Human skin microbiota

The human skin microbiota is a complex and dynamic ecosystem comprising trillions of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and mites that inhabit various topographical niches of the human skin surface. It plays a fundamental role in host health by reinforcing the skin's physical and chemical barrier, producing antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), and modulating both innate and adaptive immune responses. This microbial community acts as a primary defense against environmental pathogens through competitive inhibition and the maintenance of an acidic skin pH environment. Disruptions to this delicate microbial balance, a state referred to as dysbiosis, are significantly associated with the pathogenesis of various dermatological disorders, including atopic dermatitis, acne vulgaris, and psoriasis. Therapeutic interventions aim to restore homeostasis through strategies such as the application of probiotics, prebiotics, and targeted antimicrobial agents like bacteriophages. Unlike traditional molecular targets, the microbiota represents a dynamic biological network that interactively influences host physiology and environmental response, making it a pivotal focus for modern dermatological research and therapeutic development.

Other names

Human skin microbiomeCutaneous microbiotaSkin microfloraCutaneous microbiome