Effects of Commonly Used Vegetable Oils on Skin Barrier Function and Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm

J Oleo Sci. 2025;74(1):97-106. doi: 10.5650/jos.ess24032.

Abstract

Adding of vegetable oils to skincare products or the use of plant oils for oil care is a current trend. Therefore, the safety and functionality of vegetable oils are of great concern to consumers and cosmetics manufacturers. This study focused on three types of vegetable oils: sunflower oil (SO), andiroba oil (AO) and hydrogenated olive oil (HOO). We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the oils, which encompassed their ability to protect mouse skin keratinocytes (XB-2) and mouse fibroblasts (NIH 3T3) from damage caused by the surfactant sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), their influence on the levels of filaggrin and collagen, their potential to aid in wound healing, and their effectiveness in anti-Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation. The results showed that SO, AO and HOO at a concentration of 1.5 × 10-4 % (v/v) have the ability to defend against SLS-induced cell damage, increase wound healing ability and the filaggrin and collagen content to XB-2 or NIH 3T3 cells. SO, AO and HOO at a concentration of 3.75 × 10-3 % also have the anti-biofilm ability. Among the oils, AO can inhibit S. aureus biofilm composed of either polysaccharides or proteins. Therefore, the tested vegetable oils and can be applied to the cosmetics field as ingredients to repair damaged skin and preserve skin barrier stability.

Keywords: biofilm; cosmetics; skin barrier; sustainable alternatives; vegetable oils.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biofilms* / drug effects
  • Collagen / metabolism
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects
  • Filaggrin Proteins*
  • Keratinocytes* / drug effects
  • Mice
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Olive Oil / chemistry
  • Olive Oil / pharmacology
  • Plant Oils* / pharmacology
  • Skin* / drug effects
  • Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate / pharmacology
  • Staphylococcus aureus* / drug effects
  • Sunflower Oil
  • Surface-Active Agents / pharmacology
  • Wound Healing* / drug effects

Substances

  • Filaggrin Proteins
  • Plant Oils
  • Collagen
  • Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate
  • Sunflower Oil
  • FLG protein, human
  • Olive Oil
  • Surface-Active Agents