The Protocol
The Protocol
The Protocol
Introducing Our Renowned Certification Protocol for Cosmetic Products and Raw Materials
Introducing Our Renowned Certification Protocol for Cosmetic Products and Raw Materials
Introducing Our Renowned Certification Protocol for Cosmetic Products and Raw Materials
The KIND TO BIOME certification, established three years ago, has become a benchmark for companies aiming to demonstrate microbiome-friendliness in their cosmetic products and raw materials.
Our unique In-Vitro + Ex-Vivo protocol is scientifically rigorous, validated, and developed considering the current global regulatory environment. We provide over 17 panels that reflect the microbiome of various body areas, utilizing bacterial species that constitute over 90% of the microbiome in any particular region.
By integrating an Ex-Vivo phase with our In-Vitro protocol, we assess a product's impact not just on cultured bacteria but also on live species isolated from humans.
The KIND TO BIOME certification, established three years ago, has become a benchmark for companies aiming to demonstrate microbiome-friendliness in their cosmetic products and raw materials.
Our unique In-Vitro + Ex-Vivo protocol is scientifically rigorous, validated, and developed considering the current global regulatory environment. We provide over 17 panels that reflect the microbiome of various body areas, utilizing bacterial species that constitute over 90% of the microbiome in any particular region.
By integrating an Ex-Vivo phase with our In-Vitro protocol, we assess a product's impact not just on cultured bacteria but also on live species isolated from humans.
The KIND TO BIOME certification, established three years ago, has become a benchmark for companies aiming to demonstrate microbiome-friendliness in their cosmetic products and raw materials.
Our unique In-Vitro + Ex-Vivo protocol is scientifically rigorous, validated, and developed considering the current global regulatory environment. We provide over 17 panels that reflect the microbiome of various body areas, utilizing bacterial species that constitute over 90% of the microbiome in any particular region.
By integrating an Ex-Vivo phase with our In-Vitro protocol, we assess a product's impact not just on cultured bacteria but also on live species isolated from humans.
A Unique Protocol Designed with The Global Regulatory Landscape In Mind.
A Four Phase Approach:
A Unique Protocol Designed with The Global Regulatory Landscape In Mind.
A Four Phase Approach:
A Unique Protocol Designed with The Global Regulatory Landscape In Mind.
A Four Phase Approach:
A Unique Protocol Designed with The Global Regulatory Landscape In Mind.
A Four Phase Approach:
PHASE 1
Microbiological Purity
Before investigating the product’s impact on the microbiome, it's essential to verify its microbiological purity, similar to performing a challenge test. A microbiological examination will be conducted according to the ISO 17516:2014 protocol, which includes the Enumeration of Total Aerobic Microbial Count (TAMC) and Total Yeasts and Molds Count (TYMC). Successfully passing this phase qualifies the sample for further testing.
PHASE 1
Microbiological Purity
Before investigating the product’s impact on the microbiome, it's essential to verify its microbiological purity, similar to performing a challenge test. A microbiological examination will be conducted according to the ISO 17516:2014 protocol, which includes the Enumeration of Total Aerobic Microbial Count (TAMC) and Total Yeasts and Molds Count (TYMC). Successfully passing this phase qualifies the sample for further testing.
PHASE 1
Microbiological Purity
Before investigating the product’s impact on the microbiome, it's essential to verify its microbiological purity, similar to performing a challenge test. A microbiological examination will be conducted according to the ISO 17516:2014 protocol, which includes the Enumeration of Total Aerobic Microbial Count (TAMC) and Total Yeasts and Molds Count (TYMC). Successfully passing this phase qualifies the sample for further testing.
PHASE 2
Influence on Natural Flora
In the second testing phase, the product interacts with a panel of microorganisms that represent the commensal microorganisms comprising the microbiome at the specific application site. The product must not disrupt their populations. It is tested against each strain individually, marking one of our In-Vitro phases. Control samples are also examined for comparison.
PHASE 2
Influence on Natural Flora
In the second testing phase, the product interacts with a panel of microorganisms that represent the commensal microorganisms comprising the microbiome at the specific application site. The product must not disrupt their populations. It is tested against each strain individually, marking one of our In-Vitro phases. Control samples are also examined for comparison.
PHASE 2
Influence on Natural Flora
In the second testing phase, the product interacts with a panel of microorganisms that represent the commensal microorganisms comprising the microbiome at the specific application site. The product must not disrupt their populations. It is tested against each strain individually, marking one of our In-Vitro phases. Control samples are also examined for comparison.
Phase 3
Influence on Pathogenic Flora
During the third testing phase, the product is exposed to a panel of microorganisms representing opportunistic pathogens in the specific application area. These species coexist with the commensal microbes studied in Phase 2. This phase, the second and last In-Vitro phase, assesses the product against each strain individually, with control samples included. It provides insights into the product’s effects on opportunistically pathogenic microflora.
Phase 3
Influence on Pathogenic Flora
During the third testing phase, the product is exposed to a panel of microorganisms representing opportunistic pathogens in the specific application area. These species coexist with the commensal microbes studied in Phase 2. This phase, the second and last In-Vitro phase, assesses the product against each strain individually, with control samples included. It provides insights into the product’s effects on opportunistically pathogenic microflora.
Phase 3
Influence on Pathogenic Flora
During the third testing phase, the product is exposed to a panel of microorganisms representing opportunistic pathogens in the specific application area. These species coexist with the commensal microbes studied in Phase 2. This phase, the second and last In-Vitro phase, assesses the product against each strain individually, with control samples included. It provides insights into the product’s effects on opportunistically pathogenic microflora.
Phase 4
Balancing the Microbiome
The fourth and final phase is pivotal, examining the product’s influence on the overall microflora of the skin. The product is inoculated with strains from swabs taken from volunteers, assessing its impact on the relative populations of microorganisms where it is applied. The product should maintain the microbiome's biodiversity and is tested against a coculture of microorganisms. This Ex-Vivo phase allows evaluation of the product's effects on live strains from humans, not just lab-grown microorganisms. Control samples are also included for testing.
Phase 4
Balancing the Microbiome
The fourth and final phase is pivotal, examining the product’s influence on the overall microflora of the skin. The product is inoculated with strains from swabs taken from volunteers, assessing its impact on the relative populations of microorganisms where it is applied. The product should maintain the microbiome's biodiversity and is tested against a coculture of microorganisms. This Ex-Vivo phase allows evaluation of the product's effects on live strains from humans, not just lab-grown microorganisms. Control samples are also included for testing.
Phase 4
Balancing the Microbiome
The fourth and final phase is pivotal, examining the product’s influence on the overall microflora of the skin. The product is inoculated with strains from swabs taken from volunteers, assessing its impact on the relative populations of microorganisms where it is applied. The product should maintain the microbiome's biodiversity and is tested against a coculture of microorganisms. This Ex-Vivo phase allows evaluation of the product's effects on live strains from humans, not just lab-grown microorganisms. Control samples are also included for testing.
We have Protocols for All Body Areas
We have established protocols for all possible areas of cosmetic application on the skin, allowing us to effectively test all final product and raw material categories. These protocols are designed with specific and selective tests tailored to replicate real-life use conditions, ensuring comprehensive evaluation.
We have Protocols for All Body Areas
We have established protocols for all possible areas of cosmetic application on the skin, allowing us to effectively test all final product and raw material categories. These protocols are designed with specific and selective tests tailored to replicate real-life use conditions, ensuring comprehensive evaluation.
We have Protocols for All Body Areas
We have established protocols for all possible areas of cosmetic application on the skin, allowing us to effectively test all final product and raw material categories. These protocols are designed with specific and selective tests tailored to replicate real-life use conditions, ensuring comprehensive evaluation.
Oral Care
Oral Care
Oral Care
Intimate Area
Intimate Area
Intimate Area
Baby Care
Baby Care
Baby Care
armpit
armpit
armpit
Nasal
Nasal
Nasal
facial care
facial care
facial care
BODY CARE
BODY CARE
BODY CARE
makeup
makeup
makeup
scalp
scalp
scalp
Other
Other
Other
The KIND TO BIOME Certification enables the following type of claims
✓ Skin microbiome gentle
✓ Skin microbiome-friendly
✓ Does not disturb/interfere with the all-important skin microbiome
✓ Respects the natural microbiome of healthy skin
✓ Maintains the microbiome balance of healthy skin
Non-microbiome modulating claims are currently the most adequate to make regarding the microbiome, as they align with the current regulatory definition of cosmetic functions such as cleaning, perfuming, protecting, or maintaining the body’s good condition.
The KIND TO BIOME Certification enables the following type of claims
✓ Skin microbiome gentle
✓ Skin microbiome-friendly
✓ Does not disturb/interfere with the all-important skin microbiome
✓ Respects the natural microbiome of healthy skin
✓ Maintains the microbiome balance of healthy skin
Non-microbiome modulating claims are currently the most adequate to make regarding the microbiome, as they align with the current regulatory definition of cosmetic functions such as cleaning, perfuming, protecting, or maintaining the body’s good condition.
The KIND TO BIOME Certification enables the following type of claims
✓ Skin microbiome gentle
✓ Skin microbiome-friendly
✓ Does not disturb/interfere with the all-important skin microbiome
✓ Respects the natural microbiome of healthy skin
✓ Maintains the microbiome balance of healthy skin
Non-microbiome modulating claims are currently the most adequate to make regarding the microbiome, as they align with the current regulatory definition of cosmetic functions such as cleaning, perfuming, protecting, or maintaining the body’s good condition.
The In-Vitro + Ex-Vivo Approach
Our well-established protocol has been selected by leading global companies due to its scientific rigor, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. This comprehensive approach combines both In-Vitro and Ex-Vivo phases to provide a holistic evaluation of a product’s impact on the skin microbiome.
The In-Vitro component allows for rigorous testing of individual microbial strains under controlled laboratory conditions, ensuring consistency and reproducibility across different studies. It enables us to precisely assess how the product interacts with specific microorganisms, both beneficial and potentially pathogenic, providing valuable insight into its microbiome compatibility.
The Ex-Vivo Phase extends this analysis by utilizing human-derived samples, such as skin swabs from volunteers, which allows the assessment of the product's microbiome friendliness on the real microbiome of humans. This step allows us to observe the product's effect on live microorganisms, as derived from the complex environment of human skin tissue, complementing the In-Vitro phases and offering a realistic assessment.
Together, this combined approach ensures the methods are robust, repeatable, and scientifically validated, enabling rapid and confident adoption of the Microbiome Friendly claim across various product lines. It provides brands with credible, evidence-based results that meet regulatory standards and consumer expectations, streamlining the pathway to market with minimized costs and time.
The In-Vitro + Ex-Vivo Approach
Our well-established protocol has been selected by leading global companies due to its scientific rigor, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. This comprehensive approach combines both In-Vitro and Ex-Vivo phases to provide a holistic evaluation of a product’s impact on the skin microbiome.
The In-Vitro component allows for rigorous testing of individual microbial strains under controlled laboratory conditions, ensuring consistency and reproducibility across different studies. It enables us to precisely assess how the product interacts with specific microorganisms, both beneficial and potentially pathogenic, providing valuable insight into its microbiome compatibility.
The Ex-Vivo Phase extends this analysis by utilizing human-derived samples, such as skin swabs from volunteers, which allows the assessment of the product's microbiome friendliness on the real microbiome of humans. This step allows us to observe the product's effect on live microorganisms, as derived from the complex environment of human skin tissue, complementing the In-Vitro phases and offering a realistic assessment.
Together, this combined approach ensures the methods are robust, repeatable, and scientifically validated, enabling rapid and confident adoption of the Microbiome Friendly claim across various product lines. It provides brands with credible, evidence-based results that meet regulatory standards and consumer expectations, streamlining the pathway to market with minimized costs and time.
The In-Vitro + Ex-Vivo Approach
Our well-established protocol has been selected by leading global companies due to its scientific rigor, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. This comprehensive approach combines both In-Vitro and Ex-Vivo phases to provide a holistic evaluation of a product’s impact on the skin microbiome.
The In-Vitro component allows for rigorous testing of individual microbial strains under controlled laboratory conditions, ensuring consistency and reproducibility across different studies. It enables us to precisely assess how the product interacts with specific microorganisms, both beneficial and potentially pathogenic, providing valuable insight into its microbiome compatibility.
The Ex-Vivo Phase extends this analysis by utilizing human-derived samples, such as skin swabs from volunteers, which allows the assessment of the product's microbiome friendliness on the real microbiome of humans. This step allows us to observe the product's effect on live microorganisms, as derived from the complex environment of human skin tissue, complementing the In-Vitro phases and offering a realistic assessment.
Together, this combined approach ensures the methods are robust, repeatable, and scientifically validated, enabling rapid and confident adoption of the Microbiome Friendly claim across various product lines. It provides brands with credible, evidence-based results that meet regulatory standards and consumer expectations, streamlining the pathway to market with minimized costs and time.
Extensive Analysis and Findings Reporting
You will receive a detailed report for each phase, featuring assessments of the product’s impact on a wide range of reference strains that represent the key members of the target microbiome. The reports also include conclusions about the product’s microbiome-friendly properties. Moreover, the documentation offers robust, data-driven insights that can be directly applied to formulation development and optimization.
Extensive Analysis and Findings Reporting
You will receive a detailed report for each phase, featuring assessments of the product’s impact on a wide range of reference strains that represent the key members of the target microbiome. The reports also include conclusions about the product’s microbiome-friendly properties. Moreover, the documentation offers robust, data-driven insights that can be directly applied to formulation development and optimization.
Extensive Analysis and Findings Reporting
You will receive a detailed report for each phase, featuring assessments of the product’s impact on a wide range of reference strains that represent the key members of the target microbiome. The reports also include conclusions about the product’s microbiome-friendly properties. Moreover, the documentation offers robust, data-driven insights that can be directly applied to formulation development and optimization.
The Certification Process Takes Approx. 2-3 weeks.
While we collaborate closely with our clients to accommodate specific deadlines, our standard testing process is designed to be completed within 2-3 weeks. This efficient timeline has consistently been valued in our fast-paced industry, allowing for quick and reliable validation of microbiome claims.
The Certification Process Takes Approx. 2-3 weeks.
While we collaborate closely with our clients to accommodate specific deadlines, our standard testing process is designed to be completed within 2-3 weeks. This efficient timeline has consistently been valued in our fast-paced industry, allowing for quick and reliable validation of microbiome claims.
The Certification Process Takes Approx. 2-3 weeks.
While we collaborate closely with our clients to accommodate specific deadlines, our standard testing process is designed to be completed within 2-3 weeks. This efficient timeline has consistently been valued in our fast-paced industry, allowing for quick and reliable validation of microbiome claims.
SOME CLIENTS WE WORK WITH
SOME CLIENTS WE WORK WITH
SOME CLIENTS WE WORK WITH
+3600
strains analyzed
What our clients say
“KIND TO BIOME provides us with the assurance we need to know that our products are friendly to the microbiome of their target area. Whether we are formulating for babies, for the intimate area or the body, KIND TO BIOME offers us the solutions that are best tailored to our products and a certification we can rely on.”
Damien Tackney
Regulatory Officer
“The ability to carry a third party verified mark of approval on your skincare products, such as KIND TO BIOME, is the gold-standard for us and our customers. The future of skincare is rooted in skin health, and KIND TO BIOME are at the forefront of supporting that movement with accountability and transparency.”
Flo Glendenning
VP of Product & Sustainability
What our clients say
“KIND TO BIOME provides us with the assurance we need to know that our products are friendly to the microbiome of their target area. Whether we are formulating for babies, for the intimate area or the body, KIND TO BIOME offers us the solutions that are best tailored to our products and a certification we can rely on.”
Damien Tackney
Regulatory Officer
“KIND TO BIOME provided invaluable insights into understanding the microbiome and assisted us in formulating strategies around effective protocols. We utilized a combination of In Vitro, Ex Vivo, and In Vivo studies to achieve comprehensive results.”
John Milligan
VP R&D
“KIND TO BIOME provides us with the assurance we need to know that our products are friendly to the microbiome of their target area. Whether we are formulating for babies, for the intimate area or the body, KIND TO BIOME offers us the solutions that are best tailored to our products and a certification we can rely on.”
Damien Tackney
Regulatory Officer
What our clients say
“KIND TO BIOME provides us with the assurance we need to know that our products are friendly to the microbiome of their target area. Whether we are formulating for babies, for the intimate area or the body, KIND TO BIOME offers us the solutions that are best tailored to our products and a certification we can rely on.”
Damien Tackney
Regulatory Officer
“The ability to carry a third party verified mark of approval on your skincare products, such as KIND TO BIOME, is the gold-standard for us and our customers. The future of skincare is rooted in skin health, and KIND TO BIOME are at the forefront of supporting that movement with accountability and transparency.”
Flo Glendenning
VP of Product & Sustainability