The skincare category that’s changing the face of beauty

As the topic of nurturing a healthy skin barrier becomes more and more mainstream, Codex Labs believes in leading the charge with research, efficacy, and results—delivering multi-tasking microbiome-focused skincare.

Invested, smart consumers (that’s YOU) are thrilled about the necessary changes happening in the beauty landscape, and we couldn’t be more excited! We’re thrilled there’s a growing demand for planet-friendly, microbiome-focused skincare taking place now more than ever.

But first, it’s important to address what microbiome-friendly skincare exactly is and why we place such a strong emphasis on this game-changing scientific approach to beauty.

What Is The Skin Microbiome

Your skin’s microbiome, sometimes called the skin flora or acid mantle, is made up of colonies of living microbes (also referred to as microorganisms/microbiota consisting of invisible bacteria, fungi, and viruses most of which are  harmless and beneficial for healthy skin). Your skin’s microbiome is a crucial component of your skin barrier, which acts as the first line of defense to protect against harmful germs, infections and external influences.

As told recently to Well+Good by Dr. Barb Paldus, Biotech Scientist & Founder of Codex Labs: “The microbiome strengthens the skin barrier and serves as the first line of defense against pathogens and infections. It communicates with our immune system to call for help during SOS situations. It minimizes damage from UV rays and environmental pollutants by taking the hit for us. It retains moisture, slows the signs of aging, and helps us heal from cuts and scrapes and burns.”

What Is Microbiome-Driven Skincare

Because maintaining your skin microbiome is crucial to skin barrier functioning and overall skin health, Codex Labs focuses on building and maintaining a healthy and thriving skin barrier. For us, skin barrier-focused skincare means nourishing skin flora and supporting microbiome diversity through the use of ingredients that help support the microbiome while reinforcing the skin barrier’s physical layer by minimizing oxidative stress and helping to reduce inflammation.  By improving skin barrier health, we reduce transepidermal water loss thereby helping skin retain its moisture so that it looks and feels soft and supple.

To get you started with a game plan on how to repair and strengthen your skin’s barrier while at the same time supporting skin’s microbiome, we’ve created a fresh, daily routine for doing so—and best of all it doesn’t break the bank, take a boat load of time to practice or a ton of space on your bathroom counter.

A microbiome-friendly skincare routine advocates a less is more beauty regimen. Our skincare approach is gentle, supportive, and simple—we believe you can make a bigger impact on your skin by using fewer, but better, products. And you end up depositing less of the packaging in the recycling bin which is good for the planet’s macrobiome!

Here are a few of our microbiome multi-taskers and how to use them.

Antü Brightening Serum Our new rejuvenating face serum protects the skin barrier and defends against exposure to airborne particulate matter pollutants. Brighten and re-densify your skin to give it a fresh, vibrant and glowing appearance. Use AM and PM, before moisturizing, to build out a fortified, soothing routine.  MyMicrobiome certified. SHOP NOW

Antü Brightening Moisturizer As featured on The Cut as a favorite moisturizer of Stephanie Shepherd, daily use of our Antü Brightening Moisturizer helps to prime the skin in order to help defend itself from environmental pollutants and irritants by reinforcing the skin’s barrier, aiding in UV recovery and refining pores. Apply after serum but before SPF usage. MyMicrobiome certified too. SHOP NOW

Bia Skin Superfood Recognized on Well+Good as a best-pick for microbiome-friendly skincare, our Skin Superfood is a head-to-toe soothing moisturizer! It’s designed to protect the skin barrier while soothing dry, flaky, irritated skin on contact. Everyday Microbiome-Friendly Beauty Hack: Use Bia Skin Superfood immediately after hand sanitizing to keep your hands from cracking and reverse the damage to your microbiome caused by their use. Another trick is to apply a thick layer overnight that acts as a mask for extra hydration. SHOP NOW

Antü Radiance Mist Spritz all over your face both before and after makeup! Use our fresh mist to restore, reinvigorate, and further protect your skin barrier while supporting your microbiome and giving your skin that oh so wonderful radiant appearance. SHOP NOW

Bia Exfoliating Wash Support your microbiome by cleansing your skin with our microbiome-supporting exfoliating wash that is free of harsh, abrasive ingredients and leaves your skin feeling and looking supple, not parched. We love that it’s gentle enough to use morning and night. Additionally, clinical results have shown that 74% of test subjects experienced a 14% decrease in trans epidermal water loss in four weeks proving that its daily use helps skin retain moisture and stay hydrated. SHOP NOW