Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is a chronic inflammatory disease that impacts 204 million globally. It is characterized by dryness, itching, and irritation of the skin caused by reduced moisture retention and increased susceptibility to irritants, commonly Staphylococcus aureus. While some find success in treating the disease with topical corticosteroids, those treatments generally come with side effects, such as skin thinning, acne, and skin pigmentation changes. While these treatments aim to reduce inflammation and symptoms, they do little to support the skin’s microbiome. Staphylococcus epidermidis supports skin health, but is under-represented in individuals with eczema, making it a safe and effective chassis for an engineered AD treatment. We will enhance this bacteria’s synthesis of polysaccharide intercellular adhesin (PIA), a major contributor to a biofilm that helps retain moisture and create a healthy skin barrier, by inserting a plasmid with the icaADBC operon (which codes for PIA synthesis) into S. epidermidis. This will help restore the skin barrier by simultaneously increasing PIA synthesis, antimicrobial peptide production (which fights S. aureus overgrowth), and nutrient availability. The biofilm formed by PIA will allow the skin to retain these nutrients and lipids. This engineered bacteria will be formulated into a cream that heals damaged skin directly, and fights underlying causes by increasing water and nutrient retention.