The wellness industry has seen a rise in conversations surrounding the gut microbiome and the many ways people can improve theirs, illuminating the power of probiotics. Scientific evolution never stops and now there is a new focus at the forefront of probiotics. Receiving recognition for the critical role it plays in the health of the body’s largest organ, the skin microbiome has been given the spotlight by the brand Biojuve, producing a topical application of live microbes that results in a one-of-a-kind solution for a vast pool of skin concerns.
The skin microbiome is a complex environment inhabiting trillions of microorganisms including fungi, viruses, and bacteria, both the good and the bad. Balance between the two is key to protecting the skin from pathogens that can lead to unwanted skin conditions and concerns such as acne and eczema. Effects from such pathogens can result in premature skin aging, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, as well as skin sensitivities that could otherwise be avoided. A compromised skin microbiome only makes it more likely for these outcomes to occur.
The skin health brand Biojuve has introduced a one of a kind serum, the Living Biome Essentials Duo, gaining its individuality from the patented Xycrobe™ technology inhabiting skin probiotics. The serum is the star player in the brand’s six step routine, which encompasses four products in the morning and two at night. Formulated by scientists and backed by dermatologists, this regimen stands as a holistic approach to healthy skin while leading with science.
Biojuve refrains from calling their products skincare because instead of applying ingredients onto the skin and hoping for product penetration, the technology in their serum introduces the correct microbes to nurture a healthy microbiome and naturally produce “antioxidants, proteins, polypeptides, [and] fatty acids,” Biojuve states on their website. They simply take a more effective shortcut to skin health and longevity that is working continuously.
The other products in the line such as their Conditioning Cleanse, Biome Support Complex, Hydrating Barrier Cream, and Sheer Finish SPF 50+ Sunscreen, making up the morning routine, act as prebiotic and postbiotic care as well as supported protection to the living probiotic serum. The probiotics will then be applied at night following the cleanser.
Because this serum is nothing ordinary, there was a lot to consider when pioneering it through production. The probiotics come in a duo set featuring the serum, containing the probiotic cutibacterium acnes, and the activating mist, to be mixed with the serum in the palm of the hand and applied together following the full directions provided by the brand. The separation of the two formulas is essential to keep the microbes alive and a maximum temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit is also recommended to protect the probiotics, separating the product from others that are only fermented.
The benefits of probiotics are for everyone, those with and without diagnosed skin conditions. Many studies have been done to test the extent at which they are beneficial. Crown Aesthetics, the owner of the patented Xycrobe technology, the active ingredient in the Biojuve serum, conducted a study asking about improved skin texture, tone, health, appearance, conditioning, radiancy, and vibrancy in participants after using the line for two months. The responses in agreement were in the 90th percentile.
Before and after photos after using the Biojuve regimen as seen on their website:
The Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology published an article further supporting this technology by sharing that certain strains of cutibacterium acnes can benefit the skin’s health, a bacteria that was previously thought to be only harmful to the skin. Antioxidant activity was observed as well as visible improvement in the skin from their study.
Crown Aesthetics took their research a step further when observing how topical probiotics could speed up the skin’s recovery from aesthetic treatments. Clients only using the Biojuve skin regimen compared to ones that were not saw a profound difference in the recovery and healing of their skin after microneedling sessions with the companies very own SkinPen® Precision microneedling device. Not only were improved treatment results observed but also a faster recovery of symptoms such as “erythema, swelling, burning/tingling, and itching,” Crown Laboratories said. This research has opened doors for the possibilities of microbiome care in the field of dermatology. A key contributor to the progression of this research has been Biojuve founder, Thomas Hitchcock, PhD, the leader of the passion and innovation behind Biojuve.
Hitchcock has had a longstanding interest in microbes and their abilities, writing his doctoral dissertation on the microbe deinococcus radiodurans, illuminating the survival abilities of microbes and the possible advantages they could have for humans. Going on to pursue dermatology, he describes feeling disappointed by where product formulation was and the inability for many products to actually penetrate the dermis due to their molecular size.
“It’s no wonder that countries like the United States have the highest levels of inflammatory skin issues… because we try to solve problems and then we create other problems by solving those problems,” Hitchcock said. Biojuve begins with the skin’s physiology, microbes naturally being a part of it, to act as an anti-inflammatory solution that works to create balance in the skin and deliver effective ingredients.
He goes on to explain how different microbes perform different functions that the skincare industries’ most popular ingredients, such as retinols, chemical exfoliators, hydrators, moisturizers, and more, are famous for doing. “If you balance the microbes properly, and then protect them, you don’t really need all of the fancy ingredients,” Hitchcock said.
In our discussion, Hitchcock referenced his research on the efficacy of topical probiotics, specifically to improve skin conditions. He tested the use of microbes currently living on the skin to manage psoriasis. He saw a need in the market and found that microbes were effective with less side effects than current treatments.
“What we were doing was taking the microbe, inserting a human gene into the microbe so that it expressed that human gene that was deficient in the psoriasis, and we found that it worked,” Hitchcock said. This was just the beginning of a fascinating discovery. “What we found was that the microbe itself actually lowered the inflammation as well,” he continued, a turning point in their research that led to the Biojuve regimen today.
I was fortunate enough to try out the regimen for myself and experience the product’s benefits on my skin. I have been using the products for one month. In that time, I have given up my skincare routine and have put all of my faith in Biojuve and the power I had only heard about. The first thing I noticed upon applying the serum was how my skin looked. The serum is light but left me with a glow that night that was still there in the morning. The cleanser is so gentle and soothing and still leaves you feeling clean after. I quickly began to enjoy growing accustomed to this routine and looked forward to applying it.
I have already been able to see fine line reduction on my forehead, something that I have never been able to notice from any other product. My skin that had been oilier and more textured these past summer months has given me less issues since using the regimen. I do truly feel like I am benefiting my skin and restoring any imbalance in my microbiome since using the Biojuve products.
Caring for the skin microbiome has been fascinating to learn about and it is something I will undertake as a skincare professional and consumer.
