Pilot study on novel skin care method by augmentation with Staphylococcus epidermidis, an autologous skin microbe – A blinded randomized clinical trial

•We constructed a new skin care method, augmentation with S. epidermidis.•We conducted a clinical trial on augmentation with S. epidermidis as a pilot study.•This treatment improved moisture retention of the skin.•This treatment maintained a low acidic condition on the skin surface.•The low risk of undesirable effects induced by this treatment was also confirmed.

Background and objectiveStaphylococcus epidermidis is an autologous bacterium that is beneficial to skin health. Our goal was to develop a novel, personalized basic cosmetic that exploits this characteristic.MethodsWe conducted a double-blinded, randomized clinical trial on augmentation with S. epidermidis as a pilot study, in which S. epidermidis was collected from the subject, cultured for proliferation, and then continuously applied to the subject's own face before sleep twice per week for four weeks in order to increase colonization levels.ResultsThe results showed that this treatment increased the lipid content of the skin and suppressed water evaporation, thereby markedly improving skin moisture retention. Moreover, augmentation with S. epidermidis maintained a low acidic condition on the skin surface. The low risk of undesirable effects induced by augmentation with S. epidermidis was also confirmed by measuring erythema and melanin levels.ConclusionsThese results may serve as a driving force to accelerate the development of novel, personalized basic cosmetics.