525 Sunscreens on the skin microbiome: Impacts on bacterial viability in the presence and absence of ultraviolet radiation

Abstract

Sunscreens are a vital tool for protecting the skin from the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR). The microbiome of the skin may play an important but poorly understood role in the susceptibility of skin to sun damage, suggesting it to be an avenue for the enhancement of future sunscreens. Despite this, the impact of sunscreens on the skin microbiome has received little research attention. We have investigated the effect of sunscreens on the viability of skin bacteria with and without exposure to UVR.