Cosmax, First in the World to Publish Research on 'Skin Microbiome' in an International Journal

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] Global cosmetics research, development, and manufacturing (ODM) company COSMAX, together with GIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology), has revealed for the first time in the world the correlation between the skin microbiome (a collective term for various microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses living on the human body) and skin aging.

COSMAX announced on the 23rd that the paper titled "Functional Substances of Skin Microbiome and Their Correlation with Skin Aging" was published in Nature Communications Biology.

Since 2015, COSMAX has recognized that the resident bacteria on human skin directly regulate the skin and has conducted research related to anti-aging. They discovered that microorganisms residing on the skin decrease with age, hypothesizing that these microbes hold a key role in anti-aging, and began genetic analysis.

This newly discovered microorganism was named ‘Strain-COSMAX’, and to reveal its anti-aging function, COSMAX and GIST conducted whole-genome sequencing to track the roles of the entire genome.

The analysis revealed that this microorganism regulates various skin metabolisms and influences aging phenomena. They also found that the substance ‘spermidine’, produced during metabolic processes, directly affects skin anti-aging. Additionally, spermidine was confirmed to activate collagen synthesis and lipid secretion in the skin, enhancing skin moisture, elasticity, and anti-aging effects.

Park Myung-sam, Head of the R&I Center, said, "Unveiling the mechanism of the correlation between the skin microbiome and aging is a great achievement made after six years of effort," adding, "It will be used as a next-generation anti-aging cosmetic and bio-material with a super-gap technology in the global market."

COSMAX plans to expand the application of skin microbiome technology into various products. These products are expected to be launched in the market as ▲anti-aging cosmetics ▲hair loss prevention shampoos ▲mouthwash products ▲oral health functional foods.

Lee Byung-man, CEO of COSMAX, said, "The publication of skin microbiome technology in a world-renowned academic journal will serve as an opportunity to widely promote the research and development (R&D) status of K-Beauty," and added, "We will develop innovative materials and create unprecedented products to become the center of the global ‘Health & Beauty’ market."

Meanwhile, COSMAX launched the world’s first anti-aging cosmetic using the skin beneficial bacteria culture ‘Strain-COSMAX’ in 2019. To date, they have secured over 20 types of beneficial microorganisms.