HelloBiome launches acne bacteria profiling standard for brands

HelloBiome has launched SLST, a gold-standard method for profiling Cutibacterium acnes, and is offering it to beauty and personal care brands inside its Clinical Claims Studies. The move gives brands a more defensible way to support acne and skin-longevity claims than species-level microbiome testing can provide.

Why it matters: - SLST gives skincare brands a more credible way to substantiate acne and skin-longevity claims. - The method can distinguish which Cutibacterium acnes sub-types are present, not just how much of the bacteria is on skin. - That matters because acne-prone and healthy skin can carry similar amounts of C. acnes, but different sub-types.

What happened: - HelloBiome launched SLST, or single-locus sequence typing, for use by brands in the beauty and personal care industry. - The company said the method is being offered for the first time outside academic research. - SLST is available now as an add-on within HelloBiome's Clinical Claims Studies. - HelloBiome said brands can learn more at hellobio.me or by contacting the team.

The details: - SLST is the academic gold standard for profiling Cutibacterium acnes. - The method lets brands test whether a product shifts C. acnes toward a healthier, more balanced profile. - For acne claims, the test can show whether a product changes the skin's C. acnes sub-type mix. - For longevity and anti-aging claims, the test can confirm support for healthy C. acnes sub-types rather than acne-associated ones. - Species-level microbiome testing cannot make that distinction. - HelloBiome said the offering was discussed in detail through its Microbiome Intelligence Live series, with a recording available through the company. - The company works with partners including COSMAX, Unilever, La Roche-Posay, Cocolab and OneSkin.

Between the lines: - The launch points to a broader push for more defensible microbiome claims in beauty and personal care. - HelloBiome is positioning SLST as a higher-resolution alternative to standard testing, which may help brands move from broad claims to more specific proof. - Dr. Elsa Jungman, CEO of HelloBiome, said the company is putting a rigorous academic method into the hands of brands. - Dr. Grace Park, CSO at HelloBiome, said the signal is in the sub-type and that resolving it gives brands a more specific foundation for claims.

What's next: - Brands can begin adding SLST to Clinical Claims Studies now. - The new offering is likely to be used to support acne and longevity claims with more detailed microbiome data. - HelloBiome will likely use the launch to expand awareness of its claims-testing platform across beauty and personal care.