Cutibacterium acnes
Cutibacterium acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes) is a slow-growing bacterium that is a normal resident of human skin, particularly in sebaceous (oil-secreting) follicles. It plays a complex ecological role on the skin — certain strains are associated with acne vulgaris when conditions favor overgrowth, while others appear to be benign commensals. Indexed research covers its presence in skin and surgical microbiome studies, its association with skin conditions like acne and dry eye, and exploratory work on its detection in deep tissue. This species is not a conventional probiotic; its indexed evidence does not support any health benefit claim in the context of ingestible supplementation.
Where it's been studied Tags come from a conservative keyword scan of each paper's title, abstract, and summary. A tag is research coverage, not measured effect. How we classify this →
Share of this strain's 571 body-system-tagged papers that concern each system. Research coverage, not measured effect.
Symptoms in the research A tag means the paper's text names the symptom or condition — research coverage, not evidence of benefit. How we classify this →
Share of this strain's 341 symptom-tagged papers that mention each symptom or condition. Research coverage, not evidence of benefit.
+11 more symptoms
Research Study-type filters use AI-classified labels, audited but not guaranteed — check the paper itself before leaning on one. How we classify this →
698 papers reference this strain in the probiotic database.
Discussion
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Citations
Selected papers that name this strain.
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[1]
PMID 42235049 →Randomized Controlled Study of Bacteriophages in Acne Reveals Efficacy and Novel Mechanism for Promoting Long-Term Skin Health· Journal of Drugs in Dermatology · 2026
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[2]
Source →Efficacy of Topical Propolis and Aloe vera Gel as an Adjuvant to Benzoyl Peroxide in Moderate Acne Vulgaris: A Randomized Controlled Trial· Dermatologic Therapy · 2026
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[3]
PMID 41098119 →Open‐Label, Prospective Study of a Prebiotic Gel Cream on Its Efficacy of Mild to Moderate Acne Management and Effects on the Functional Skin Microbiome· Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology · 2025
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[4]
PMID 38125668 →Topical Application of Skin Biome Care Regimen Containing Live Cultures and Ferments of Cutibacterium acnes defendens strain XYCM42 and the Impact on Clinical Outcomes Following Microneedle-induced Skin Remodeling.· PubMed · 2023
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[5]
PMID 36374551 →Characterization of a live Cutibacterium acnes subspecies defendens strain XYCM42 and clinical assessment as a topical regimen for general skin health and cosmesis· Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology · 2022
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[6]
PMID 35677920 →Development of a Topical Bacteriophage Gel Targeting Cutibacterium Acnes for Acne Prone Skin and Results of a Phase 1 Cosmetic Randomized Clinical Trial· Skin Health and Disease · 2022
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[7]
Source →Complete Draft Genome Sequence of Cutibacterium (Propionibacterium) acnes Type Strain ATCC6919· International Journal of Dermatology and Venereology · 2020
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[8]
PMID 32803100 →Reduced Bacterial Burden of the Skin Surrounding the Shoulder Joint Following Topical Protocatechuic Acid Application· JBJS Open Access · 2020
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[9]
PMID 31573666 →Safety and Efficacy of Topically Applied Selected Cutibacterium acnes Strains over Five Weeks in Patients with Acne Vulgaris: An Open-label, Pilot Study· Acta Dermato Venereologica · 2019
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[10]
PMID 134675 →Topically Applied Antibiotics in Acne Vulgaris· Archives of Dermatology · 1976