Background: Sensitive skin (SS) is easily irritated by various environmental stimuli, and epidemiological surveys surprisingly find that self-perceived SS is widespread worldwide.
Objective: To investigate whether SS is linked to changes in the skin bacterial population using 16S rRNA sequencing and bioinformatic analysis.
Patients and Methods: According to both the Huaxi SS Questionnaire and Lactic Acid Stimulation Test, 60 female volunteers in Guangzhou were classified into normal skin (NS) and SS groups. Skin barrier parameters were assessed by the CK skin tester. The DNA of the bacterial flora on the facial skin surface was extracted and was subjected to 16S rRNA sequencing.
Results: The skin hydration was significantly lower in the SS group compared to the NS group (P =0.032). Based on 16S rRNA sequencing and bioinformatic analysis, the number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) significantly decreased in the SS group (P =0.0235, SS vs NS). The relative abundance of Neisseriaceae  in SS group decreased significantly (P < 0.05, SS vs NS), while that of Neisseria  (within the Neisseriaceae  family) increased significantly (P < 0.05, SS vs NS).
Conclusion: SS is accompanied by a decrease in species diversity and richness, which may be relevant to the weakening of the microbial barrier (due to the increase of Neisseria  or the decrease of Neisseriaceae ). Thus, corresponding treatment for Neisseriaceae  may be a new idea in the treatment of SS.
Keywords: sensitive skin, 16S rRNA sequencing, bacterial, skin microbiome, skin barrier