect the host barrier functions both in the skin and the gut. Microbiome 'dysbiosis' of the skin and gut leads to various alterations in host immune pathways that can alter the barrier and lead to disease. In this perspective article, we discuss the role of plant botanicals in cosmetics and their effect on the skin-gut-brain axis.

Updates on the Risk of Neuropsychiatric and Gastrointestinal Comorbidities in Rosacea and Its Possible Relationship with the Gut–Brain–Skin Axis

“…Moreover, as the skin and gut both have neuroendocrine pathways, this could also affect the function of the brain. The association with the gut–brain axis has also been established via multiple parallel pathways between them, including the autonomic nervous system and the pituitary–hypothalamus–adrenal axis [ 81 ]. The proposed role of the gut–brain–skin axis in rosacea is depicted in Figure 2 .…”

Green Consumer Behavior in the Cosmetics Market

“…Cosmetics demand protection against microbes, just as all water-and organic/inorganic mixture-containing products, to secure the safety of consumers, and increase the shelf-life of the product [47]. The main goal of microbiological safety is the consumer's protection against potentially pathogenic micro-organisms, and avoiding the biological, and physical-chemical degradation of the product.…”

The role of the microbiome in scalp hair follicle biology and disease

“…A decrease in phylum of Actinobacteria, which includes Bifidobacterium species of a known immunosuppressive activity, and perturbations in the balance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, along with recent findings of an increased intestinal permeability, supports a new concept of a "gut-skin axis" in psoriasis. [5,69,70]…”

“…Its composition varies distinctly across different skin regions depending on pH, temperature, moisture and sebum content of the same individual . A vast range of external factors connected with for example, vaginal or caesarean delivery, living environment (sunlight exposure, air temperature and humidity), lifestyle habits or used cosmetics, along with probable genetic predispositions to particular microbiotas, shape the skin microbiome and result in high interpersonal variabilities . Hair follicles (HFs) extending from the skin surface to the dermis or subcutaneous tissue with direct connection to the sebaceous gland (“pilosebaceous unit”) create a unique lipid‐rich hydrophobic niche .…”

“…[3,4] A vast range of external factors connected with for example, vaginal or caesarean delivery, living environment (sunlight exposure, air temperature and humidity), lifestyle habits or used cosmetics, along with probable genetic predispositions to particular microbiotas, shape the skin microbiome and result in high interpersonal variabilities. [5][6][7] Hair follicles (HFs) extending from the skin surface to the dermis or subcutaneous tissue with direct connection to the sebaceous gland ("pilosebaceous unit") create a unique lipid-rich hydrophobic niche. [8] Whereas many studies have confirmed the presence of numerous bacteria and fungi within the follicular opening and upper part of the HF (the infundibulum), only single studies have reported on microbes located deeply in the follicle.…”