Promotes over-colonization of Propionibacterium acnes bacteria in skin ==► Inflammatory acne flare-up
P. acnes is found on the surface of everybody's skin. Their controlled numbers are an important part of the skin's defense mechanism
An over-supply of sebum serves as a nutritional source to enlarge colonies of acne-causing bacteria. Proliferation of these bacteria (such as P. Acnes) and their excrement can stimulate an inflammatory reaction seen as an acne flare-up, which presents a reinforcing loop by promoting the increased production of sebum to further feed the bacteria.
P. acnes stimulates the production of several inflammatory cytokines (E.g. IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, TNFα, GM-CSF, αMSH) by keratinocytes, sebocytes and macrophages
