Microbes, mood and menopause: AI unlocks frontiers in holistic microbiome innovation

Microbiome innovation is moving beyond basic skin health claims as AI increasingly allows brands to link microbial balance to mood, aging, and overall well-being. The technology is helping uncover new biological mechanisms by analyzing vast microbial datasets, and as a result, microbiome science is increasingly creeping into various areas of innovation. 

At the same time, consumer understanding of the microbiome is maturing. Their expectations are shifting toward stronger scientific evidence around how microbes interact with emotional health and long-term skin function, leading brands to invest in research.

“We’re seeing the conversation shift from whether consumers will ‘get’ the microbiome to a much deeper understanding of what it actually does,” Jason Harcup, chief R&D officer for Beauty and Wellbeing at Unilever, tells Personal Care Insights.

To meet consumers where they are, Harcup says Unilever’s focus has been on “building the science and evidence base so microbiome concepts are explained clearly, credibly, and in ways that connect to real skin outcomes.”

Flexing tech

Unilever positions the microbiome as “one of the most promising frontiers in beauty science,” but notes that the complexity of microbial balances limits how the data can be translated into product innovation.

“From around the world, we have collected more than 30,000 samples and over five billion data points across all major body sites, adding up to an astonishing 30 terabytes worth of data — roughly the same as 7,500 HD films, or more than a year of non-stop Netflix streaming,” says Harcup.

To bridge the gap between microbiome information and its application, Unilever has turned to AI.

“AI allows us to analyze complexity at a scale that simply wasn’t possible before. It’s removing analysis bottlenecks and revealing biological patterns we could never have seen through traditional methods alone,” Harcup explains. 

AI is helping brands analyze vast microbiome datasets to innovate novel formulas.AI models can predict which ingredients are most likely to rebalance a disrupted microbiome or which microbial signatures correlate with different concerns, such as aging or dandruff.

Harcup explains that the tech enables the company to uncover “patterns and mechanisms” that were previously invisible.

He notes that microbiome data can be complex — “which is why scale, long-term investment and rigorous science are essential to translating microbiome discoveries into real consumer benefit.”

Emotional ecosystems

Consumers are moving away from viewing the pursuit of beauty and well-being as independent, leading to a convergence between the two categories. 

Consumers’ cosmetics purchasing habits are increasingly influenced by their emotional and well-being motivations. Innova Market Insights data indicates that nearly 30% of global consumers say they have spent more on beauty and personal care in the past year to uplift their mood.

According to the market researcher’s Beauty and Personal Care Survey 2025, 62% of consumers globally agreed that their beauty and personal care routine is important to their mental “wellness.”

“[Consumers] are looking for products that support physical appearance, mental well-being, and positively contribute to overall health,” says Harcup. At the intersection of these categories lies the skin-brain axis. 

Scientific advancements are enabling companies to uncover links between consumers’ skin microbiomes and their mood. 

“By advancing our scientific knowledge of the skin-brain axis, the goal is to develop holistic products that improve the well-being of our consumers, inside and out,” continues Harcup.

Microbiome science is expanding beyond skin health to shape mood.Unilever has published research in the British Journal of Dermatology that highlights the emerging link between the skin microbiome and psychological well-being. 

“We’ve also identified associations between the skin microbiome and lower stress levels and improved mood — specifically, we found that higher levels of a common skin bacterium, Cutibacterium, were linked with better psychological well-being,” Harcup says.

Higher levels of Cutibacterium on the underarm area were found to contribute to an improved mood, while the bacterium’s population on the face and underarm together was associated with lower stress. The results suggest that the microbiome serves as an entry point for brands to innovate in neuro-cosmetics. 

Resilient aging

The skin microbiome is increasingly recognized as a key factor in visible aging. According to Unilever, its research is the first of its kind to uncover how microbial balance may impact the formation of wrinkles, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation. The data reinforces the idea that the skin’s aging process is not only triggered by external factors but also by the resilience of its microbial ecosystem.

“Our newest research shows that people who appear younger have a more resilient and stable skin microbiome. In those with premature aging, we also found that the microbial community or network in those who looked older was more fragile,” says Harcup.

The study found that people who showed delayed aging had a more resilient, stable microbial community. According to Harcup, this finding may suggest that their skin is better equipped to handle environmental and physiological stresses.

Aging is increasingly linked to the stability and resilience of the microbiome.This focus on microbiome resilience is also shaping ingredient discovery strategies. Cosmax is expanding its microbiome research efforts in China after identifying a novel anti-aging yeast strain, CXCN-6, in water lily flowers.

According to the K-beauty giant, the strain can produce carotenoids and unsaturated fatty acids, which help strengthen the skin’s antioxidant defenses and reduce oxidative damage. By doing so, the yeast strain can address concerns such as fine lines, uneven tone, and a weakened skin barrier.

Midlife microbes

Microbiome research has demonstrated its relevance to mood and aging, and is now extending into menopausal care — a field heavily defined by emotional well-being and age-related physiological changes.

In the menopausal care category, O Positiv’s recent launch of Uro Metabolism + Probiotic reflects how microbiome science is used to address age-related shifts in energy, digestion, and emotional regulation.

The woman’s wellness company positions the gut microbiome as a lever for supporting women through perimenopause and menopause. According to the brand, fatigue, bloating, cravings, and weight changes are among the most commonly reported symptoms during this life stage.

“During perimenopause and menopause, hormonal shifts can slow metabolism, disrupt digestion, and contribute to bloating, cravings, and fatigue,” Dr. Roxanne Pero, on O Positiv’s medical advisory board, previously told Personal Care Insights. 

The daily supplement combines metabolic-support ingredients with a targeted probiotic blend to support energy levels, digestion, and weight management. From a microbiome perspective, the product is designed around the idea that gut health plays a central role in how women experience this transition. 

“Supporting gut health during this time can make a meaningful difference, as the gut microbiome is closely tied to metabolism, mood, and energy balance,” Pero added.

Menopause innovation benefits from microbiome science as mood and aging intersect.Beyond single-solution supplements, microbiome science is also extending into more personalized innovations that reflect the complexity of hormonal aging.

A new supplement brand, Season34, is entering the menopausal category with what it describes as a “first of its kind” care system. The brand’s debut collection of supplements is touted to support 34 of the most common signs associated with menopause and perimenopause.

The line includes gut, skin, and vaginal microbiome support, as well as mood, sleep, metabolic function, urinary balance, cardiovascular health, and bone and joint health.

“Each hormone-free blend is designed to address the unique physiological and microbiome changes that occur during this new season of life,” the brand says.

By framing menopause care as a personalized category, Season 34 signals that microbiome science can be integrated into more holistic longevity and well-being strategies.