WO2025108664A1

WO2025108664A1 - Personalized skin analysis and personal care

Info

Publication number: WO2025108664A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/080635
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chung-Ching Chu; Xiao CUI; Yining XU
Original assignee: Unilever Global IP Ltd; Unilever IP Holdings BV; Conopco Inc
Current assignee: Unilever Global IP Ltd; Unilever IP Holdings BV; Conopco Inc
Priority date: 2023-11-24
Filing date: 2024-10-30
Publication date: 2025-05-30
Anticipated expiration: 2026-05-24

Abstract

The invention provides a method for providing skin analysis, and personalized personal care information based on that analysis.

Description

PERSONALIZED SKIN ANALYSIS AND PERSONAL CARE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to methods for providing skin analysis, and personalized personal care information based on that analysis, to consumers.

Background of the Invention

An influx of information online and on social media has educated consumers on their beauty needs and fueled a growing demand for personalized personal care solutions which address their unique concerns.

Efforts have been made to create personalized personal care solutions for consumers, for example by measuring visible skin parameters (such as shine, spots, wrinkles, roughness, and irregular pigmentation) and using the data so acquired to inform product recommendation or design.

Despite the unquestionable value of visual assessment, the phenotypic characteristics being measured are typically end products of the underlying mechanisms which are responsible for healthy skin and its appearance. In order to effectively create personalization in personal care, it is necessary to gain an insight into these underlying mechanisms. This requires an understanding of the skin microbiome and how to maintain its delicate balance.

The present inventors have recognized that there is a need to provide consumer personalized personal care route more precisely. Therefore, the present invention provides a method for providing skin analysis and personalized personal care information based on that analysis to a consumer. It is capable of providing the consumer personalized personal care routine with specific ingredient(s) that said consumer needs.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for providing skin analysis and personalized personal care information based on that analysis to a consumer, the method comprising: (a) building a reference database by linking the microbiome abundance data to the capability to produce one or more specific personal care ingredients; (b) receiving a sample of the skin microbiome, which is collected from a skin surface of the consumer; (c) determining the microbiome abundance data of said sample; (d) comparing the microbiome abundance data with the reference database; (e) providing a personalized personal care routine for said consumer based on the result of the comparison.

All other aspects of the present invention will more readily become apparent upon considering the detailed description and examples which follow.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Except in the examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description indicating amounts of material or conditions of reaction, physical properties of materials and/or use may optionally be understood as modified by the word “about”.

All amounts are by weight of the composition, unless otherwise specified.

It should be noted that in specifying any range of values, any particular upper value can be associated with any particular lower value.

For the avoidance of doubt, the word “comprising” is intended to mean “including” but not necessarily “consisting of” or “composed of’. In other words, the listed steps or options need not be exhaustive.

The disclosure of the invention as found herein is to be considered to cover all embodiments as found in the claims as being multiply dependent upon each other irrespective of the fact that claims may be found without multiple dependency or redundancy.

Where a feature is disclosed with respect to a particular aspect of the invention (for example a composition of the invention), such disclosure is also to be considered to apply to any other aspect of the invention (for example a method of the invention) mutatis mutandis.

“Microbiome” as used herein refers to the diverse ecological community of commensal bacteria, fungi, viruses, and/or parasites that are associated with an organism.

“Personal care” means regulating and/or improving cosmetic qualities of the skin and/or hair. These qualities are subject to regulation and/or improvement both in healthy subjects as well as those which present diseases or disorders of the skin (such as atopic dermatitis, acne vulgaris, dandruff, dryness, psoriasis or lichen planus).

Preferably, step (a) comprises the step of (a1) obtaining samples of the skin microbiomes, collected from a skin surface of N individuals, wherein N is at least 20; (a2) determining the microbiome abundance of said samples; and (a3) correlating the microbiome abundance data with the capability to produce one or more specific personal care ingredients.

The samples of the skin microbiomes may be obtained by non-invasive techniques such as tape stripping, scraping, swabbing or invasive techniques such as biopsy. It is preferable that sample of the skin microbiome is collected by non-invasive techniques, more preferably by tape stripping, swabbing, and/or buffer scrubbing.

To make the database more precisely, N is preferably an integer of at least 50 and more preferably at least 100, even more preferably at least 200. To reduce the workload of setting the database, N is preferably an integer of less than 1,000,000, more preferably 100,000, even more preferably 10,000.

The skin surface of the consumer is preferably a facial skin surface, such as one or more of forehead, periorbital, cheek, perioral, chin, nose, or body skin surface for example hand, leg, underarm or scalp skin surface. More preferably, the skin surface of the consumer is preferably facial skin surface, and/or scalp skin surface.

Preferably, the step of determining microbiome abundance data comprises the step of obtaining nucleic acid, preferably DNA. The step of determining microbiome abundance data preferably comprises the step of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), microarray, or nucleic acid sequencing. Preferably, sequencing method may comprise whole genome sequencing, next generation sequencing, Sanger- sequencing, 16S rDNA sequencing and/or 16S rRNA sequencing, metagenomics sequencing, metatranscriptom ics sequencing. More preferably, the sequencing method is 16S rDNA sequencing and/or 16S rRNA sequencing.

Preferably, the microbiome abundance data comprises the microbiome relative and/or absolute abundance of a panel of microorganism comprises strains of at least 4 and, preferably at least 7 of the following genera/species: (i) Acinetobacter spp., (ii) Corynebacterium spp., (iii) Cutibacterium acnes, (iv) Lactobacillus spp., (v) Staphylococcus epidermidis, (vi) Staphylococcus hominis, (vii) Staphylococcus capitis and (viii) Streptococcus spp.

Ideally, the microbiome abundance data comprises the microbiome relative abundance of strains of 8 different skin microorganisms, representing each of the following genera/species: (i) Acinetobacter spp., (ii) Corynebacterium spp., (iii) Cutibacterium acnes, (iv) Lactobacillus spp., (v) Staphylococcus epidermidis, (vi) Staphylococcus hominis, (vii) Staphylococcus capitis and (viii) Streptococcus spp.

To link microbiome abundance data with the capability to produce one or more specific personal care ingredients, the capability to produce certain ingredient by the microbiome may be determined by multiplying abundance of the measured microorganisms by the average presence of the biosynthetic module of said microorganisms. The presence of biosynthetic module in said microorganisms may be defined from genome sequences or public database on microbial metabolites.

The specific personal care ingredients may comprise skin hydration active, anti-inflammation active, skin barrier active, skin renewal active, anti-ageing active, depigmentation active, antiacne active, anti-dandruff active, anti-hair fall active, deodorants actives or a combination thereof. Preferably, the specific personal care ingredients comprise amino acids, vitamins, fatty acids, minerals, alpha hydroxyl acid, beta hydroxyl acid, carbohydrates, carboxylic acid, glycosaminoglycan, sphingolipids, humectants, steroids, peptides, polyamine, antioxidants, or precursor thereof. Precursor as used herein refers to a compound capable of being converted into the active by the skin and/or the skin microbes and suitable for personal care use.

In preferred embodiments, to make the method of provide consumer personalized personal care route easier, the microbiome abundance data of said samples may be classified to 3 to 50, preferably 8 to 25, even more preferably 10 to 20 groups according to the similarity of the microbiome abundance data. Thus, the one or more specific personal care ingredients is correlated with specific group of the microbiome abundance data of said samples.

consumer,

In step (b) of the method of the invention, a sample of the skin microbiome is preferably collected from a skin surface of the consumer in a non-invasive manner. Typically, this involves the use of a sterile cotton tip swab, which is rolled over the surface of the skin using moderate pressure and circular motions.

Preferably, the sample of the skin microbiome is collected at the retail point of sale.

The skin surface of the consumer is preferably a facial skin surface such as one or more of forehead, periorbital, cheek, perioral, chin, and nose skin surfaces.

Step (c) determi nine the microbiome abundance data of said sample.

Preferably, prior to nucleic acid sequencing, the step of determining microbiome abundance data comprises the step of obtaining nucleic acid, preferably DNA. The step of determining microbiome abundance data preferably comprises the step nucleic acid sequencing. Preferably, the step of determining microbiome abundance data comprises the step of obtaining nucleic acid, preferably DNA, and step of nucleic acid sequencing.

Preferably, sequencing method may comprise whole genome sequencing, next generation sequencing, Sanger- sequencing, 16S rDNA sequencing, 16S rRNA sequencing, metagenomics sequencing, and/or metatranscriptomics sequencing. More preferably, the sequencing method is 16S rDNA sequencing and/or 16S rRNA sequencing.

Preferably, step (c) of the method of the invention comprises the step of obtaining the DNA from the sample of the skin microbiome and analysing the obtained DNA using a portable qPCR thermocycler.

During DNA extraction, efficient lysis of the microbial cell wall is important to obtain an optimum yield of DNA from the sample of the skin microbiome. Cell lysis methods include physical (heat), mechanical (sonication, bead-beating), chemical (pH, detergents), and enzymatic disruption of the microbial cell wall, and different methods are often combined. A portable qPCR thermocycler suitable for use in the invention generally includes a housing, an amplification (or PCR) module, and a detection module. The amplification module is configured to receive an input sample and defines a reaction volume. The amplification module includes a heater such that the amplification module can perform a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on the input sample. The detection module is configured to receive an output from the amplification module and a reagent formulated to produce a signal that indicates a presence of a target amplicon within the input sample. The amplification module and the detection module are integrated within the housing.

Preferred portable qPCR thermocyclers for use in the invention are of a size that can be held in one hand of a human operator.

Preferred portable qPCR thermocyclers for use in the invention weigh no more than 3.5 kg, more preferably no more than 3 kg, such as from 0.4 to 2.5 kg.

Portable qPCR thermocyclers suitable for use in the invention are commercially available, such as the Franklin™ (Biomeme Inc., Philadelphia, USA) which weighs less than 1kg and can test biological samples without the need for centrifugation, the use of frozen reagents, or a mains power source. The device is capable of multiplex detection of up to three targets in each sample, where nine samples can be tested in a single run and results are delivered in less than an hour. Other commercially available portable qPCR thermocyclers which may be used in the invention include the Mic qPCR cycler (Bio Molecular Systems Pty Ltd., Upper Coomera, AU) and the Liberty16 system (Ubiquitome Ltd, Auckland, NZ)

Preferably, the microbiome abundance data comprises the microbiome abundance of a panel of microorganism comprises strains of at least Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, more preferably at least 7 of the following genera/species: (i) Acinetobacter spp., (ii) Corynebacterium spp., (iii) Cutibacterium acnes, (iv) Lactobacillus spp., (v) Staphylococcus epidermidis, (vi) Staphylococcus hominis, (vii) Staphylococcus capitis and (viii) Streptococcus spp.

Ideally, the microbiome abundance data comprises the microbiome abundance of strains of 8 different skin microorganisms, representing each of the following genera/species: (i) Acinetobacter spp., (ii) Corynebacterium spp., (iii) Cutibacterium acnes, (iv) Lactobacillus spp., (v) Staphylococcus epidermidis, (vi) Staphylococcus hominis, (vii) Staphylococcus capitis and (viii) Streptococcus spp.

Preferably step (c) comprises determining the microbiome abundance data and the capability to produce personal care ingredients of said sample. The capability to produce certain ingredient by the microbiome may be determined by multiplying abundance of the measured microorganisms by the average presence of the biosynthetic module of said microorganisms. The presence of biosynthetic module in said microorganisms may be defined from genome sequences or public database on microbial metabolites.

Preferably, the microbiome data of said sample is uploaded for comparison, preferably through wired or wireless communication interfaces such as USB, Bluetooth® and/or Wi-Fi.

Preferably, the comparing step is conducted by a program. Preferably, the step of comparing the microbiome abundance data with the reference database identifies the sample or group in the database which has the closest microbiome abundance data as the sample of the consumer.

Step (e) providing a personalized personal care routine for said consumer based on the result of the comparison

Preferably step (e) is executed within 90 minutes and more preferably within 40 minutes of receipt of the sample of the skin microbiome in step (b).

A personalized personal care routine may, for example, recommend the topical administration of a cosmetic composition which is designed for the consumer according to the result of the comparison. Typically, if the capability of the specific microbiome to produce personal care ingredients is lower than a threshold, a cosmetic composition containing the specific personal care ingredients or ingredients with similar bio-efficacy to which the microbiome has the capability to produce would be recommended.

Accordingly, a topical cosmetic composition for use in the invention may comprise one or more specific ingredients in a cosmetically acceptable vehicle. The specific personal care ingredients may comprise skin hydration active, anti-inflammation active, skin barrier active, skin renewal active, anti-ageing active, depigmentation active, antiacne active, anti-dandruff active, anti-hair fall active, deodorants actives or a combination thereof. Preferably, the specific personal care ingredients comprise amino acids, vitamins, fatty acids, minerals, alpha hydroxyl acid, beta hydroxyl acid, carbohydrates, carboxylic acid, glycosaminoglycan, sphingolipids, humectants, steroids, peptides, polyamine, antioxidants, and/or precursor thereof. Precursor as used herein refers to a compound capable of being converted into the active undergo one to three steps reaction and suitable for personal care use.

Mixtures of any of the above-described materials may also be used.

A topical cosmetic composition for use in the invention may additionally include one or more personal care actives which are designed to target specific skin attributes of the consumer, based on the image analysis or consumer desire described above. Examples of such personal care actives include vitamins, minerals and/or antioxidants, emollients, skin brightening agents, sunscreens, anti-irritants, exfoliating agents and mixtures thereof.

The term “cosmetically acceptable” means that the vehicles suitable for topical application to the skin, has good aesthetic properties, is compatible with any other ingredients, and will not cause any safety or toxicity concerns.

The vehicle may comprise an aqueous phase, an oil phase, an alcohol, a silicone phase, or a mixture thereof, and may be in the form of an emulsion. Emulsions can have a range of consistencies including thin lotions (which may also be suitable for spray or aerosol delivery), creamy lotions, light creams, and heavy creams.

Topical cosmetic compositions for use in the invention may also be formulated in a single-phase carrier such as water and/or one or more water miscible organic liquids.

Topical cosmetic compositions for use in the invention may also be formulated in solid forms such as gels or sticks.

Combinations of any of the above-described product forms may also be used. It is also preferable that a profile of the consumer’s skin microbiome is also provided to the consumer, preferably at the retail point of sale. The profile may indicate imbalances in the consumer’s skin microbiome, preferably, a list of one or more specific ingredients which are needed for the consumer according to the result of the comparison of the microbiome composition data of the tested consumer with those in the database is also provided to the consumer.

Claims

1. A method for providing skin analysis and personalized personal care information based on that analysis to a consumer, the method comprising:

(a) building a reference database by linking the microbiome abundance data to the capability to produce one or more specific personal care ingredients through metabolism, wherein the capability is determined by multiplying abundance of the measured microorganisms by the average presence of the biosynthetic module of said microorganisms;

(b) receiving a sample of the skin microbiome, which is collected from a skin surface of the consumer;

(c) determining the microbiome abundance data of said sample;

(d) comparing the microbiome data with the reference database; and

(e) providing a personalized personal care routine for the consumer based on the result of the comparison.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein step (a) comprises the step of (a1) obtaining samples of the skin microbiomes, collected from a skin surface of N individuals, wherein N is at least 20; (a2) determining the microbiome abundance data of said samples; and (a3) correlating the microbiome abundance data with the capability to produce one or more specific personal care ingredients.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the microbiome abundance data comprises the microbiome relative abundance of strains of 8 different skin microorganisms, representing each of the following genera/species: (i) Acinetobacter spp., (ii) Corynebacterium spp., (iii) Cutibacterium acnes, (iv) Lactobacillus spp., (v) Staphylococcus epidermidis, (vi) Staphylococcus hominis, (vii) Staphylococcus capitis and (viii) Streptococcus spp.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims where the specific personal care ingredients comprise skin hydration active, anti-inflammation active, skin barrier active, skin renewal active, depigmentation active, anti-ageing active, antiacne active, anti-dandruff active, anti-hair fall active, deodorants actives or a combination thereof.

5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the specific personal care ingredients comprise amino acids, vitamins, fatty acids, minerals, alpha hydroxyl acid, beta hydroxyl acid, carbohydrates, carboxylic acid, glycosaminoglycan, sphingolipids, humectants, steroids, peptides, polyamine, antioxidants, or precursor thereof.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the sample of the skin microbiome of the consumer is preferably collected at the retail point of sale.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the skin surface of the consumer is preferably a facial skin surface.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein step (c) of comprises the step of obtaining the DNA from the sample of the skin microbiome and analyzing the obtained DNA using nucleotide sequencing, microarray, qPCR or LAMP methods, Preferably the extracted DNA is analyzed by qPCR thermocycler.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the step (e) is executed within 90 minutes and more preferably within 40 minutes of receipt of the sample of the skin microbiome in step (b).

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the personalized personal care routine is to recommend the topical administration of a cosmetic composition which is designed for the consumer according to the result of the comparison.

11. The method according to claim 10 wherein the cosmetic composition comprises one or more specific ingredients in a cosmetically acceptable vehicle.

12. The method according to claim 11 wherein the specific personal care ingredients comprise skin hydration active, anti-inflammation active, skin barrier active, skin renewal active, antiageing active, depigmentation active, antiacne active, anti-dandruff active, anti-hair fall active, deodorants actives or a combination thereof, preferably the specific personal care ingredients comprise amino acids, vitamins, fatty acids, minerals, alpha hydroxyl acid, beta hydroxyl acid, carbohydrates, carboxylic acid, glycosaminoglycan, sphingolipids, humectants, steroids, peptides, polyamine, antioxidants, or precursor thereof.