skin

Acne is a worldwide disease, affecting mainly the 12 – 24 years-old age group, in which it is the most common disease. Several options are available as treatment for acne, including topical or oral antibiotics, topical retinoids, hormone-based therapies, isotretinoin, etc. However, due to the side effects they can cause and the worldwide increase in bacterial resistance to antibiotics, new alternatives are being sought to balance the skin microbiota, the set of microorganisms that reside on our skin. Cutibacterium acnes is a bacterium found normally in healthy skin and more abundantly in people with acne.

New alternatives include the use of topical probiotics (such as Lactobacillus fermentum), which are live microorganisms that directly improve and modify the skin’s microbiota and immune response.
These probiotics directly inhibit C. acnes with proteins that act against microorganisms and also have properties that modify the skin’s immune system. Hence, this Master’s thesis focuses on the development of new cosmetics with natural ingredients enriched with probiotics with the aim of balancing the skin’s microbiota to combat diseases such as acne and avoid the unwanted side effects of the anti-acne treatments currently in use.

Keywords: skin; acne; probiotics; Lactobacillus fermentum; mask

Directed by: Mª Encarnación Morales Hernández

The human body is in continuous contact with the environment through the skin, an organ that is exposed to physical, chemical and mechanical attacks. For skin to remain healthy, it must receive all the necessary nutrients and hydration. If skin becomes dehydrated, it can suffer serious injury. These problems can be avoided by applying skin-care products such as creams, serums and gels, among others. Given that a large part of the population suffers from xerosis due to the aforementioned attacks, we have developed a new moisturizing serum with natural active ingredients. A strain of the probiotic species Lactobacillus fermentum will later be added to the serum. This will be characterized by means of pH, conductivity and viscosity measurements and it will be subjected to probiotic viability and efficacy studies. Despite the fact that this serum with probiotics has been designed for application in cases of xerosis, a review will be carried out of other skin pathologies in which it could also be used.

Keywords: skin; xerosis; probiotics; Lactobacillus fermentum; moisturizing serum

Directed by: Mª Encarnación Morales Hernández

Cosmetic formulations for topical acne treatment – María Díaz Salas

Facial serum with probiotics – Florina Iulia Bura