Codex Labs Lotion is First Eczema OTC Topical to Achieve Microbiome-Friendly Certification

Image Credit: © Ольга Тернавская - stock.adobe.com

Codex Labs’ Bia Eczema Relief Lotion has been awarded the Microbiome-friendly Certification, according to the MyMicrobiome Standard, and the National Eczema Association (NEA) Seal of Acceptance.¹ It is the first over-the-counter topical eczema therapy to achieve these certifications simultaneously. The skin tech company announced the news in a press release earlier this week.

"We are thrilled that our products have been recognized as non-irritating for over 30 million Americans who suffer from eczema, as well as microbiome safe. We remain dedicated to creating solutions that protect and restore the skin barrier while supporting the microbiome," Barbara Paldus, PhD, founder and CEO of Codex, said in a statement.

The lotion utilizes a novel, patent-pending BiaComplex 2.0, which combines active cellular extracts from terrestrial and marine plants. The technology supports hydration, skin barrier repair, and itch reduction by increasing the production of ceramides and structural proteins on the face, hands, and body.

In order to receive the NEA Seal of Acceptance, a product must be tested for sensitivity, irritation, and toxicity. The NEA’s Scientific Oversight Committee also reviews the ingredients and formulation data. To achieve the MyMicrobiome Standard certification, a product must perform 4 tests on quality, balance, diversity, and vitality to ensure it is microbiome friendly. The skin microbiome is vital to skin health as it aids in barrier protection, wound repair, immune regulation, and defense against pathogens.² Disruption in the microbiome’s balance can lead to skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, acne, and psoriasis.³

The product was clinically tested in a 2024 open-label study alongside the company’s Bia Unscented Soap, which is also MyMicrobiome-certified and carries the NEA Seal of Acceptance, and the Antü Skin Barrier Support supplement. This “Ditch the Itch” trio was evaluated in participants with mild to moderate eczema, with a SCORing for Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) of 34.5. After 8 weeks of use, all patients saw up to a 93% reduction in SCORAD score. Over 90% of participants observed an 88% decrease in itch, a 177% increase in hydration, and an 83% decrease in desquamation.

“The ‘Ditch the Itch’ set was tested in a clinical study and performed well for managing moderate eczema. It is remarkable to think that these are over-the-counter products, available to everyone without a prescription,” said Peter Lio, MD. “Such clinical results demonstrate the importance of addressing skin conditions with both topicals and ingestibles in an integrative, inside-out approach.”

Lio is a a board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor of dermatology and pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. He is also the founding director of the Chicago Integrative Eczema Center and a Codex Labs Medical Advisory Board member.

Want to hear more pearls and insights on atopic dermatitis from Lio and other experts? Join us at the annual Revolutionizing Atopic Dermatitis Conference this June in Nashville, TN. Use code DT40 for 40% off your RAD 2025 registration.

References

1. Codex Labs OTC Bia Eczema Relief Lotion Is Awarded Seal of Acceptance from National Eczema Association and Microbiome-Friendly Certification from MyMicrobiome. News Release. Globe Newswire. Published April 8, 2025. Accessed April 11, 2025. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/04/08/3057642/0/en/Codex-Labs-OTC-Bia-Eczema-Relief-Lotion-Is-Awarded-Seal-of-Acceptance-from-National-Eczema-Association-and-Microbiome-Friendly-Certification-from-MyMicrobiome.html

2. Byrd AL, Belkaid Y, Segre JA. The human skin microbiome. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2018;16(3):143-155. doi:10.1038/nrmicro.2017.157

3. Cundell AM. Microbial Ecology of the Human Skin. Microb Ecol. 2018;76(1):113-120. doi:10.1007/s00248-016-0789-6