Kimchi, kombucha, yogurt, wine…these are all some delicious fermented food staples that may be in your daily diet. But, do you also use fermented skincare ingredients in your current facial routine? There are some great fermented skin care benefits that are becoming more widely known and researched. Lets breakdown the different claims and why you should (or shouldn’t) add them to your routine. Let’s dive into fermented skincare benefits 2021!
What does Fermentation do?
We often choose fermented foods for their healthy probiotics and nutrients known to boost the immune system and improve gut health (source). For example, wine provides the body with more antioxidants than simply drinking a glass of grape juice (source)!
“Fermentation is a process where you introduce a microbe, bacteria, or yeast into an ingredient, and the process changes the chemical structure of the ingredient by breaking it down into the basic building blocks,” says Caroline Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with The Rhode Island Dermatology Institute (source). The same process applies to making fermented skincare ingredients/formulas. Fermented skincare typically has a concentration of ceramides, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and lactic acid (source). All of these help balance and improve the skin’s microbiome.
Fermented Skin Care Benefits
The use of fermented skin care has been a trend in korean beauty for quite a long time. As with most popular K beauty trends, the trend is making headlines in the West. But, just a reminder that this is not a new process! In fact, you may actually be using fermented skincare ingredients without even knowing it.
Although a beloved trend by many, it is not very well researched yet. It isn’t easy to make many general claims about the efficacy. Still, I believe fermented skincare sounds very promising and worth a try for many. Let’s break down the different claims and fermented skin care benefits:
- Fermented red ginseng shows increased improvement on brightening and wrinkles than traditional red ginseng does
Read More on Gingseng Skincare
- Fermented soy has the ability to improve production of hyaluronic acid within the skin.
Those are the claims that we can back up with research studies. Here are some more claims that are also associated with fermented skincare without as much scientific evidence yet:
- The process of fermentation breaks down the ingredients into much smaller molecules that can more easily be absorbed into the skin. This potentially makes the ingredients more effective and potent in your skincare products.
- Fermented skincare care benefits also include increased shelf life of your product. By having antimicrobial properties and naturally lower pH level, your fermented skin care will last and continue to provide positive benefits to the skin.
- It is especially recommend for those with dry skin as it can work to improve the skin’s ability to retain moisture (source).
Overall, we are lacking research in many aspects of the skincare and beauty realm. I believe that fermented skincare is a trend that comes with some amazing, positive benefits to the skin! As with many topics, a chemist, formulator, skincare collector, esthetician will all have different opinions on this.
My personal experience with fermented skin care benefits have included many positive outcomes for my skin. As with any skincare trend, ingredient or other- it will work for many but not for all. But, I absolutely recommend checking it out!
Examples of Fermented Skincare
107 Beauty Everyday Plump Hydro Cream: This brand is known for using 7 year aged vinegar plus several ferment filtrates in their entire skincare line- so unique!
I’m From Ginseng Serum: this is such a fabulous anti-aging serum without all the irritation! I love using this in the morning or night, and can immediately see a brightening effect.
Neogen Real Ferment Line: contains 90% of fermented ingredients to improve skin firmness, hydration and overall brightness.
Missha Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence: a best-selling korean skincare product known for its double fermentation process for more powerful actives. This helps to plump the skin, improve hyperpigmentation, and refine overall skin texture.
Good (Skin) Days On the Bright Side Moisturizer: this formula uses rice ferment filtrate, sake, and probiotics to balance the skin’s microbiome. This is a very light texture recommended for oily or combo skin types.
SK-II Facial Treatment Essence: a cult favorite skincare product that uses their star ingredient pitera, which is derived from the fermentation process
Entire Tatcha Line: while it sure is a luxury line, the products are full of fermented Japanese superfoods that work synergistically with the skin. I personally have gotten benefits from Tatcha’s products that I haven’t gotten from other skincare!
Cosrx Galactomytes 95 Tone Balancing Essence: this gentle essence is great at brightening the skin and helping improve dullness
Naturium Fermented Camellia Creamy Cleansing Oil: a great first cleanse option to cleanse away makeup, sunscreen and impurities
Fermented Skincare Wrap-Up
While the research on all of the claims of fermented skincare may be lacking, it is hard to deny the benefits you get when using it! I personally have seen improvements from the potent anti aging and beneficial nutrients in some of my favorite fermented skincare products. Hopefully, this helps you to understand this Korean beauty trend that is emerging in Western skincare.
So, what do you think? Are you trying fermented skincare?
Very interesting! I had no idea this existed. Something I will definitely try!
Glad I could bring awareness of this trend to you! Thanks for stopping by and reading 🙂