Sound familiar...
...and your skin still isn't listening?
Which means it was built for nobody.
The problem is that your routine isn't really yours.
Your skin is home to 11 trillion bacteria, viruses and fungi. Collectively, this 'microbiome' is as unique to you as your fingerprint.
It impacts everything: from how oily your skin gets, how it responds to inflammation, how well it retains moisture and how well it ages.
No online quiz, selfie or off-the-shelf formula can ever know your microbiome like we can.
Barrier Function
A healthy microbiome reinforces the skin's protective barrier.
Key findings: Disrupted microbial communities compromise the skin's ability to retain moisture and defend against irritants.
Naik et. al., Nature (2015)
PMID: 25539086
Almoughrabie et. al., Sci. Adv. (2023)
PMID: 37595033
Sebum Production
Microbial imbalance is linked to excess oil production and breakouts.
Key findings: Overgrowth of specific bacteria triggers inflammatory pathways that drive excess sebum and acne.
Mukherjee et. al., Sci. Rep. (2016)
PMID: 27786295
Cavallo et. al., Sci. Rep. (2022)
PMID: 36473894
Inflammation & Redness
Microbial imbalance drives chronic sensitivity, redness and inflammation.
Key findings: Microbiome imbalance can drive skin inflammation.
Nakatsuji et. al., Sci. Transl. Med. (2017)
PMID: 28228596
Nguyen et. al., Nat. Commun. (2025)
PMID: 41381538
Hydration & Moisture
Beneficial bacteria produce compounds that help skin retain water and prevent dryness.
Key findings: Commensal bacteria contribute to natural moisturizing factor production and regulate aquaporin expression for optimal hydration.
Zheng et. al., Cell Host Microbe (2022)
PMID: 35123653
Uberoi et. al., Cell Chem. Biol. (2025)
PMID: 39824155
Sensitivity & Reactivity
The microbiome regulates the skin's threshold for irritation.
Key findings: Protective bacteria modulate nerve signaling and immune responses that control how skin reacts to environmental stressors.
Deng et. al., Cell (2023)
PMID: 37995657
Delanghe et. al., Cell Rep. (2024)
PMID: 39390034
Aging & Repair
Beneficial bacteria can induce collagen synthesis and drive skin regeneration.
Key findings: Balanced microbial ecosystems enhance wound healing and reduce signs of premature aging.
Negari et. al., Int. J. Mol. Sci. (2021)
PMID: 33572500
Uberoi et. al., Cell Host Microbe (2021)
PMID: 34214492
Real personalisation starts with real data.
Developed with microbiome researchers and dermatologists from the University of Oxford, our active formulations are based on your skin microbiome to restore and maintain balance.
No guess work. No one-size-fits-all. Just skincare guided by your biology.
We don't kill bacteria. We feed the right ones.
Most skincare treats your microbiome like the enemy. We treat it like the ecosystem it is.
Our topical formulations contain prebiotics, active ingredients that function as nutrients for your microbiome. Our blends are carefully crafted to feed your beneficial bacteria - helping them thrive - while starving out the bacteria that cause concerns.
1. Ready, steady, swab.
We'll send you a home swab kit to capture your microbiome.
2. Let us handle the science.
We analyse your microbiome using the same technique as the world's leading microbiome scientists (deep shotgun metagenomic sequencing).
3. Formulated for you.
Your personalised routine includes a nightly cleanser and an overnight prebiotic face cream, tailored to your microbiome.
Be the first to experience truly personalised skincare.
Pre-order your microbiome sequencing kit today or join the waitlist for updates.
FAQs
Absolutely. This is nutrition for your skin and you shouldn't wait until there are visible signs of aging or damage before you start looking after it. Maintaining a balanced microbiome can help with this, which is why we specialise on skincare that's informed by biology. Dermalere also helps you understand what's keeping your skin healthy now, so you can protect it as it naturally changes.
We'll send you a simple kit containing sterile swabs. Place on the provided gloves and wet the swab in the sterile water. Rub the swab over your cheek for 1 minute. Place the swab into the collection tube and seal the cap. Return the sample back to us via the complementary return postage box.
We ask that you avoid wearing makeup and refrain from showering for at least 12 hours to maximise the number of microbes we capture and provide the highest level of personalisation possible.
Once we receive your swab, it takes around 1-2 weeks to sequence your microbiome and formulate your personalised products. Good things come to those who wait (including skincare!) and we'll keep you updated throughout the process. You will be able to view your results in the Dermalere app.
After we process your sequencing data, you will receive a nightly cleanser and an overnight prebiotic cream, tailored for your microbiome. You will continue to receive these on a monthly subscription basis.
Yes! Because we're analysing your unique microbiome, we can identify the exact formulation that works with your sensitive skin - and which ones to avoid. Many people with sensitive skin have found that generic products disrupt their microbiome balance; our approach is designed to restore it.
We recommend initially using Dermalere products on their own in your nightly routine so you can see how your skin responds to formulations designed specifically for your microbiome.
However, our aim is that you wake up with refreshed skin so you can enjoy your current daytime skincare routine.
(Dermalere daytime products are on the way...)