Application · Microbiome-friendly
Skin, scalp and intimate care that respects the skin microbiome, with prebiotic, postbiotic and ferment ingredients. Developed by CSL formulation scientists.
Guires Cosmetic Science Lab
At Guires Cosmetic Science Lab, CSL formulation chemists develop microbiome-friendly skin care, from pH-balanced cleansers to prebiotic and postbiotic moisturisers, with claims proven by in-vitro microbiome testing and skin swab studies. With more than 10 years of experience, the team develops formulas that respect the skin’s natural balance using an evidence-based approach.
Start your project with Guires CSLWhat shoppers look for now
Shoppers are learning that skin needs its microbes, and look for products that respect them.
Microbiome-friendly has become shorthand for mild, pH-balanced and low-irritation.
The claim is new, so retailers and regulators expect data behind it.
The science
Healthy skin hosts a diverse microbial community shaped by pH, oil and moisture. Products can support or disturb it.
pH & cleansing
Washing with alkaline soap raises skin pH and shifts its bacteria, as a controlled crossover study showed. Mild, pH-balanced cleansers keep the environment skin’s microbes prefer.
Prebiotics & postbiotics
A postbiotic bacterial lysate reduced eczema severity and S. aureus colonisation vs placebo in a randomised trial. Prebiotic sugars feed beneficial strains selectively.
Key actives
Chosen for each market’s ingredient rules and your target cost. Tap an ingredient marked → to read the published evidence.
Claims & evidence
The claims brands ask for most, the study that supports each one, and how strong that evidence is.
| Claim brands ask for | Typical evidence | Evidence tier |
|---|---|---|
| “Microbiome-friendly” | In-vitro microbiome impact testing | Tier 2 |
| “Respects skin pH” | pH measurement in use | Tier 1 |
| “Supports a balanced skin microbiome” | Clinical microbiome sampling | Tier 3 |
Clinical evidence
Peer-reviewed human studies behind the actives and approaches on this page. Each links to its record.
Controlled crossover · 10 adults · consecutive 4-week periods
Skin pH was higher with soap (p<0.01) and propionibacteria counts rose markedly, showing how cleanser pH shifts skin flora.
Korting HC et al. Acta Derm Venereol 1987;67(1):41–47 · PMID 2436413
Open, randomised, controlled · 40 infants
Alkaline soap raised skin pH most (+0.45 vs +0.19 for water) and removed the most surface lipid; syndets were gentler.
Gfatter R et al. Dermatology 1997;195(3):258–262 · PMID 9407174
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled · 75 people with atopic dermatitis · 30 days
Reduced eczema severity (P=0.0044), itch and sleep loss, and lowered S. aureus colonisation vs placebo.
Gueniche A et al. Br J Dermatol 2008;159(6):1357–1363 · PMID 18795916
Randomised, placebo-controlled · 60 men with moderate–severe dandruff · 56 days
Loose and adherent flakes, redness and overall clinical score improved significantly vs placebo, with a rebalanced scalp microbiota.
Oral supplement (nutricosmetic).
Reygagne P et al. Benef Microbes 2017;8(5):671–680 · PMID 28789559
These are published studies on ingredients, methods and routines, not on products we have made. A finished product needs its own testing before a claim goes on pack, and we design that study with you. See the full evidence library
Microbiome claims have no single legal definition yet. We match the wording to the strength of the evidence.
Concept spotlight
Example concepts to show the range. Every project starts from your own brief, and the finished formula belongs to you.
A cream with a bacterial lysate for dry, reactive skin.
A mild cleanser that respects skin pH and flora.
A leave-on serum that supports a balanced scalp.
Sectors
Stay ahead in microbiome-friendly with regulation updates, the latest research, ingredient spotlights, recalls and market trends, written by the Guires CSL formulation, testing, clinical and regulatory teams.
Explore market insights
FAQ
No legal one. Private certification schemes exist; we support claims with our own in-vitro and in-vivo data.
Rarely, because preservation and stability are difficult. Most products use prebiotics or postbiotic lysates.
With skin swabs and DNA sequencing, before and after use.
You do. We sign an NDA before you share your brief, and the formula and technical file are handed over at the end of the project.
Every microbiome-friendly project at Guires CSL runs inside an ISO 9001 certified quality system, with documented methods, calibrated instruments, traceable raw materials and reviewed reports, so the results behind your product can be checked and defended.
Guires CSL quality & accreditations
In their words
“Mild surfactants and a microbiome-compatible preservative system took our skin-pH cleanser from concept to prototype efficiently.”
“In-vitro microbiome testing confirmed our formula respects the skin’s natural microbial balance, giving our positioning scientific support.”
“Screening prebiotic and postbiotic ingredients for compatibility and stability narrowed our options before prototyping even began.”
“Our microbiome claims were worded precisely around the endpoints we had actually tested, so every statement is supported by data.”
Insights
Guidance from our formulation, testing and regulatory teams on the topics this page covers.
The ingredient themes shaping US skin-care briefs, and what each one means for formulation and claims.
Read articleGalactomyces, bifida and lactobacillus ferments are popular in skin care. Controlled human evidence is patchy. Here is what exists and how CSL formulation scientists use…
Read articleAmino-acid surfactants, glucosides, betaines and biosurfactants are sold as gentler than SLS. Here is what human studies show, where the evidence is thin, and how CSL…
Read articleFrom the CSL bioscience lab
Start a project
Our formulation chemists, testing scientists and regulatory specialists work alongside your team, from the first brief to a market-ready product. Bring a brief, a benchmark or just an idea: a scientist will reply within one working day with next steps and an indicative scope.
