A ground-breaking new study delivered through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between Unilever and the University of Liverpool has revealed a potential link between the skin microbiome and psychological wellbeing – a world-first in this emerging field.
Conducted in collaboration with the University’s Microbiome Innovation Centre and Brain and Behaviour Lab, the research highlights how skin bacteria, particularly Cutibacterium, may be related to mood and stress levels. While previous studies have explored the gut microbiome’s impact on mental health, the skin, our body’s largest organ and first line of defence, has remained relatively underexplored. This study helps close that gap by focusing on microbial communities across multiple body sites, including the face, scalp, forearm, and underarm.
Published in the British Journal of Dermatology, the paper – Body-site specific associations between human skin microbiome composition and psychological wellbeing – uncovers consistent associations between elevated levels of Cutibacterium and improved psychological outcomes. For example, higher concentrations of the microbe on the face and underarm were linked to lower stress levels, while increased levels in the underarm were also associated with better mood. These findings suggest the skin microbiome may play a more significant role in supporting mental health than previously recognised.
This innovative project was supported through UKRI’s Knowledge Transfer Partnership programme – a government-funded initiative designed to support collaboration between academic institutions and industry. Through the KTP, Unilever was able to tap into world-class academic expertise at the University of Liverpool to drive innovation aligned with its Positive Beauty strategy.
Dr Carl Roberts, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University, and senior author of the study, said: “This work opens exciting new possibilities for understanding the relationship between our skin and psychological wellbeing. It provides a foundation for future research that could significantly influence product development in both health and personal care.”
Professor Steve Paterson, Co-Director of the University’s Centre for Genomics Research and Microbiome Innovation Centre, and also an academic supervisor of the KTP, added:
“I am delighted with the outcomes of this project, which have exceeded expectations. By bringing together leading academic expertise across disciplines with a global company like Unilever, we’re not only breaking new ground in microbiome science but also creating real potential to address major societal challenges. This collaboration is a model for how academia and industry can work hand in hand to deliver global health solutions.”
The research lays the foundation for a new understanding of how the skin microbiome contributes to psychological well-being and opens the door for novel approaches in skincare, health, and wellness. It also demonstrates the power of university-business collaboration in tackling real-world challenges through applied research and innovation.
This project represents another significant step forward in the University’s strategic partnership with Unilever and provides a strong platform for future innovation in health and consumer science.
The University of Liverpool’s team of researchers behind the study include Dr Carl Roberts, Professor Steve Paterson, Dr John Tyson-Carr, Dr Joy Leng and Dr Nick Fallon, bringing together expertise across microbiome science, psychology, and bioinformatics.