ISUN Microbiome Consultant
Your Skin Microbiome Consultation
Answer six short questions to discover an ISUN skincare ritual tailored to your skin's unique needs and informed by our microbiome-friendly approach to skin health.
Question 1 of 6
01 / 06 · Skin Type
How does your skin naturally feel throughout the day?
Think about your skin a few hours after your morning routine, before applying anything else. This often reveals your skin's natural tendencies.
02 / 06 · Primary Concern
What concerns you most about your skin at this moment?
Select all that apply.
If more than one applies, choose the concern that feels most important to you.
03 / 06 · Duration
How long has this been present?
The duration of a concern can provide helpful context when selecting products and building a skincare ritual.
04 / 06 · Lifestyle
How would you describe your typical stress levels and sleep habits?
Skin is influenced by many aspects of well-being, including rest, daily stress, and lifestyle. Understanding these patterns helps us personalize your recommendations.
05 / 06 · Sun Protection
Do you wear SPF every day?
Daily sun protection helps support skin health and is an important part of maintaining a radiant, healthy-looking complexion.
06 / 06 · Your Routine
How would you describe your current skincare routine?
Every skincare ritual is different. Understanding yours helps us personalize our recommendations to your skin's needs.
Your Skin Care Routine
Based on your responses, these are the ISUN formulations the science identifies as most aligned with your skin's biology.
Your Skin Profile
Primary Formulations
Supporting Formulations
1M+
Microbial species call your skin home
4
Four criteria used to evaluate microbiome compatibility
11
Isun formulas meet our microbiome compatibility framework
Rooted in nature, grounded in science
Section 01
What Is the Skin Microbiome
A Living System, In Constant Balance
Your skin is more than a surface. It is a living ecosystem, home to billions of microorganisms that exist alongside your skin every day.
Together, these bacteria, fungi and other microbes form what is known as the skin microbiome. This complex community plays an important role in helping maintain the skin barrier, supporting hydration and contributing to healthy-looking, resilient skin.
Like any ecosystem, the skin microbiome thrives when balance is maintained. When this balance is disrupted, skin may appear less comfortable, less resilient and more prone to visible changes in its appearance.
Research continues to deepen our understanding of the microbiome and its connection to skin health. What is becoming increasingly clear is that healthy skin is not sterile skin. A balanced skin ecosystem is an important part of the skin’s natural function.
Current research suggests that healthy skin is supported by a diverse and balanced microbiome. Rather than attempting to eliminate microorganisms, modern skincare increasingly focuses on supporting the conditions that allow the skin's natural ecosystem to thrive.
Byrd et al. (2018); Han & Kim (2024)
Probiotics
Supporting from Within
Probiotic-derived ingredients and fermented extracts help support the skin’s natural barrier and healthy microbiome, promoting overall skin wellness.
Commonly found in fermented ingredients, lysates, and postbiotic skincare formulations.
Prebiotics
Nourishing What Exists
Ingredients such as beta-glucan and plant-derived sugars that help support a healthy skin environment and the skin’s natural microbiome.
Postbiotics
Bioactive by Nature
Beneficial compounds created during fermentation that help support skin hydration, comfort, and barrier function. Known for their stability and compatibility in skincare formulations.
Microbiome-Friendly
Formulated for Balance
Designed to support the skin’s natural microbiome and protective barrier. These formulations help maintain hydration, balance, and skin comfort while working in harmony with the skin’s natural functions.
Section 02
Why the Microbiome Matters
Balance, Reflected in the Skin
The skin microbiome plays an important role in maintaining healthy-looking skin.
When this living ecosystem is balanced, skin often appears calmer, more resilient and naturally radiant. The skin barrier is better able to maintain moisture, and the skin is better equipped to respond to everyday environmental stressors.
When balance is disrupted, the skin may become less comfortable and more prone to visible changes in its appearance. Research continues to explore the relationship between the skin microbiome and concerns such as breakouts, sensitivity, redness, uneven skin tone and visible signs of skin aging.
A microbiome-conscious approach focuses on supporting the skin’s natural ecosystem. By helping maintain barrier integrity, hydration balance and skin comfort, skincare can work in harmony with the skin’s natural processes.
Breakouts
When Balance Is Disrupted
Changes in the skin's natural balance may contribute to the appearance of breakouts and congestion.
Supporting the skin barrier and microbiome can help maintain a clearer, healthier-looking complexion over time.¹
Sensitivity
When Comfort Is Compromised
When the skin barrier is weakened, skin may become more reactive and prone to discomfort from everyday stressors.
Supporting barrier strength and hydration balance can help improve skin comfort and resilience over time.²
Redness
When Skin Feels Out of Balance
Visible redness can occur when the skin barrier becomes stressed or the skin's natural balance is disrupted.
Nourishing botanicals and supportive lipids help comfort the skin and promote a calmer, more balanced appearance.²
Visible Signs of Skin Aging
Supporting Skin Vitality
Over time, changes in the skin's natural environment can contribute to visible signs of aging, including dryness, loss of radiance and reduced elasticity.
Supporting the skin barrier, maintaining hydration and nourishing the skin with nutrient-rich botanicals can help promote a healthier, more vibrant-looking complexion.³
Barrier Integrity
The Foundation of Healthy-Looking Skin
The skin barrier and microbiome work together to help protect and support the skin.
When the skin barrier is strong and balanced, skin is better able to retain moisture, maintain comfort and support overall resilience.⁴
Uneven Skin Tone
Supporting Natural Radiance
A healthy skin environment helps support the skin's natural renewal process and overall appearance.
When hydration and barrier balance are maintained, skin often appears brighter, smoother and more even-toned.²
Section 03
What Supports a Healthy Skin Ecosystem
Ingredients Chosen for Balance and Resilience
Research into the skin microbiome continues to evolve, and many ingredients are being studied for their role in supporting a healthy skin environment. A healthy-looking complexion depends on more than a single ingredient. It is supported by a combination of barrier-supporting lipids, nourishing botanicals, fermented ingredients and hydration-supportive actives that work together to help maintain balance. At ISUN, we formulate with nutrient-rich botanicals, supportive plant oils and natural actives selected to work in harmony with the skin's natural processes.
Barrier-Supporting Oils
Supporting the Skin's Foundation
The skin barrier and skin ecosystem are closely connected. Plant oils rich in essential fatty acids help support the skin barrier, maintain moisture and contribute to healthy-looking skin.⁵
Nourishing Botanicals
Helping Maintain Balance
Botanical extracts rich in antioxidants and plant compounds help support skin comfort, resilience and overall skin well-being.⁶
Fermented Ingredients
Supporting Skin Vitality
Fermentation-derived ingredients provide naturally occurring compounds that help support hydration, skin comfort and barrier integrity.⁷
The Ingredients Behind Every Formula
Documented, Purposeful
Transparency is part of the ISUN philosophy. Every ingredient featured below is included with intention, selected for its unique properties and the role it plays within the overall formulation.
Jojoba Oil
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Rich in wax esters that closely resemble the skin’s natural lipids, helping support skin comfort and barrier integrity.
Vollmer et al. (2018), IJMS
Sunflower Seed Oil
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Naturally rich in linoleic acid, helping support the skin barrier and maintain healthy-looking skin.
Siqueira et al. (2025), ACS Omega
Sea Buckthorn Oil
Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil
Contains naturally occurring fatty acids that help nourish the skin and support skin comfort.
Siqueira et al. (2025), ACS Omega
Rosehip Oil
Rosa Canina / Rubiginosa Seed Oil
Provides essential fatty acids and naturally occurring plant compounds that help support skin nourishment and barrier integrity.
Vollmer et al. (2018), IJMS
Green Tea Extract
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Rich in antioxidant compounds that help protect the skin from environmental stressors and support healthy-looking skin.
Melnyk et al. (2022), IJMS
Licorice Root
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Traditionally used to support a brighter, more even-looking complexion and overall skin comfort.
Melnyk et al. (2022), IJMS
Calendula & Helichrysum
Calendula Officinalis · Helichrysum Italicum
Botanical extracts valued for their soothing properties and ability to support healthy-looking skin.
De Almeida et al. (2023), Microorganisms
yeast cell extract
Saccharomyces Lysate Extract
Fermentation-derived ingredient used throughout selected ISUN formulations. Provides naturally occurring compounds that help support hydration, skin comfort, and barrier integrity.
De Almeida et al. (2023), Microorganisms
Beta-Glucan
Beta-Glucan
Helps support hydration, skin comfort, and overall skin resilience.
Zeng et al. (2025), Antioxidants
Hyaluronic Acid
Sodium Hyaluronate
Helps attract and retain moisture, supporting hydration balance and skin comfort.
Zeng et al. (2025), Antioxidants
Aloe Vera
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Provides hydration and soothing plant compounds that help support skin comfort and overall skin well-being.
Wojciechowska & Dos Santos Szewczyk (2025), Molecules
Niacinamide
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
A versatile active that supports an even-looking skin tone, helps reinforce the barrier, and is well-tolerated across a range of skin types including sensitive skin.
Melnyk et al. (2022), IJMS
Ceramide NP
Ceramide NP
A skin-identical lipid that reinforces the protective barrier layer, helps reduce transepidermal water loss, and supports a balanced, resilient skin surface.
Meckfessel & Brandt (2014), JAAD
Pentavitin®
Saccharide Isomerate
A plant-derived humectant that binds moisture to the skin's own carbohydrate receptors, providing long-lasting hydration without disrupting the skin's natural balance.
Zeng et al. (2025), Antioxidants
Vitamin C
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate · Ascorbyl Glucoside
Stable vitamin C derivatives that support an even-looking complexion, provide antioxidant protection, and contribute to a bright, healthy-looking skin appearance.
Melnyk et al. (2022), IJMS
A note on essential oils and antimicrobial actives: Some natural ingredients — including certain essential oils — have antimicrobial properties that can affect microbial populations at high concentrations. ISUN formulations use botanical extracts thoughtfully and at levels designed for skin compatibility. This is not a reason to avoid these ingredients; rather, it reflects the importance of formulation context, concentration, and how ingredients work together in a complete product.
Science References
- Han & Kim (2024). J. Microbiology — Skin microbiome and acne dysbiosis.
- Hong et al. (2025). Annals of Dermatology — Microbiome links to eczema, rosacea and inflammatory conditions.
- Townsend & Kalan (2023). Biochem. Soc. Trans. — Age-related microbiome diversity decline and skin aging.
- Smythe & Wilkinson (2023). IJMS — Barrier repair as the primary microbiome stabilizer.
- Siqueira et al. (2025). ACS Omega; Vollmer et al. (2018) IJMS — Barrier oils and microbiome habitat.
- Melnyk et al. (2022). IJMS; Mourelle et al. (2023) Appl. Sci. — Anti-inflammatory botanicals and microbiome stability.
- De Almeida et al. (2023). Microorganisms — Postbiotics and fermented ingredients in skincare. Roman et al. (2025). Molecules — Calendula, Helichrysum, and botanical skin-support activity.
- Byrd, Belkaid & Segre (2018). Nature Reviews Microbiology — The human skin microbiome.
- Meckfessel & Brandt (2014). JAAD — The structure, function, and importance of ceramides.
- Zeng et al. (2025). Antioxidants — Beta-glucan, hyaluronic acid, and hydration network components.
Section 04
ISUN Microbiome-Aligned Formulations
Defined by Science, Selected with Intention
Each ISUN formulation is evaluated against four criteria informed by current cosmetic science. Formulations that include supportive lipids, nourishing botanicals, fermented or postbiotic ingredients, and hydration-supportive systems may be classified within our skin compatibility framework.
Tier 1 · Strongest
Core Microbiome-Friendly Formulations
These formulations meet three or four of the framework criteria and represent ISUN’s most comprehensive microbiome-friendly formulations. Combining nutrient-rich botanicals, supportive lipids and natural actives, they reflect our approach to nurturing healthy-looking, resilient skin.
Best Overall
Facial Cream
Phyto-Antioxidant
A nutrient-rich moisturizing cream combining barrier-supportive oils, botanicals, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment, Symglucan, humectants, and vitamins C + E to support skin vitality, comfort, and resilience.
✓✓ Barrier Oils
✓✓ Botanicals
✓ Postbiotic
✓✓ Prebiotic
Ideal for: maturing skin, barrier support, daily restoration
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Postbiotic · Gen 2
Facial Serum
Phyto-Infusion Serum
A microbiome-supportive serum featuring Saccharomyces lysate, Lactobacillus ferment, Symglucan, niacinamide, Ceramide NP, hyaluronic acid, centella, green tea, licorice, and vitamin C to support hydration, barrier resilience, and a balanced-looking complexion.
✓ Barrier Oils
✓✓ Botanicals
✓✓ Postbiotic
✓✓ Prebiotic
Ideal for: hydration support, barrier resilience, balanced-looking complexion
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Postbiotic Eye
Eye Cream
Phyto Eye Cream
A postbiotic and barrier-supportive eye formula with Saccharomyces lysate, Lactobacillus ferment/lysate, shea-derived lipids, squalane, hyaluronic acid, centella, chamomile, calendula, and vitamin C to support the delicate eye area.
✓✓ Barrier Oils
✓✓ Botanicals
✓✓ Postbiotic
✓ Prebiotic
Ideal for: fine lines, sensitivity, barrier repair
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Top Oil Score
Facial Oil
Ultra Ruby Facial Oil
A deeply nourishing facial oil rich in barrier-supportive plant oils and botanicals, ideal for dry, mature, or barrier-compromised skin.
✓✓ Barrier Oils
✓✓ Botanicals
Ideal for: dry skin, nourishment, barrier support
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Sensitive Skin
Facial Oil
Ultra Sapphire Facial Oil
A gentle, calming facial oil with supportive lipids and soothing botanicals, ideal for sensitive-looking or redness-prone skin.
✓✓ Barrier Oils
✓✓ Botanicals
Ideal for: sensitivity, reactivity, compromised barriers
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Tier 2 · Strong
Supporting Formulations
Focused and purposeful, these formulations support specific aspects of skin health through nutrient-rich botanicals, supportive lipids and active ingredients. They offer complementary support within a microbiome-friendly skincare ritual.
Facial Oil
Ultra Sunstone Facial Oil
A lightweight facial oil suited to oily or combination skin, helping support comfort and balance without over-stripping.
✓✓ Barrier Oils
✓✓ Botanicals
Ideal for: oily and combination skin
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Facial Oil
Sapphire Facial Oil
A lightweight daily oil that helps nourish the skin while supporting softness, comfort and overall balance.
✓✓ Barrier Oils
✓✓ Botanicals
Ideal for: sensitive and combination skin
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Facial Oil
Ruby Facial Oil
Rich in linoleic acid, this formulation helps support the skin's natural barrier while promoting a healthy-looking complexion.
✓✓ Barrier Oils
✓✓ Botanicals
Ideal for: dry skin, barrier repair
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Body Oil
Skin Restore Body Oil
A nourishing body oil with sunflower, rosehip, jojoba, and other plant oils to support body skin softness, comfort, and barrier care.
✓✓ Barrier Oils
✓✓ Botanicals
Ideal for: body care, barrier support
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Face & Body Balm
Soothing Relief Balm
A targeted comfort balm with beta-glucan and soothing botanicals to support sensitive-looking, reactive, or visibly stressed skin.
✓✓ Botanicals
✓✓ Prebiotic
Ideal for: sensitivity, redness, recovery
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Body Lotion
Soothing Silk Lotion
A hydration-supportive body lotion with humectants, botanical extracts, and barrier-supportive oils. Best positioned for body hydration and comfort.
✓✓ Barrier Oils
✓✓ Botanicals
✓ Hydration
Ideal for: daily body hydration and comfort
Shop Now →Consistent. Considered. Fully aligned with the intelligence of living skin.
