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Samia Almoughrabie, Postdoctoral Researcher in Dermatology, University of California, San Diego

Acne bacteria trigger cells to produce fats, oils and other lipids essential to skin health – new research

There's more to the bacterium _Cutibacterium acnes_ than meets the eye. Youngoldman/iStock via Getty Images Plus

The skin is the largest organ of the body, and it plays a crucial role as the first line of defense against pathogens and insults from the external environment. It provides important functions like temperature regulation and moisture retention. And despite the misconception that lipids harm your skin by causing oiliness and acne, they actually play a vital role in maintaining the skin barrier.

Lipids – organic compounds that include fats, oils, waxes and other types of molecules – are essential components of the outermost layer of skin. Changes to the skin’s lipid composition can disrupt its ability to function as a protective barrier, leading to a range of skin diseases, including eczema and psoriasis.

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