Fundamentals of Microbiome for the Cosmetic Industry

Course Overview

Brand new from the SCC, this course provides a comprehensive introduction to what constitutes a “microbiome” and more pertinently, the “skin microbiome”. Course participants will be given an overview of the field of microbiology and human microbiome research to provide an entry point into substantive conversations about how the cosmetic care industry should be leveraging the knowledge of the human skin microbiome to discover, develop, and launch products and services of value to ameliorate a variety of skin conditions.

Who Should Attend

Any cosmetic care research scientist or formulator interested in how the skin microbiome impacts skin health and how it can be modulated and balanced to ameliorate certain skin conditions.
 

Course Outline

INTRODUCTION – an introduction to microbiology and the various types of microorganisms that will be discussed in the context of the skin microbiome. 

• Cellular biological entities vs. acellular biological entities
• Three (3) domains of cellular life
• Putting into context: pathogenic microbes vs. commensal microbes
• Microbes frequently associated with the skin – not just bacteria, though they contribute
• Classical and modern techniques to investigate microorganisms

HUMAN MICROBIOME – an introduction of the concept of the human microbiome and the many discoveries that have been made since the inception of the Human Microbiome Project, including:

• Gut microbiome 
• Brain microbiome 
• Skin microbiome
• Antibiotic resistance
• Bacteriophage therapy

SKIN MICROBIOME – a deeper dive into what is currently known about the skin microbiome as regards resident organisms – types, species, aberrations/perturbations

• Bacteria – the familiar culprits
  • Cutibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Micrococcus luteus, Corynebacterium sp. – to name a few
• Other microbe types.
  • Microscopic fungi
  • Pathogenic protozoa
  • Viruses—including “skin virome”, an expansive new field of study involving viruses that infect our skin cells, bacterial cells, fungal cells, etc.)
• Characterization of the skin microbiome community
  • Techniques for the collection, identification and characterization of microbes resident on the skin
  • Metagenomics – its impact and prospects
• Current products making microbiome claims
• Products with “microbiome friendly” labels

FUTURE OF SKIN MICROBIOME RESEARCH AND SKIN HEALTH

• Will these endeavors lead to lasting changes in how we approach cosmetic care?
• How might regulatory agencies view this type of research?
• Most importantly: How might the consumer respond to this type of research and the resulting products with their microbiome claims

Instructor: Paul Lawrence, PhD

Availability: Available immediately upon course selection and enrollment

Format: On-Demand with Live Instructor Q&A

Originally Recorded:
January 2025

Note: In addition to the online, on-demand instruction and live instructor Q&A, Certificate in Skin Care participants who select this elective will also receive a PDF copy of the course slides. Course module recordings and quizzes will be available throughout the participant’s active enrollment period.

ENROLL NOW

If also applying for SCC membership, please allow up to five business days for application processing. Member pricing will not be in effect for Certificate Program enrollment until after the membership application is approved. 

About the Instructor

Paul Lawrence, PhD

Biocogent

Dr. Paul Lawrence received his doctorate in molecular microbiology from Stony Brook University and before that obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in molecular biology from the University of New Mexico. During his career, he has conducted biological research in academia, industry, and for the United States government. He has executed anti-viral therapeutic and vaccine research at Brookhaven National Laboratory and the Plum Island Animal Disease Center. In industry, he has participated in contract biopharmaceutical projects for the former Collaborative Bioalliance and Dow Chemical. Dr. Lawrence was also the Director of DNA Production for the anti-counterfeiting biotechnology company, Applied DNA Sciences. Currently, he is the Executive Director of Research and Discovery for Biocogent. In his spare time, he is also an adjunct professor at two different colleges teaching microbiology to future nurses and doctors. He also volunteers as an associate technical editor for the Journal of Cosmetic Science and is currently the Vice Chair of the Committee on Scientific Affairs for the Society of Cosmetic Chemists. Over the course of his career, Dr. Lawrence has published more than 30 research manuscripts and review articles, more than 25 online science digests, and has authored a textbook chapter on the molecular pathogenesis of one of the world’s most infectious viruses.