Let’s talk about the invisible world on your skin. The skin microbiome, once a fringe topic, is now rightfully playing a much bigger role in how consumers choose their skincare and how brands develop it. And with good reason. This microscopic ecosystem has a major impact on how skin behaves, reacts, and responds. 

What’s remarkable is how unique this ecosystem is. No two people share the same skin microbiome, and its balance can be disrupted by everything from climate and diet to sleep, stress, and the skincare we use. 

As researchers in our field continue to uncover its influence, brands are facing a new challenge: how to develop microbiome-conscious skincare that’s not only effective and gentle but also commercially viable and compliant with cosmetic regulation. Our various expert beauty teams at THG LABS are proud to be helping shape the next generation of skincare. We bring together the science, the scale, and the strategy to turn microbiome-conscious concepts into products people trust and love to use. 

Understanding the Skin Microbiome: What It Means for Skincare Product Development  

The skin microbiome is the living, breathing layer of microbes that helps keep skin balanced and resilient. Skin flora or skin microbiota, as it’s also known, is an extraordinary natural network made up of bacteria, yeasts, and other microorganisms that work with your skin - not against it - and are essential to keep things running smoothly. 

For brands, that means a shift in mindset. Skincare, which was once about scrubbing everything away, has become about supporting what’s already there. Rather than antibacterial products, use gentle cleansers with added prebiotics that can help to encourage the speedy return or recovery of our diverse microbiome post cleanse. Think barrier support, pH balance, hydration, and calm, comfortable skin. 

Microbiome-aware skincare doesn’t promise to “fix” or “treat.” Instead, it’s designed to: 

• Maintain a healthy-looking complexion 
• Protect the integrity of the skin barrier 
• Reduce visible signs of dryness or irritation 
• Help skin feel comfortable, not tight or stressed 

From a formulation point of view, that means: 

• No harsh surfactants or over-engineered preservatives 
• Skin-aligned pH (around 4.5–5.5) 
• Barrier-boosting lipids and humectants 
• Ingredients inspired by nature’s own balance, like ferments and prebiotic sugars 

These formulation principles are baked into how our chemists build every skincare formula. 

Formulating for Microbiome Support: What It Actually Looks Like 

In my role as Head of Product Innovation, developing microbiome-conscious skincare means thinking about the whole formula rather than simply focussing on the trendy active on the front of pack. It’s about ingredient synergy, texture, packaging, preservation, and how it feels in the hands of the user. 

1. Smart, Skin-Aligned Ingredients 

We leverage proven, skin-friendly ingredients like: 

• Glycerine, betaine, polyglutamic acid for hydration 
• Ceramides, squalane, fatty acids for barrier care 
• Biocompatible emollients that soften without clogging 

These are the workhorses that keep skin feeling good and looking fresh. 

2. Fermented and Postbiotic Actives 

We love a good ferment! The right ingredient can offer antioxidant and skin-soothing benefits, perfect for comfort-led claims like “boosts radiance” or “visibly calms the skin.” 

3. Gentle Preservation That Still Works 

Less preservative doesn’t mean less protection. We use a mix of milder systems, packaging design, and formulation architecture to meet safety standards without overwhelming the skin’s surface. 

4. Sensory Still Matters 

Formulas that support the microbiome shouldn’t feel clinical. As with every product we develop, we design with texture in mind. Think: 

• Fragrance-free or softly scented 
• Smooth, non-sticky finishes 
• Carefully considered stabilisers for texture that holds 

Formulation is about efficacy but it’s also about experience and we never forget that. 

Manufacturing Microbiome-Aware Skincare at Scale 

Once the formula’s right, we bring it to life in our ISO 22716 GMP-certified beauty manufacturing facilities.  

As a full-service private label cosmetics manufacturer, we specialise in transforming concepts into commercial reality. And are set up to handle: 

• pH-sensitive, low-preservative formulations 
• Full-scale production across a range of formats 
• Packaging compatibility for active-rich formulas 

Behind the Scenes: What We Focus On  

• Constant monitoring for quality 
• Cool-down additions for postbiotic integrity 
• Low-shear mixing to protect sensitive actives 
• Airless or mono-dose packaging to reduce oxidation and maintain hygiene 
• Rigorous PET and hygiene controls to keep products safe from start to finish 

Our expert in-house beauty Regulatory team, has vast experience and is on-hand to support all our customers with claims and pack copy. So, if you want to say: 

• “Formulated to support skin’s natural balance” 
• “Suitable for sensitive skin” 
• “Tested for microbiome compatibility” 

Our cosmetic compliance specialists will make sure you’ve got the evidence and documentation to back it up. 

Real Skin, Real Concerns: Meeting People Where They Are 

Microbiome science can be complex, but its impact is deeply personal. People are looking for products that help them feel comfortable in their skin. 

We help brands build formulas that respond to real, relatable skin behaviours. 

Balancing Oily or Congested Skin to leave it feeling fresh not stripped 

• Lightweight gels or emulsions 
• Gluconolactone (PHA) for gentle resurfacing 
• Moisture-focused ingredients that won’t clog pores 

Soothing and supporting dry, sensitive, or easily disrupted skin 

• Ceramide-rich barrier creams 
• Ferments for comfort and glow 
• Fragrance-free, minimalist formulations 

Calming the appearance of redness and comforting reactive skin 

• Beta-glucan, panthenol, madecassoside 
• Gentle preservation and low-pH emulsions 

These kinds of cosmetic formulations connect with consumers who want beauty products that truly understand the needs of their skin.  

Getting Claims Right: Clarity Over Hype 

Microbiome claims can be a minefield. That’s why our R&D and Regs team work so hard at keeping everything compliant, and crystal clear. 

Our regulatory and claims support includes: 

• In vitro testing for surface compatibility 
• Consumer testing for feel and performance 
• Artwork and copy review for global markets 
• Claims development rooted in science, not guesswork 

All this feeds into the confidence we’re able to give our customers, from concept to copy.  

Building Skincare That Works With Skin 

Greater understanding of the importance the skin microbiome plays in the health and happiness of our skin has generated a shift in how we create, test, and talk about skincare. For brands, it’s an opportunity to lead with science, responsibility, and relevance. 

At THG LABS, we help you do exactly that. We bring ideas to life with expert formulation, scalable manufacturing, and built-in compliance. 

Whether you’re developing your first microbiome-aligned line or refining an existing range, we’re here to help you move fast, move smart, and move with the skin rather than against it. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 
Kristal Goodman  
Head of Product Innovation, THG LABS  

With over 25 years’ experience in the beauty industry and UK cosmetics manufacturing, Kristal Goodman has cultivated a unique blend of scientific expertise, creative vision, and strategic thinking to spearhead what are recognised as some of the beauty industry’s most much-loved, must-have products.   

In her role as the Head of Product Innovation, Kristal’s influence is best demonstrated in THG LABS dedication to pushing boundaries. She is the driving force behind the integration of upcycled ingredients, advanced biotechnology, and other impactful emergent global beauty trends that ensure THG LABS remains at the cutting-edge of beauty innovation. Her knowledge of actives and their benefits is encyclopaedic which fuels her talent for translating ingredient ideas and science into concepts that give each product a formula and a story consumers fall in love with. for formulating sustainably 

A member of THG LABS Eco Leadership Team and a devoted advocate, Kristal adopts a holistic approach to product development, believing that truly innovative beauty products are those that address the multifaceted needs of today’s consumers while better respecting the world around us.