Porphyrins Explained: Tiny Molecules, Big Impact
- Sara Cole
- Sep 10
- 3 min read
Porphyrins can be analyzed with our Visia skin device before and after any treatment…but what exactly are THEY??
Porphyrins in the skin originate from two main sources: bacterial metabolism, and from porphyrias, a group of genetic disorders where excess porphyrins build up in the body due to heme biosynthesis pathway defects, causing blistering and light sensitivity. Bacterial porphyrins essentially represent the natural bacteria that live in our oil glands (some of which are linked to acne vulgaris).
These little guys are technically intermediate metabolites in the biosynthesis of vital molecules, including heme, cobalamin, and chlorophyll. Bacterial porphyrins are known to be proinflammatory, with high levels linked to inflammatory skin diseases.
Acne-associated P. acnes type 1 clades IA-2 strains produce significantly higher levels of porphyrins than do type II strains which are associated with healthy skin (Barnard et al. 2020).
While it remains to be determined by what mechanisms P. acnes utilizes porphyrins, their production seems to correlate with the disease association and virulence property of P. acnes strains in acne (Barnard et al. 2020).
To better understand the contributions of the key members of the skin microbiome to health and disease, in this study, the authors selected representative P. acnes strains from all major lineages (type I clades IA-1, IA-2, IB-1, IB-2, IB-3, and IC, type II, and type III) and quantitatively compared their porphyrin production levels (Barnard et al. 2020).
It was found that individual strains differed in their porphyrin production, type I strains consistently produced significantly higher levels of porphyrins, with an average of 2.67 μM (range, 1.4 to 4.0 μM) (Barnard et al. 2020). The authors also found that strains from the acne-associated clades IA-2, IB-1, and IC responded positively to vitamin B12 supplementation with significantly increased porphyrin production compared to that in nonsupplemented controls (clade IA-2, P = 0.038; clade IB-1, P = 0.015; clade IC, P = 0.050) (Barnard et al. 2020).
Thus, the differences in the overall abundances and ratios of multiple P. acnes strains in individuals may, in part, explain why only a subset of individuals are affected by vitamin B12-induced acne (Barnard et al. 2020).
In addition to P. acnes, which is the dominant species found on sebaceous skin, individuals also harbor other cutaneous propionibacteria, including P. granulosum, P. avidum, and P. humerusii (Barnard et al. 2020). These were all examined as well and all three strains produced low levels of porphyrins, similar to P. acnes type II and III strains, with an average porphyrin production of 0.30 μM (range, 0.14 to 0.52 μM) (Barnard et al. 2020).
Let The Sirens Summarize:
Porphyrins & Hydrafacial: Porphyrins are compounds that can be measured with a Visia skin device before and after treatments like Hydrafacials. They mainly come from two sources:
Bacterial metabolism: particularly from Cutibacterium (Propionibacterium) acnes, bacteria in oil glands linked to acne.
Porphyrias: rare genetic disorders causing porphyrin buildup due to defects in heme synthesis.
Why They Matter
Porphyrins are intermediate metabolites in vital pathways (heme, cobalamin, chlorophyll).
Bacterial porphyrins are pro-inflammatory and associated with skin conditions, especially acne.
Certain P. acnes strains (type I, especially IA-2) produce more porphyrins and are linked to acne, while type II strains are more common in healthy skin.
Vitamin B12 can increase porphyrin production in acne-associated strains, which may explain why only some people develop vitamin B12–induced acne.
Takeaway
Porphyrin levels differ between healthy and acne-prone skin and can shift with factors like strain type and vitamin B12. Measuring porphyrins before and after treatments helps track skin health and treatment effectiveness.
XOXO,
The Sirens
Reference:
Barnard E, Johnson T, Ngo T, Arora U,Leuterio G, McDowell A, Li H2020.Porphyrin Production and Regulation in Cutaneous Propionibacteria. mSphere5:10.1128/msphere.00793-19.https://doi.org/10.1128/msphere.00793-19
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