Correlation Between Urbanization and Skin Disease 

The Amorepacific R&D Center has found that higher incidence of skin diseases in more urbanized populations is due to the differences in skin microbiomes. Together with Chung-Ang University College of Biotechnology and Natural Resource, the center analyzed skin microbiomes of 231 Chinese women and announced the results through the Science Advances on March 7 (Title: Fragile skin microbiomes in megacities are assembled by a predominantly niche-based process).
 
While many city residents suffer from skin disorders including atopic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and hives, the cause for the correlation between the degree of urbanization and skin disease had not been revealed. The research was constructed to test the hypothesis that “the reason urban residents have more skin disorders compared to those who do not, is due to the ecology of skin microbiomes.” 
 
The collaborative research by Amorepacific R&D Center, Amorepacific Shanghai R&I Center and the research team from Chung-Ang University’s Department of Systems Biotechnology (led by Prof. Woo Jun Sul) tested the skin microbiomes of 231 healthy women residing in five Chinese cities with a population of more than one million: Beijing, Guangzhou, Kunming, Xi'an and Hohhot. It was found that colonies of microbiomes were more concentrated in cities that were urbanized to a higher degree (Beijing and Guangzhou) than those in the less urbanized cities (Kunming, Xi'an and Hohhot). Thus, it was proven that the main criteria in measuring urbanization – population, population density and air quality – had a significant impact on the ecological constitution of skin microbiomes. The discovery explains that the cause of higher frequency in skin diseases in city residents compared to non-city residents is the difference in the ecological structure of skin microbiomes.
 
“Finding the correlation between urbanization and skin microbiomes is special as it serves as a basis to the development of solutions for skin problems that modern city residents experience,” said Han Sang-hoon, head of Amorepacific R&D Center. “Amorepacific R&D Center will continue to conduct in-depth research to enhance accuracy in predicting skin conditions, and provide effective solutions that support the skin health of our customers worldwide.”
 
Amorepacific R&D Center’s active research in the characteristics of skin, scalp and hair conditions plays an important role in the development of the company’s new cosmetic products. Most recent studies include research in scalp microbiomes and skin microbiomes, which were both published in the academic journal Experimental Dermatology in 2017. For over 20 years, Amorepacific R&D Center has built up a database on skin, scalp, and hair characteristics from different regions and environments to develop the safest yet most effective products.