![]() | |
Company type | Private |
---|---|
Industry | Biotechnology, Dermatology, Wellness |
Founded | 2018 |
Founder | Barbara Paldus |
Headquarters | Silicon Valley, California, United States |
Key people | Barbara Paldus (Founder, CEO) |
Products | OTC skincare, medical foods, dietary supplements, microbiome |
Website | www |
Codex Labs is a plant-biotechnology company focused on skin-gut-brain-biome solutions for skin conditions (acne, eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis) based in Silicon Valley, California. [1] The company develops clinically proven topicals and ingestibles for integrative dermatologists and naturopaths based on biotechnology and botanical actives. [2] [3]
Codex Labs was founded by Barbara Paldus [4] in 2018 with a focus on developing phenoxyethanol-free skincare product that preserves the native skin microbiome. [2] [1] [5] [6] In its early stages, Codex Labs acquired Irish skincare company Bia Beauty and partnered with the French Eurofins Dermscan laboratory in Lyon for experimentation and clinical trials. [1] It also partnered with MyMicrobiome to certify all of its skincare products as microbiome-supporting. Codex launched its first skincare products in 2019 and its first supplements in 2023. [7] [8]
In 2019, the company developed and patented its PreservX system, a novel biotech-ferment-based preservative that supports the natural skin microbiome. [2] [9] It is a combination of four edible ingredients designated as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) by the US FDA: edible organic acids, lactobacillus ferment, coconut oil ferment, and biotech propanediol. [10] [11] Later that year, Codex Labs introduced the MyMicrobiome-certified Bia collection, which focused on deep hydration, water retention, and turnover of dry skin layers. [12] The BiaComplex patent was issued in 2020. [13] [14] The Antü collection, launched in 2020 and also MyMicrobiome-certified, focused on protecting and strengthening the skin barrier against the exposome, re-densifying the epidermis, and alleviating damage caused by UV light. [15] The AntuComplex and skin protectant patents were issued in 2021. [16]
The Shaant collection, introduced in 2022 (cosmetic) and 2023 (OTC), controlled sebum production, reduced redness, and mitigated the acne inflammasome for acne-prone skin. [17] The Shaant face/body scrubs were the first OTC acne products on the market to be MyMicrobiome-certified. [18] The ShaantComplex patent was issued in 2022. [19] [20] In 2025, the company began testing its first functional fragrance (Cocoon) in Europe for mood modulation and stress reduction. [21] [22] Codex Labs' products were also approved by the National Psoriasis Foundation in 2022 as irritation-free products that are safe for sensitive skin suffering from psoriasis. [2]
In addition to skincare products like BIA, ANTÜ and SHAANT, [23] the company has developed dietary supplements to address gut barrier integrity, mucosal function, inflammation, and microbiome balance. All products are clinically tested, microbiome-friendly, and certified vegan, cruelty-free, and sustainable. [2] [17]