Key points from article :
Researchers studied the skin microbiome of over 650 women to find links between microbes and signs of ageing like wrinkles and dryness.
They used data from 13 past L'Oréal studies focusing on specific areas like crow's feet or moisture loss, but looked for broader trends across all the data.
The study found two main connections: more diverse skin microbes were linked to more crow's feet wrinkles, but also to less water loss through the skin.
While it's too early to give specific advice or make claims about cause and effect, the research identified potential microbial "biomarkers" for further study.
Future research could involve analyzing skin chemicals or genes to understand how microbes influence ageing, and explore ways to modify the microbiome for healthier skin.
The study was a carried out at UC San Diego's Center for Microbiome Innovation, and published in Frontiers in Aging.