Prebiotic Oligosaccharides in Skin Health: Benefits, Mechanisms, and Cosmetic Applications
Prebiotic oligosaccharides have attracted significant interest in dermatology and skin health due to their ability to modulate the skin microbiome and microbiota–host interactions. This review offers a novel dual perspective, systematically examining the benefits of both oral intake and topical appl...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Antioxidants |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/14/6/754 |
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| author | Meijun Zeng Yang Li Jie Cheng Jingyu Wang Qiyu Liu |
| author_facet | Meijun Zeng Yang Li Jie Cheng Jingyu Wang Qiyu Liu |
| author_sort | Meijun Zeng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Prebiotic oligosaccharides have attracted significant interest in dermatology and skin health due to their ability to modulate the skin microbiome and microbiota–host interactions. This review offers a novel dual perspective, systematically examining the benefits of both oral intake and topical application of prebiotic oligosaccharides, including well-established prebiotics (e.g., human milk oligosaccharides, galacto- and fructo-oligosaccharides) and emerging prebiotic candidates (e.g., gluco-oligosaccharides, chitosan-oligosaccharides, agaro-oligosaccharides). First, cutting-edge synthetic processes for producing diverse oligosaccharides and their structural chemistry are introduced. Then, we discuss in vitro studies demonstrating their efficacy in promoting skin commensals, inhibiting pathogens, and conferring protective effects, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-melanogenic, and wound-healing properties. Furthermore, we emphasize in vivo animal studies and clinical trials revealing that prebiotic oligosaccharides, administered orally or topically, alleviate atopic dermatitis, enhance skin hydration, attenuate acne, and protect against photo-aging by modulating skin–gut microbiota and immune responses. Mechanistically, we integrate genetic and molecular insights to elucidate how oligosaccharides mediate these benefits, including gut–skin axis crosstalk, immune regulation, and microbial metabolite signaling. Finally, we highlight current commercial applications of oligosaccharides in cosmetic formulations while addressing scientific and practical challenges, such as structure–function relationships, clinical scalability, and regulatory considerations. This review bridges mechanistic understanding with practical applications, offering a comprehensive resource for advancing prebiotic oligosaccharides-based skincare therapies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4b6626fe0b7945c8b0e25836efd81464 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2076-3921 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Antioxidants |
| spelling | doaj-art-4b6626fe0b7945c8b0e25836efd814642025-08-20T02:24:30ZengMDPI AGAntioxidants2076-39212025-06-0114675410.3390/antiox14060754Prebiotic Oligosaccharides in Skin Health: Benefits, Mechanisms, and Cosmetic ApplicationsMeijun Zeng0Yang Li1Jie Cheng2Jingyu Wang3Qiyu Liu4Meat Processing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, ChinaMeat Processing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, ChinaMeat Processing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, ChinaNational and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Energy Plant Biofuel Preparation and Utilization, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Biorefinery, School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaPrebiotic oligosaccharides have attracted significant interest in dermatology and skin health due to their ability to modulate the skin microbiome and microbiota–host interactions. This review offers a novel dual perspective, systematically examining the benefits of both oral intake and topical application of prebiotic oligosaccharides, including well-established prebiotics (e.g., human milk oligosaccharides, galacto- and fructo-oligosaccharides) and emerging prebiotic candidates (e.g., gluco-oligosaccharides, chitosan-oligosaccharides, agaro-oligosaccharides). First, cutting-edge synthetic processes for producing diverse oligosaccharides and their structural chemistry are introduced. Then, we discuss in vitro studies demonstrating their efficacy in promoting skin commensals, inhibiting pathogens, and conferring protective effects, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-melanogenic, and wound-healing properties. Furthermore, we emphasize in vivo animal studies and clinical trials revealing that prebiotic oligosaccharides, administered orally or topically, alleviate atopic dermatitis, enhance skin hydration, attenuate acne, and protect against photo-aging by modulating skin–gut microbiota and immune responses. Mechanistically, we integrate genetic and molecular insights to elucidate how oligosaccharides mediate these benefits, including gut–skin axis crosstalk, immune regulation, and microbial metabolite signaling. Finally, we highlight current commercial applications of oligosaccharides in cosmetic formulations while addressing scientific and practical challenges, such as structure–function relationships, clinical scalability, and regulatory considerations. This review bridges mechanistic understanding with practical applications, offering a comprehensive resource for advancing prebiotic oligosaccharides-based skincare therapies.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/14/6/754non-digestible oligosaccharidespathogen inhibitionskin diseasesskin barrier functioncommercial cosmetics |
| spellingShingle | Meijun Zeng Yang Li Jie Cheng Jingyu Wang Qiyu Liu Prebiotic Oligosaccharides in Skin Health: Benefits, Mechanisms, and Cosmetic Applications Antioxidants non-digestible oligosaccharides pathogen inhibition skin diseases skin barrier function commercial cosmetics |
| title | Prebiotic Oligosaccharides in Skin Health: Benefits, Mechanisms, and Cosmetic Applications |
| title_full | Prebiotic Oligosaccharides in Skin Health: Benefits, Mechanisms, and Cosmetic Applications |
| title_fullStr | Prebiotic Oligosaccharides in Skin Health: Benefits, Mechanisms, and Cosmetic Applications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prebiotic Oligosaccharides in Skin Health: Benefits, Mechanisms, and Cosmetic Applications |
| title_short | Prebiotic Oligosaccharides in Skin Health: Benefits, Mechanisms, and Cosmetic Applications |
| title_sort | prebiotic oligosaccharides in skin health benefits mechanisms and cosmetic applications |
| topic | non-digestible oligosaccharides pathogen inhibition skin diseases skin barrier function commercial cosmetics |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/14/6/754 |
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