We all know by now that the beauty industry keeps churning out new trends and introducing ingredients that promise to revolutionise our skincare routines. Guess what's been trending lately? Fermented skincare.
Due to the known benefits that fermented and probiotic foods have in our gut health and overall well-being, fermented ingredients have now crossed over to the world of skincare, and they're promising really interesting stuff!
Today, we will explore the science behind this growing trend and understand if and how it might be beneficial for our skin.
So, what's the deal with fermented skincare?
It’s all about the good stuff they claim to do for our skin. These products are often marketed as repairing, calming, balancing, hydrating, anti-oxidant and anti-ageing. A holy grail, basically. But what's the science behind it?
When skincare ingredients go through fermentation, they break down into smaller molecules, potentially enabling better absorption into the skin. Another claimed benefit of the fermentation process is that it can actually boost the power of these ingredients.
So essentially, the fermentation process makes the formulation more effective in addressing various skin concerns. But there’s more! One of the most significant benefits attributed to fermented skincare is the production of probiotics and postbiotics.
Probiotics are live bacteria that help restore the equilibrium of your skin’s microbiome ecosystem by increasing the number of good bacteria. These friendly guys play a crucial role in maintaining healthy skin and can help soothe inflammation or redness.
Postbiotics are the by-products of the fermentation process that appear when probiotics interact with the skin's natural microbiome. They also offer nourishing benefits to your skin’s barrier and contribute to its overall health and strengthening. They both work together to make your skin happier, healthier and more resilient.
So, summarizing, this is why we're into fermented skincare:
It can make our skin's defence game stronger: It strengthens our skin’s barrier and its capabilities to defend from aggressors in the environment (like free radicals, pollution or sun damage)
It's said to be great for reducing inflammation and improving skin concerns like dermatitis, eczema, sensitivity, rosacea, and even acne. Glass skin, here we goo!
Due to the increased potency of its ingredients, it can help in diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, leading to a more youthful you
But hold up! More research is needed
Experts agree that more and larger studies are yet still required to back up all these claims and prove the effectiveness of fermented skincare across its formats. While we're waiting for more concrete evidence, there's no harm in giving it a shot and seeing what it can do for you. Fermented skincare is generally considered safe, so if you're curious, it’s worth giving it a try. Just remember to patch test first. Better safe than sorry!
If you’re excited to try out some products, you’ll find tons of options out there across a wide array of international brands, although they’re (obviously) more prominent in K-beauty brands like PURITO, SKII, innisfree, Manyo, or Beauty of Joseon.
Our experience
We’ve tried a few different probiotic-rich products:
NEOGEN Probiotics Double Action Serum We loved that it's free from silicon and parabens – a big win for those of us looking for skincare options free of unnecessary add-ons. The serum is packed with ceramides, bifida, and other ferments, which sounds really promising!
After applying it, our skin felt noticeably smoother and calm. However, we didn't see get to see significant long-term improvements over time. It's a good addition to any skincare routine especially for those days when you’re experiencing extremely sensitive, inflamed or reactive skin. A smoother, calmer skin is always a plus!
KORRES Greek Yoghurt Probiotic SuperDose Face Mask A winning product we’d recommend over and over. Packed with yoghurt, squalane, glycerin, aloe vera, shea butter, and their signature microbiome technology, this mask is like a spa day for your face. Not only does it soothe our skin and calm redness, but it also leaves our skin feeling refreshed, plump, and super hydrated. With regular use, we noticed our skin becoming more balanced and improved. We keep coming back to it for that healthy and balanced skin feeling.
KORRES Greek Yoghurt Wide Awake Eye Gel An award-winning eye serum that looks innocent but means business. This little serum combines two superb technologies to tackle dark circles and under-eye puffiness: Probiotics and caffeine. And..it actually works. Minutes after applying it, we noticed a visible improvement in the appearance of our under-eye area. If you’re searching for a refreshed, more awake look, this one is for you.
You can find most of these products and many more in LOOKFANTASTIC, which ships all over the world. If you purchase via this link, you will enjoy a 5€ discount on your first order.
Have you tried any fermented or probiotic-packed products? Let us know in the comments!