Biotech, but make it beauty: Startups look to viruses and bacteria for the next generation of skin care

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO — The market for acne treatments is simultaneously oversaturated and sorely lacking. There are the mainstays, of course — the Proactivs and Clean & Clears of the skin care world. There are the new kids on the block, the Glossier zit sticks and K-beauty toners and manuka honey face masks. And there are the solutions that require a trip to the dermatologist, like generic Accutane and antibiotics.

But there could one day be a new option in the acne treatment arsenal: microscopic bacteria and viruses.