Regarding food, fermentation is critical—and it turns out that this process can work wonders for your skin. That’s why you may see fermented ingredients, like copper peptide, in your favorite moisturizers and toners.
Cult-favorite harnesses this ingredient in its pink treatment essence, formulated with lactic acid to exfoliate, and volcanic water for skin barrier repair. It also features anti-inflammatory licorice and toning witch hazel.
It’s a Source of Amino Acids
Like grapes become wine and cabbage become kimchi, fermentation makes some of the most potent ingredients in skincare more bioavailable. This is because it breaks down large, complex molecules into smaller ones that are easier for your skin to absorb.
As such, fermented ingredients can deliver a higher concentration of antioxidants, peptides, amino acids, and vitamins into the deeper layers of the skin. This helps reduce inflammation, balance the microbiome, and promote a more even complexion. In addition, mineral ferments California are increasingly popular in skincare formulations for their ability to nourish the skin and enhance its natural radiance.
For example, the bio-chelated mineral blend in cleansing oil contains a combination of rice ferment and seed ferment that helps to increase the penetration rate of other key ingredients. This includes the active bifida ferment lysate, which strengthens and protects the skin barrier against damage. This is crucial to achieving healthy, youthful-looking skin. It also helps prevent environmental stressors from damaging the pores and increasing signs of aging, including fine lines and wrinkles.
It’s a Natural Antioxidant
Just like grapes are fermented into wine and cabbage is turned into kimchi, fermentation can be used in the lab to break down ingredients into smaller molecules that can better penetrate the skin. It’s “essentially science’s way of sticking a ray gun to your ingredients,” a cosmetic chemist says.
The results include a higher concentration of active ingredients and many antioxidants that help fight free radical damage. “This can enhance the efficacy of natural products and make them more effective,” a dermatologist says.
The cult-favorite brand uses formula fermentation to amplify the effects of high-quality ingredients, like this pink treatment essence that combines meadowfoam oil to lock in moisture and lactic acid for gentle exfoliation. It also contains fermented black tea to help neutralize free-radical damage, vitamin C and kelp for brightening, and a trifecta of pre-and probiotics to help improve elasticity.
It’s a Natural Moisturizer
Just like grapes turn into wine and cabbage into kimchi, fermentation in the lab harnesses microorganisms to break down large ingredient compounds into smaller ones that are more readily absorbable by your skin. “Fermentation helps to ‘enhance the potency’ of certain ingredients, especially those that are more difficult to penetrate your skin,” a board-certified dermatologist says.
One of the first fermented beauty products to become a cult classic, a natural byproduct of yeast fermentation that is said to improve skin elasticity and reduce fine lines. It’s also known to strengthen your skin barrier, improve radiance, and lighten dark spots, helping hydrate the complexion.
Other popular fermented skincare ingredients include radish root, aloe vera, lavender, tea leaves, purslane, and yacon root. These ingredients are all rich in antioxidants and natural humectants.
It’s a Natural Exfoliant
Fermentation is like a “Ray Gun” for Ingredients: Fermentation breaks down larger organic plant structures and complex molecules into more minor, bio-available elements. This makes it easier for the skin to absorb and utilize those ingredients.
For example, the fermented extract from the desert plant Eriodictyon californicum is an excellent natural exfoliant, boosting cell turnover and smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles without any irritation associated with acids. Some use it in their Vitamin B3 + Black Tea Serum.
Similarly, pitera (a natural byproduct of yeast fermentation) is rich in probiotics and postbiotics and can improve skin lucency, lighten dark spots, and decrease the visibility of wrinkles. It’s also a great anti-inflammatory, especially for sensitive skin.
In other words, it’s a true multitasker! It’s an ingredient in various products, from cleansers to serums and brightening masks.
