The epidermis (surface) is just 0.1mm thick - a protective barrier. The dermis sits 2mm deep - where collagen, elastin, and cellular regeneration actually happen.

Topical applications stop at 0.3mm⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾⁽³⁾. The molecules are too big to go deeper. They're not useless — they're just limited.

Black Code reaches 2mm through oral delivery⁽¹⁾⁽⁴⁾⁽⁵⁾. Our compounds enter your bloodstream and arrive at the dermis from within. No barriers. No molecular size limitations. Direct cellular access for unmatched results.

⁽¹⁾ Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University – Skin Health Overview
⁽²⁾ Barry BW, Journal of Controlled Release, 2001 – “Novel mechanisms and devices to enhance skin permeation.”
⁽³⁾ Proksch E, Brandner JM, Jensen JM. Exp Dermatol 2008 ;17(6):515-523. “The 500 Dalton rule for the skin.”
⁽⁴⁾ Hadgraft J & Lane ME. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2005 ;57:68-89. “Skin permeation: the main barriers.”
⁽⁵⁾ Marks R & Miller K. Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Skin, 1989.

Ceramides / Ceramosides™ (7)

1. Bizot V. et al., 2017 — Cosmetics — 60 women, DB-RCT, wheat glucosylceramides/digalactosyl diglycerides; ↑ hydration, ↓ TEWL, improved dryness over 12 weeks. 
   
2. Kern C. et al., 2024 — J Cosmet Dermatol — Parallel-group RCT; wheat polar lipid complex (Ceramosides™); improved hydration/skin condition in dry, mildly photoaged skin. 
   
3. Guillou S. et al., 2010 — Int J Cosmet Sci — “Moisturizing effect of a wheat extract food supplement” DB-RCT; improved hydration in women with dry skin. (Cited within 2025 whitepaper). 
   
4. Nobile V. et al., 2025 — Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol (Dove Press) — Oral polar lipid-rich wheat extract; recovery effects in dry/mildly aged skin (placebo-controlled). 
   
5. Sun Q. et al., 2022 — Nutrients (review) — Dietary ceramides/HA/collagen supplements effective for moisturization (evidence synthesis). (Supporting) 
   
6. Sanjaya A. et al., 2024 — Nutrients — Review referencing meta-analysis of 7 oral ceramide studies (↑ hydration, ↓ TEWL). (Supporting) 
   
7. Yong T-L. et al., 2025 — Exp Dermatol (review) — Ceramides & skin health including plant-derived oral ceramides. (Supporting) 
   

Hyaluronic Acid (9)

1. Oe M. et al., 2017 — Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol — DB-RCT, 120 mg/day HA (2 k & 300 k Da), 12 weeks; ↓ wrinkle parameters, ↑ luster/suppleness. 
   
2. Göllner I. et al., 2017 — J Evid Based Complement Altern Med — Oral HA solution 40 days; ↑ elasticity & hydration, ↓ roughness/wrinkle depth. (Open-label controlled) 
   
3. Hsu T-F. et al., 2021 — Nutrients — DB-RCT, 120 mg/day HA, 12 weeks (n=40); ↑ hydration & elasticity, ↓ TEWL; improved wrinkles. 
   
4. Gao Y-R. et al., 2023 — Nutrients / PubMed — DB-RCT, 129 women; HA improved hydration (2–8 wks), tone (4–8 wks), ↑ epidermal thickness (12 wks). 
   
5. Montero-Vílchez T. et al., 2025 — Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) — DB-RCT, HA matrix (Dermial®) 12 weeks; SCH↑, elasticity↑; instrumental radiance metrics. 
   
6. Amin P. et al., 2025 — J Drugs Dermatol (meta-analysis) — 7 RCTs pooled; HA significantly improves hydration & elasticity, reduces wrinkles. (Supporting) 
   
7. Tursi F. (Michelotti) et al., 2021 — clinical report — Full-spectrum HA; improvements in hydration/smoothness/elasticity. 
   
8. Shang L. et al., 2024 — Trends Food Sci Technol (review) — Summarizes oral HA RCT outcomes (↑ elasticity, ↑ SCH, ↓ wrinkles). (Supporting) 
   
9. Grier-Welch A-M. et al., 2025 — Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) — DB-RCT, HA + wheat oil extract; improved crow’s feet, smoothness; ↑ hydration/elasticity. (Combo formula) 

Pine Bark Extract (5)

1. Marini A. et al., 2012 — Skin Pharmacol Physiol — 75 mg/day, 12 weeks, women 55–68; ↑ elasticity (~25%), ↑ hydration (~8%); ↑ COL1A1/1A2 & HAS-1 expression. 
   
2. Dermatology Times summary, 2012 — Coverage of Marini et al. trial endpoints & methods. (Secondary report) 
   
3. Muzumdar S. et al., 2021 — Clin Dermatol (review) — Cites Pycnogenol human data on hydration/elasticity. (Supporting) 
   
4. Nutraceutical Business Review, 2021 — 100 mg/day study (seasonal) improved elasticity/firmness vs placebo. (Secondary report) 
   
5. Longdom review, 2016 — Summarizes 12-week Pycnogenol improvements (elasticity +25%, hydration +8%, smoothness +6%). (Supporting) 

Polypodium leucotomos (8)

1. Nestor M.S. et al., 2015 — J Clin Aesthet Dermatol — DB-RCT, PLE 240 mg BID 60 days; ↑ MED, ↓ UV-induced erythema; fewer sunburns vs placebo. 
   
2. Ahmed A.M. et al., 2013 — JAMA Dermatology — DB-RCT, melasma adjunct (PLE 240 mg TID + sunscreen); pigmentation outcomes. 
   
3. Kohli I. et al., 2017 — J Am Acad Dermatol — Molecular/photobiologic effects of oral PLE on MED, erythema, histology. 
   
4. Goh C.L. et al., 2018 — J Clin Aesthet Dermatol — DB-RCT, melasma (Asian skin); clinical improvement signals with oral PLE. 
   
5. Keršmanc P. et al., 2025 — Nutrients — DB-RCT, 8 weeks, PLE + red-orange extract + vitamins; ↑ MED, ↓ UVB-erythema. (Combo) 
   
6. Choudhry S.Z. et al., 2014 — J Clin Aesthet Dermatol (review) — Clinical & mechanistic overview of oral PLE as photoprotectant. (Supporting) 
   
7. Zakria D. et al., 2025 — J Drugs Dermatol (review/clinical summary) — Aggregates DB-RTC data on PLE effects on MED, erythema. (Supporting) 
   
8. Sharifzadeh A. et al., 2024 — PhotoDermatol Photoimmunol Photomed — PLE adjunct with NB-UVB; improved light tolerance (photosensitivity cohort). 

Astaxanthin (6)

1. Tominaga K. et al., 2012 — Acta Biochim Polonica — RCTs (women; and 36 healthy men, 6 mg/day, 6 weeks); ↓ crow’s-feet wrinkles, ↑ elasticity, ↓ TEWL; moisture trend ↑. 
   
2. Konisky H. et al., 2023 — J Cosmet Dermatol — DB-RCT, 6 mg/day astaxanthin × 6 weeks; ↑ elasticity, ↓ wrinkles, ↓ TEWL. 
   
3. Ng Q.X. et al., 2021 — Am J Clin Dermatol (systematic review) — 6 RCTs + open-label; consistent benefits for texture, wrinkles, moisture; photoprotection. (Supporting) 
   
4. Davinelli S. et al., 2018 — Nutrients (review) — Summarizes human ASX trials including 6 mg/day male RCT; improvements in wrinkles, elasticity, TEWL, moisture. (Supporting) 
   
5. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05376501, 2022 — Planned DB-RCT on astaxanthin (hydration, elasticity, pigmentation, redness). (Registry) 
   
6. CT.gov/CTIS (Veeva) 2023 registry — DB-RCT plan assessing oral astaxanthin on photoaging outcomes. (Registry) 

Lutein + Zeaxanthin (3)

1. Juturu V. et al., 2016 — Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol — DB-RCT, 10 mg lutein + zeaxanthin isomers 12 weeks; ↑ overall skin tone (L*), ↑ MED; “skin-lightening/clarity” improved vs placebo. 
2. Ruocco P.P.G.F.V. et al., 2007 — Multicenter RCT of combined oral + topical lutein/zeaxanthin: ↑ hydration and elasticity, improved radiance (women 25–50). •
3. ISRCTN15646478 (Lutemax™ 2020) — RCT registry for L/Z skin lightening/hydration/roughness outcomes.