Codex Labs

Codex Labs is a plant-biotechnology company based in Silicon Valley, California, focused on products that connect skin health with the skin, gut, and brain microbiomes. Its portfolio addresses conditions and concerns including acne, eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, dryness, skin-barrier damage, and excess sebum. The company combines botanical ingredients, biotechnology-derived actives, fermentation, microbiome research, and clinical testing to create topical skincare and dietary supplements for use by consumers as well as integrative dermatologists and naturopathic practitioners. Barbara Paldus founded Codex Labs in 2018. The company’s initial development objective was to create effective skincare without phenoxyethanol while preserving the native skin microbiome. In its early development, Codex Labs acquired the Irish skincare company Bia Beauty and worked with Eurofins Dermscan in Lyon, France, on experimentation and clinical trials. It also partnered with MyMicrobiome, an organization that evaluates products for their effects on the microbiome, and pursued certification for its skincare ranges as microbiome-supporting. The company introduced its first skincare products in 2019. That year it developed and patented PreservX, a fermentation-based preservation system intended to support the skin microbiome. PreservX combines edible organic acids, lactobacillus ferment, coconut-oil ferment, and biotechnology-derived propanediol. Codex Labs subsequently organized its skincare portfolio into collections with distinct skin-health objectives. Bia emphasizes hydration, water retention, and the renewal of dry skin layers. Antü focuses on the skin barrier and protection from environmental stressors, including ultraviolet exposure. Shaant targets acne-prone and oily skin through sebum control, reduction of visible redness, and support for the inflammatory processes associated with acne. Codex Labs expanded into supplements in 2023. These products are intended to address areas such as gut-barrier integrity, mucosal function, inflammation, and microbiome balance, extending the company’s skin-gut approach beyond topical products. The company describes its products as clinically tested and microbiome-friendly, and its portfolio is presented as vegan, cruelty-free, and sustainability-oriented. The company has received third-party and condition-specific recognition for parts of its portfolio. Its products were approved by the National Psoriasis Foundation in 2022 as irritation-free products considered suitable for sensitive skin affected by psoriasis. In April 2025, Bia Eczema Relief Lotion received both MyMicrobiome Standard microbiome-friendly certification and the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. In May 2025, Codex Labs received U.S. Patent No. 12,194,068 for Shaant ClearSkin Probiotic 2.0, an oral synbiotic supplement for oily and acne-prone skin. Codex Labs has also explored functional fragrance. In 2025 it began testing Cocoon in Europe as a fragrance designed to investigate mood modulation and stress reduction. The brand’s overall positioning is therefore broader than conventional cosmetics: it presents skincare, supplements, and emerging wellness products as parts of an evidence-oriented, microbiome-aware health system. Publicly available material does not establish a separate parent company, stock-market listing, or current executive roster beyond founder Barbara Paldus.

Codex Labs was founded in 2018 by Barbara Paldus in Silicon Valley, California. Its original product-development brief was to formulate skincare without phenoxyethanol while maintaining the native skin microbiome. This objective positioned the company at the intersection of botanical skincare, fermentation biotechnology, microbiome science, and clinical dermatology. During its early phase, Codex Labs acquired Bia Beauty, an Irish skincare company, and worked with Eurofins Dermscan in Lyon, France, on product experimentation and clinical trials. The company also partnered with MyMicrobiome to evaluate and certify its products as microbiome-supporting. These relationships helped Codex Labs build a product-development model based not only on botanical ingredients but also on testing intended to assess compatibility with the skin microbiome. In 2019, Codex Labs launched its first skincare products and developed PreservX, a patented biotech-ferment-based preservation system. PreservX uses four edible ingredients: organic acids, lactobacillus ferment, coconut-oil ferment, and biotechnology-derived propanediol. The ingredients were described as GRAS, or Generally Recognized As Safe, in the United States. The system was designed to preserve formulations while avoiding a conventional preservative approach that the company believed could be less compatible with the skin microbiome. The first major range was Bia, introduced in 2019 and certified by MyMicrobiome. Bia focused on deep hydration, water retention, and the turnover of dry skin layers. The BiaComplex patent was issued in 2020. In 2020, Codex Labs added Antü, another MyMicrobiome-certified collection. Antü was designed to reinforce the skin barrier, protect against environmental exposure, support epidermal density, and reduce damage associated with ultraviolet light. Patents relating to AntüComplex and a skin protectant were issued in 2021. Codex Labs introduced the cosmetic Shaant collection in 2022 and expanded the collection into over-the-counter products in 2023. Shaant was formulated for acne-prone and oily skin, with aims including sebum regulation, reduction of redness, and mitigation of acne-related inflammatory activity. The ShaantComplex patent was issued in 2022. Shaant face and body scrubs were described as the first over-the-counter acne products to receive MyMicrobiome certification. The company broadened its scope in 2023 by launching dietary supplements. These products extended the brand’s skin-gut perspective to gut-barrier integrity, mucosal function, inflammation, and microbiome balance. Codex Labs has presented its topical and ingestible products as clinically tested, microbiome-friendly, vegan, cruelty-free, and sustainability-oriented. In 2022, Codex Labs products received approval from the National Psoriasis Foundation as irritation-free products considered safe for sensitive skin affected by psoriasis. In April 2025, Bia Eczema Relief Lotion received MyMicrobiome Standard microbiome-friendly certification and the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. In May 2025, Codex Labs received U.S. Patent No. 12,194,068 for Shaant ClearSkin Probiotic 2.0, an oral synbiotic supplement intended for oily and acne-prone skin. Codex Labs also began exploring functional fragrance. In 2025, it started testing Cocoon in Europe for possible mood-modulating and stress-reduction applications. This initiative reflects the company’s broader interest in the relationship among skin, brain, and microbiome health. Available reference material does not identify a parent corporation, public listing, current leadership team beyond founder Barbara Paldus, or a definitive corporate website.

1. 2025Eczema certification, Shaant patent, and Cocoon testing

   Bia Eczema Relief Lotion received two certifications, Codex Labs received a U.S. patent for Shaant ClearSkin Probiotic 2.0, and the company began European testing of Cocoon functional fragrance.

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2. 2023Supplements and Shaant OTC products

   The company launched its first supplements and introduced over-the-counter Shaant products for acne-prone skin.

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3. 2022Shaant collection introduced

   Codex Labs introduced the cosmetic Shaant collection and received National Psoriasis Foundation approval for products described as irritation-free for sensitive psoriasis-prone skin.

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4. 2021Antü-related patents issued

   Patents covering AntüComplex and a skin protectant were issued.

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5. 2020BiaComplex patent and Antü launch

   The BiaComplex patent was issued, and Codex Labs launched the Antü collection for barrier protection and environmental stress.

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6. 2019First skincare products and PreservX

   Codex Labs launched its first skincare products and developed the PreservX fermentation-based preservation system.

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7. 2018Codex Labs is founded

   Barbara Paldus founded Codex Labs in Silicon Valley with an initial focus on microbiome-conscious skincare without phenoxyethanol.

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Science-led, plant-based and microbiome-conscious skincare and wellness for sensitive, acne-prone, dry, and inflammatory skin, with products designed to connect topical care to gut and broader systemic health.

• BiaSkincare collection2019

  Bia is Codex Labs’ hydration-focused skincare collection. Introduced in 2019, it was developed to support water retention, deep hydration, and the turnover of dry skin layers. The collection became associated with MyMicrobiome certification, reflecting the brand’s emphasis on formulations designed to support rather than disrupt the skin microbiome. Bia also includes Bia Eczema Relief Lotion, which received MyMicrobiome Standard certification and the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance in 2025.

• AntüSkincare collection2020

  Antü is a barrier-support skincare collection launched in 2020. Its stated objectives include protecting and strengthening the skin barrier, supporting epidermal density, and alleviating damage associated with environmental exposure and ultraviolet light. The range was MyMicrobiome-certified, and Codex Labs later received patents covering AntüComplex and a skin protectant in 2021.

• ShaantAcne skincare and over-the-counter products2022

  Shaant is Codex Labs’ collection for oily and acne-prone skin. The cosmetic range was introduced in 2022 and over-the-counter products followed in 2023. Its formulation goals include controlling sebum, reducing visible redness, and mitigating acne-associated inflammatory activity. Shaant face and body scrubs were described as the first over-the-counter acne products to receive MyMicrobiome certification. The ShaantComplex patent was issued in 2022.

• Shaant ClearSkin Probiotic 2.0Oral synbiotic supplement2025

  Shaant ClearSkin Probiotic 2.0 is an oral synbiotic supplement intended to support management of oily and acne-prone skin. Codex Labs received U.S. Patent No. 12,194,068 for the product in May 2025. It represents the company’s effort to extend its acne-focused topical platform into ingestible microbiome and probiotic applications.

• CocoonFunctional fragrance2025

  Cocoon is an emerging functional-fragrance project tested by Codex Labs in Europe beginning in 2025. The company has associated the product with mood modulation and stress reduction. The available material describes testing rather than a completed broad commercial launch.

• 2023Expand from topical skincare into supplementsStrategy

  Codex Labs’ skin-gut-brain positioning provided a rationale for addressing microbiome and barrier health through ingestible products.

  What changed. The company launched its first dietary supplements targeting areas including gut-barrier integrity, mucosal function, inflammation, and microbiome balance.

  Aftermath. The move broadened Codex Labs from a skincare brand into a wider consumer health and wellness platform.

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• 2019Develop and use PreservXProduct launch

  The company sought a preservation approach compatible with its microbiome-conscious product philosophy.

  What changed. Codex Labs developed and patented PreservX, a system based on organic acids, lactobacillus ferment, coconut-oil ferment, and biotechnology-derived propanediol.

  Aftermath. PreservX became part of Codex Labs’ technology platform and differentiated its skincare development approach.

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• 2018Adopt a microbiome-first skincare strategyStrategy

  Codex Labs was established around the goal of creating phenoxyethanol-free skincare while preserving the native skin microbiome.

  What changed. The company pursued botanical and fermentation-based formulations, microbiome certification, and clinical testing through external partners.

  Aftermath. This strategy shaped the Bia, Antü, and Shaant collections and later supported the company’s expansion into microbiome-oriented supplements.

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• 2025Bia Eczema Relief Lotion receives microbiome and eczema certifications

  Bia Eczema Relief Lotion received MyMicrobiome Standard microbiome-friendly certification and the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance.

  Other
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• 2025Codex Labs receives U.S. patent for Shaant ClearSkin Probiotic 2.0

  The company was granted U.S. Patent No. 12,194,068 for an oral synbiotic supplement aimed at oily and acne-prone skin.

  Other
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• 2025Codex Labs begins European testing of Cocoon functional fragrance

  Codex Labs began testing Cocoon in Europe as a functional fragrance associated with mood modulation and stress reduction.

  Product launch
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• 2023Codex Labs expands into supplements

  The company launched its first supplements, extending its microbiome-focused approach to gut-barrier, mucosal, inflammatory, and skin-health applications.

  Product launch
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• 2022Codex Labs receives National Psoriasis Foundation approval for products

  Codex Labs products received National Psoriasis Foundation approval as irritation-free products suitable for sensitive psoriasis-affected skin.

  Other
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• 2022Codex Labs introduces Shaant skincare

  The cosmetic Shaant collection launched for acne-prone skin, addressing sebum, redness, and acne-associated inflammation.

  Product launch
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• 2020Codex Labs introduces the Antü collection

  The Antü collection launched with products intended to strengthen the skin barrier and mitigate environmental and ultraviolet damage.

  Product launch
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• 2019Codex Labs launches its first skincare products

  The company introduced its initial skincare products and began commercializing its microbiome-conscious product platform.

  Product launch
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• 2019Codex Labs introduces the Bia collection

  The MyMicrobiome-certified Bia collection was introduced with a focus on hydration, water retention, and dry-skin turnover.

  Product launch
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1. Codex Labs