The aging process is reflected by changes in the skin's microbiome. Younger, more elastic skin is associated with an abundance of streptococcus bacteria. Increasing the streptococcus population on the skin upregulates the production of structural proteins, improving skin barrier function, hydration and elasticity.

Spermidine from wheat germ extract mediates the skins bacterial population, in particular the number of streptococcal bacteria species present.