Maintaining youthful skin as you age may be easier than you think

There are many products that consumers use on their skin as they age, but a new study suggests there may be a natural tool that can achieve the same result: a bacterium found in human blood.

According to the study published in the Journal of Natural Products, scientists have identified previously unknown molecules produced by this microbe that significantly reduce skin cell damage and inflammation, hallmarks of aging.

The study, led by Chung Sub Kim, Sullim Lee, and colleagues, explored how metabolites from the blood-dwelling bacterium Paracoccus sanguinis affect human health. While skincare routines often rely on topical treatments like serums and masks, this new research suggests that compounds originating from within the body could someday serve as powerful agents in maintaining youthful-looking skin.

The molecules of interest belong to a class known as indole compounds, which are already known for their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-aging properties. Despite their promise, the role of indole metabolites produced by bloodborne bacteria remains a scientific frontier.

“We became interested in P. sanguinis because blood-derived microbes are a relatively uncharted area of research,” Kim explained. “Given the unique environment of the bloodstream, we believed that studying individual species like P. sanguinis could reveal previously unknown metabolic functions relevant to health and disease.”

After cultivating the bacterium for three days, the research team extracted and analyzed its metabolite mix using a combination of advanced techniques, including spectrometry, isotope labeling, and computational analysis. This effort led to the identification of 12 distinct indole metabolites, six of which had never been seen before.

Fighting the signs of aging

To test their potential anti-aging benefits, the researchers applied these indole compounds to human skin cells in laboratory cultures. The cells had been pre-treated to produce high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS)—molecules that contribute to inflammation, collagen breakdown, and other aging-related damage.

Three of the 12 compounds—two of them newly identified—stood out. They not only reduced the levels of harmful ROS in the treated cells but also lowered concentrations of inflammatory proteins and a collagen-degrading enzyme, suggesting that they could preserve skin structure and function over time.

Researchers say these early results point to the possibility of using these indole metabolites as foundational ingredients in future skin treatments, potentially shifting the paradigm from external skincare products to biologically inspired therapies rooted in our own microbiome.

While more research is needed—including clinical trials and safety testing—the discovery could open new doors in the anti-aging industry, as well as expand scientific understanding of how the human microbiome, particularly in the bloodstream, influences health.