Kate Hudson Says This Serum Is A "Game Changer" For Inflammation

"I've been using [this] product now for like a couple months," Kate Hudson (yes, the Kate Hudson) tells me over Zoom. "It's pretty new, and the way my skin has changed is wild."

The products in question? Goodies from microbiome-friendly brand Symbiome, which makes every formula with 10 (!) ingredients or less.

Since chatting with the actor and entrepreneur—who has very glowy skin, I should add—for our As of Late series, I've grown more and more curious about her up-and-coming skin care fave—and once she became the creative adviser for the aforementioned beloved brand, my interest got the best of me. I had to know if Symbiome's simple formulas could give me a Hudson-level glow!

Before diving into the details, I'll say it upfront. Yes, this is an expensive bundle. A whopping $299 for three products ($100 each, with a little mental math). But each product typically tallies up to $385 on its own, so this kit is technically a better bargain.

Any way you do the math, these formulas are worth the investment. I'd assume Hudson would agree since she praises the brand's commitment to simple, science-backed formulas overall."

"I think that this scientist is really on to something," Hudson says. "He is a microbiome researcher, and I believe that all things start in the microbiome and your gut, but nobody's really talked about how the skin organ also has its own microbiome, and it's so complex."

She is certainly talking to the right audience; we've been writing about the skin microbiome for years, explaining the delicate relationship between your gut, brain, immune system, and skin. 

Symbiome's The One Cream has an even simpler INCI list, with just three powerful players: water, the aforementioned postbiotic lactobacillus ferment, and sanoma leaf oil. This fermented oil comes from the leaves of an Amazonian shrub that's rich in lipids, phytosterols, and antioxidants—so it soothes and protects the skin. The Renewal Cleanser also contains sanoma leaf oil, along with seje and xanana fruit oils (other fermented bio oils), glycerin, plus gentle, moisturizing, plant-derived surfactants. 

I tested Kate's Kit for six weeks—the cleanser, the serum, and the moisturizer—and have noticed way more resilient skin. What does this mean? Well, resiliency is the ability to withstand stressors and quickly recover. As Weiss declares on the Clean Beauty School podcast, "It's the ability to bend without breaking." 

For me, this looks like fewer acne flare-ups from hormonal fluctuations—plus faster healing times when I do break out. It also looks like a brighter glow in the dead of winter when I'd usually sport dehydration lines and a dull complexion.

No, my skin is not perfect (whatever that means, anyway!), but it is much more capable of recovery. This ability to bounce back is the cornerstone of healthy skin resilience, and according to Weiss, what we should all be striving for in skin care. 

By strengthening my skin microbiome, I've also tempered overall inflammation. See, the microbiome is the skin's first line of defense, and it provides a protective shield, in addition to communicating with the immune system and keeping the skin balanced. As it keeps environmental aggressors from sneaking their way inside, it helps maintain the structural integrity of the skin, leading to a brighter, firmer glow. 

Changing your skin's health for the long haul is a big, bold claim—but trust me when I say that Symbiome earned its praise. The innovative formulas nourish my skin barrier and microbiome so that they can better withstand stressors over time, and physical stress, as we know, is the main culprit for skin aging. I do suggest snagging the $299 bundle if you're able, but you really can't go wrong with any of the individual products in Kate's Kit.