Skin Microbiome

Understanding the skin microbiome is key to developing innovative, effective, and science‑backed cosmetic, dermatological, and personal care products. Our comprehensive skin microbiome testing platform combines advanced sequencing technologies, precise quantitative assays, and end‑to‑end scientific guidance to support your research and product development pipeline.

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DISCOVER MORE WITH STATE-OF-THE-ART DNA ANALYSIS

Comprehensive Skin Microbiome Characterization

A thorough understanding of the skin microbiome requires both detailed community profiling and precise quantitative measurements. By integrating high‑resolution sequencing with targeted qPCR‑based quantification, our approach delivers a complete picture of microbial composition, diversity, and dynamic shifts. This holistic analysis enables you to evaluate treatment effects, track microbiome stability over time, and generate robust evidence for product claims.

Advanced Microbiome Community Profiling

Our sequencing‑based analyses reveal both community structure and functional microbial shifts on the skin. Analytical features include:

Alpha diversity metrics (richness, evenness).
Beta diversity analysis to compare microbiome differences across subjects, treatments, or timepoints.
Targeted / non-targeted monitoring and mapping
In‑depth statistical evaluation for cohort studies.

Quantification of Microbiome Dynamics

To complement sequencing results, we provide targeted quantitative assays delivering high‑resolution microbiome load data. Quantitative insights include:

Total bacterial load estimation via qPCR.
Differential quantification of Staphylococci by qPCR, enabling detailed tracking of key microbial taxa.

Our solutions

HOW DOES IT WORK?

6 easy steps to improve product safety by monitoring your skin microbiome

Study Consultation & Design

Define objectives, sampling strategy, and analytical approach with our experts.

Sample Collection & Preservation

Use swabs, rinse‑offs, or tape strips with our recommended preservation buffers.

Nucleic Acid
Extraction

High‑quality DNA isolation tailored to skin‑specific sample types.

Marker Gene Sequencing & qPCR

Perform 16S rRNA sequencing and targeted quantification tests.

Bioinformatics & Statistical Analysis

Generate diversity metrics, differential abundance data, and cohort comparisons

Reporting & Interpretation

Receive a comprehensive, easy‑to‑understand report with actionable conclusions.

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Why Eurofins Genomics

End‑to‑End Workflow for Skin Microbiome Studies.

Sample handling

Optimized sample handling, including custom sample preservation buffers (available upon request).

Speed

Short turnaround times and detailed sample status tracking.

Extraction

High‑quality nucleic acid extraction from swabs, rinse‑offs, and tape strips.

Marker selection

Flexible marker gene sequencing, including full‑length 16S rRNA or V1–V3 regions, as well as alternative marker genes depending on study needs.

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Our skin microbiome solutions support a wide range of scientific, commercial, and regulatory applications

Applications for Skin Microbiome testing

Cosmetic product development

Evaluate the impact of cleansers, moisturizers, serums, or deodorants on skin microbial balance.

Dermatological research

Investigate microbiome involvement in acne, eczema, psoriasis, barrier dysfunction, and sensitive skin.

Clinical or consumer studies

Assess product efficacy, longitudinal effects, and individual variability.

Safety and claim substantiation

Generate robust evidence for microbiome‑friendly or microbiome‑balancing product claims.

Microbial risk and contamination monitoring

Identify microbial shifts caused by external stressors or treatments.

Free consulting

Speak to our Skin Microbiome experts about ideas

Our team of Skin Microbiome specialists can advise and assist you with your project and will deliver the best end-to-end service solution to meet your needs.

100 %

Don’t be afraid to think big!

Key Benefits of Our Skin Microbiome Services

Support

Comprehensive end‑to‑end support from sample collection strategy to final interpretation.

Taxonomic Insights

High‑resolution taxonomic insights through full‑length 16S sequencing and targeted analyses.

Accuracy

Quantitative accuracy with complementary qPCR load measurements.

Flexibility

Flexible and scalable workflows, suitable for small feasibility studies up to large cohorts.

Project management

Expert project management, ensuring smooth communication and high data reliability.

Comprehensive Report

Actionable reporting, enabling product optimization and clear claim justification.

Our solutions for cosmetic product development

Skin Microbiome testing with NGS and/or qPCR services

Illumina 16S V1–V3 Sequencing

This method targets the V1–V3 hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene, providing high‑resolution profiling of bacterial communities on the skin. With Illumina’s accurate short‑read technology, this approach enables reliable taxonomic identification and comparison of microbiome shifts across treatments, subjects, or skin areas.

ONT 16S Full‑Length Sequencing

Using Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT), full‑length 16S rRNA gene sequencing delivers a comprehensive view of the skin microbiome from end to end of the gene. This enables species‑level resolution, improved detection of closely related taxa, and a deeper understanding of microbial diversity and community structure..

TUF Gene Analysis via qPCR

Targeted qPCR‑based TUF gene analysis quantifies specific microbial groups with high sensitivity and precision. This method provides accurate measurements of total bacterial load or selected taxa, supporting detailed monitoring of microbiome dynamics and robust validation of product‑induced microbial changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

We support swabs, rinse‑offs, and tape strips. The best method depends on the skin area and study goals.

Yes. Our project managers provide full scientific consulting—from sample strategy to biomarker selection.

Yes, including full‑length 16S and targeted regions such as V1–V3.

We offer targeted qPCR assays, including total bacterial load and differential Staphylococcus quantification.

You will receive a clear, comprehensive report including statistics, plots, diversity analysis, and interpretation.

A microbiome‑friendly product is formulated to respect and preserve the skin’s natural microbial balance rather than disrupt it. Such products support a healthy ecosystem on the skin by maintaining microbial diversity and protecting beneficial bacteria. Our skin microbiome testing helps you verify that your formulations are gentle on the microbiome and promote overall skin harmony—enabling you to substantiate microbiome‑friendly claims with scientific confidence.

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Ask us anything about genomics along your value chain — we’re happy to help.

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Quality is important for us at Eurofins

Our products and services are produced and performed under strict quality management and quality assurance systems.

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