Lancôme skincare has an important role in bringing the most advanced, transformational science to women around the world. With 15 years’ worth of research into the skin microbiome, today, Lancôme has launched a new Advanced Génifique serum. It raises the bar for the global skincare industry, acting on the microbiome and delivering outstanding proven results for stronger, younger-looking skin.
Since its launch in 2009, Lancôme Advanced Génifique has led the way in cutting-edge innovation and pioneering science, to deliver skincare like no other. Across the world, millions of women have turned to Advanced Génifique serum for its breakthrough formulation–a product born of more than 197 formulation trials, that has been tested on 4,000 women. Known for its efficacy and ability to help improve 10 signs of youth, it has received over 170 awards, 10,000 5-star reviews and 97% of women who use it would recommend it to others. It is no wonder then, that 25 million bottles have been sold worldwide–and that a serum is purchased every six seconds.
A decade later, in its 10th anniversary year, the remarkable story continues with a new vision of skin biology–and a new paradigm for skin health and appearance. As the culmination of 15 years’ worth of research into the skin microbiome, this vision is the new Advanced Génifique serum.

“Microbiome research has been a subject L’Oréal has been working on for over 15 years; involving a global collaborative taskforce spanning 9 Research Centers, generating over 500 million data points through 57 different studies. It is a cutting edge field of research that continues to reveal to us new links between the invisible world of micro-organisms and our health & beauty; which in turn fuels the scientific innovation at L’Oréal. The first of which, starts with Lancome new Advanced Genifique,” explained Shean Lim, Head of Research & Innovation L’Oréal Indonesia.
Caroline Foo, General Manager of L’Oréal Luxe Indonesia further explained that Microbiome science is a promising new field of research that has the potential to offer endless possibilities in terms of our overall health and skin. “In the 10th anniversary year, we are proud to launch the new Advanced Genifique Serum now with Microbiome science that offers a stronger, younger-looking skin in just 1 bottle*. (*clinical scoring – 40 Asian women – 8 weeks)”.
Just as the original serum has stood the test of time to become a true beauty icon of the past decade, so too the new and updated version promises to become timeless–beloved by women everywhere around the world. Enriched with 7 pre and probiotic fractions, discover your skin’s inner strength with new Advanced Génifique serum.
What is skin microbiome?
If we take a closer look at the body, we can see that we are made of 50% human cells and 50% bacterial cells. Our microbiome is a symbiotic part of us. As a precious partner for our skin, our first microbiome is a gift we receive from our mother. It is our mother who gives us the essential building blocks for microbiome development, which begins at birth and evolves throughout our lives.
Scientists have discovered that each of us have unique skin microbiome. Just like a signature, it is as individual as our DNA or our fingerprint. It is a beneficial living ecosystem of microorganisms and an integral part of the skin surface. Its balance is essential to skin’s health and appearance.
By the time we reach adulthood, our skin microbiome contains up to 1,000 species of bacteria, with as many as 2 million bacterium existing on every 2cm2 of skin. The most prevalent of all are Cutibacterium, Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium.
When our microbiome is balanced, our skin is able to defend and recover. The 3 key roles of the microbiome are:
• Protect: A balanced microbiome provides antimicrobial defence against pathogens and liberates antioxidant proteins.
• Regulate: It modulates excessive inflammation.
• Repair: Then enhances epidermis cohesion and strengthens the skin barrier to build resilience.
So, the microbiome is a powerful means of supporting the skin in its ability to defend itself, and recover.
Over 15 years ago, Lancôme Research began groundbreaking studies, exploring the link between the microbiome and the skin’s health and appearance. A team of 50 experts – from physicists and clinicians to dermatologists and computer scientists, based in different global centers – has been involved in this research. Together with other leading experts, we have built more than 23 scientific partnerships around the world. During its 57 clinical trials, 10,000 skin microbiome samples were analyzed. Such is the power of our research into the skin microbiome that it has formed the basis of 18 scientific publications – and stands apart as an exceptional breakthrough for the global skincare industry.
Thanks to a collaboration with Pr. Hattori, from Waseda University, Sōdai, Japan, Lancôme Research has been able make an unprecedented discovery, revealing that the skin microbiome changes as we age.
By comparing the microbiome of young and older subjects, Lancôme has identified 38 differentiated bacteria species, demonstrating that both groups have a different microbiome signature (Cutibacterium is, for example, less abundant in the older group). Moreover, the microbiome diversity has also been shown to increase as we age. Vital but invisible, our microbiome is not invincible
Our unique microbiome can be compromised by our lifestyle and surrounding environmental conditions. UV rays, pollution, diet, medications and hormones are just some of the factors that can undermine the ecosystem–and could affect the essential partnership between our microbiome and skin. Pollution is considered to be one of the primary causes of skin problems, leading to premature aging, dryness, wrinkles and dark spots – as well as an uneven tone and texture.
Together with Pr. Lee, from the University of Hong Kong, Lancôme Research has proven that when living in a polluted environment, the skin microbiome is modified. Its composition evolves, the presence of Cutibacterium diminishes and its diversity increases.
Delving deeper into this discovery, Lancôme’s scientists have found that women living in a polluted environment and display premature signs of aging (such as wrinkles and pigmented spots) present a skin microbiome signature closer to that of an older woman.
So, like a secret power held within our skin, maintaining a balanced microbiome is a key factor for healthy-looking and beautiful skin. Empowered by this discovery, Lancôme set about creating the new advance formula to act on the skin microbiome in the new Lancôme Advanced Génifique.