The cutaneous microbiome: microbial remodeling of the skin lipid landscape

The human skin microbiome exists within a lipid-rich environment that profoundly shapes microbial colonization, metabolism, and interactions with the host. Resident microbes not only consume host-derived lipids for energy but also transform them into bioactive compounds that influence microbial competition, immune responses, and skin barrier function. In turn, microbially generated lipids become part of the skin lipid landscape, including short-chain fatty acids and cell envelope lipids, and contribute to maintaining homeostasis or, in some cases, influence disease processes such as acne and atopic dermatitis. Despite increased recognition of their importance, the diversity, origins, and bioactivities of microbially derived lipids on skin remain underexplored. Here, we highlight recent advances in understanding how cutaneous microbes shape and are shaped by the skin lipid landscape, emphasizing the potential of microbial lipids as mediators of skin health, disease, and novel therapeutic strategies.