Every Qeroha product packaging carries the Kind to Biome certificate. But what does that actually mean? How is it tested? And why is it so relevant for baby skin? This article explains it. Transparently and without marketing jargon.
What is Kind to Biome?
Kind to Biome is an independent certification program that assesses whether cosmetic products respect the skin microbiome. It was developed by scientists specializing in microbiome research and is conducted by an external, independent party, not by the manufacturer itself.
The certification is specifically designed for the growing market of microbiome-conscious cosmetics and provides parents with a verifiable, scientifically grounded quality mark. For Qeroha, it is not a marketing tool; it is the confirmation of a fundamental formulation philosophy.
How does the test work?
The Kind to Biome test uses an ex vivo method. Long story short, this means: tested on human skin tissue outside the body, under controlled laboratory conditions. The product is applied to skin tissue, and then the effect on the microbiome composition is measured.
Specifically, three criteria are examined: the diversity of the microbiome after exposure, the ratio between desired and undesired microorganisms, and the overall stability of the ecosystem. A product that passes does not demonstrably disrupt the bacterial balance on the skin.
Validated by an independent expert panel
There is more behind the Kind to Biome certificate than just a laboratory test. Every certified product is also assessed by the Microbiome Council, an independent panel of dermatologists, microbiologists, and molecular biologists. They not only oversee the test procedure but also actively ensure that the assessment standard aligns with the latest scientific insights.
This means that the Kind to Biome certificate is not a static quality mark. It evolves with science. For Qeroha, that is exactly the standard that fits our approach: no claims invented yesterday, but validation that holds up today.
Why this is relevant for baby skin
A baby's skin microbiome is particularly vulnerable. It is still developing, not yet fully colonized, and more sensitive to external influences than an adult's. A product that disrupts the microbiome can have a much greater impact during this critical phase than on adult skin.
For baby care, Kind to Biome is not a "nice-to-have" but a relevant standard. It proves that a product actually does what it promises: supporting the skin without disrupting the microbiome.
Qeroha and Kind to Biome
All three of our products—Baby Balm, Body Oil, and Bathing Oil—have been independently tested and certified. The certification was not granted upon request but earned based on the formulation. That is the difference between a claim and proof.
For us, this was more than enough reason to critically examine every step in the formulation. Which ingredient adds value? What does a newborn's skin really need, and what does it not? These questions led us to a barrier-first approach, a short INCI list, and the choice to have all three of our products independently tested. Not because it is mandatory, but because for a baby's skin, we will not settle for anything less than proof.
Read more at www.kindtobiome.com
Sources
- Kind to Biome certification program, methodology and test protocol. kindtobiome.com. Grice, E.A. & Segre, J.A. (2011).
- The skin microbiome. Nature Reviews Microbiology. SkinBioTherapeutics (2021). Ex vivo skin microbiome testing methodology. Journal of Applied Microbiology.
