Preservatives are a requirement in personal care products to maintain the integrity of a product and keep consumers safe. While beneficial in many aspects, they could have an impact on the microbiota. Research has suggested that everyday cosmetics and commonly used preservatives in personal care products do in fact disturb the skin microbiota.1, 2 Although this may be the case, preservatives should still be included in formulas for product and consumer safety. preBIULIN AGA (INCI: Inulin) can help support the microbiota against skin disturbances that take place after exposure to preservatives, all while not altering the preservative efficacy. Additional benefits this prebiotic offers include superior hydration via the skin microbiota.
preBIULIN AGA is a prebiotic that is a combination of two inulin types differing in molecular chain length and branching. The inulin is extracted from chicory and agave and can only be metabolized by organisms carrying the inulinase enzyme. Due to this, inulin acts as a prebiotic and only feeds select protective organisms that in turn provide food for others, thus supporting the microbiota.
Protecting the Integrity of the Skin Microbiota from Preservatives
Tests were performed where creams containing a strong preservative system with and without preBIULIN AGA were applied onto subjects’ cheeks. The total count and diversity of the microbiota as a function of time shows how preservatives disrupt the microbiota. Without preBIULIN AGA, the microbiota had not recovered after 4 hours, whereas preBIULIN AGA accelerated its recovery. It was also found that the diversity of the microbiota was closer to the original situation, suggesting less colonization by foreign organisms with preBIULIN AGA than without it.
Microbiota count in function of time after applying cream containing a strong preservative system, with and without preBIULIN AGA. Microbiota count is measured using dip slides, incubated at 37 degrees for 48h.
Microbiota diversity 4h after application of cream containing a strong preservative system with and without preBIULIN AGA. Profiling done by DNA sequencing using 16S (bacteria) and UNITE ITS (fungi) gene databases. Values expressed as percentage difference verses initial situation.
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- Wallen-Russell, C. The Role of Every-Day Cosmetics in Altering the Skin Microbiome: A Study Using Biodiversity. Cosmetics 2019, 6, 2
- Jeong, J., Hyun, K. Effects of Cosmetics and Their Preservatives on the Growth and Composition of Human Skin Microbiota. Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea. Volume 41 Issue 2/Pages.127-134/2015/1226-2587(pISSN)/2288-9507(eISSN)