Recently the trend of fermented skincare has become much more popular. It is nothing new, you have probably used skincare products with fermented ingredients without you even noticing it. In fact, a lot of Korean beauty skincare ingredients are fermented. It is increasingly become more available across the world and brands are adopting the trend and making more strong formulas to help improve your skin.
What is Fermented Skincare?
Fermentation is a natural process where bacteria releases enzymes that will break down the ingredients around. Most people usually think about foods such as yogurt, kimchi, beer and wine when we talk about fermentation.
In fact, the fermentation process is actually quite similar in skincare. Some skincare ingredients are placed into a space where oxygen is limited and this leads to postbiotic products that become beneficial to your skin. A lab uses micro-organisms such as bacteria to break down the skincare ingredients into different and smaller molecules.
Benefits of Fermented Skincare
One of the biggest benefits of fermented skincare is that they have the ability to make your skincare ingredients smaller. The fermentation process breaks down the ingredients into smaller molecules and allows for it to be better absorbed. When looking for skincare products, they might use the terms ‘biocompatible’ or ‘bioavailable’ to suggest that the formula is more easily absorbed. However, currently there is still more scientific research that needs to be done to fully confirm this theory.
It has been suggested that fermentation can also make the skincare ingredients more powerful and potent. Think of it like wine, the yeast helps secrete enzymes and makes the wine stronger and more potent over time. The fermentation also produces byproducts such as vitamins, amino acids, antioxidants, minerals and peptides. These all will help increase the nutrient density of the ingredient.
In addition, fermentation also usually produces a product that is lower in pH and thereby decreasing the chance of bacterial growth and increasing the skincare product’s shelf life.
What Korean Fermented Skincare Products are Worth Trying?
CORSX Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence
This is a good water based essence that contains 95.4% of Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate. This is an ingredient that is created from fermented sake and is in many skincare essences. Galactomyces is basically a nutrient rich yeast that is derived from sake. It is rich in amino acids, vitamins and minerals and might help decrease the amount of wrinkles, improve pigmentation and improve your skin radiance.
It is gentle, lightweight and nourishing for your skin. You would apply this essence to your skin after using a cleanser and toner (which I think you can skip if you want to). Not only does it nourish your skin, it will also help hydrate your skin cells. Much like a toner, the essence can also help your skin absorb any serums and moisturisers applied afterwards.
I’m From Rice Serum
This serum’s main ingredient is 73% fermented rice embryo extract. It is blended with niacinamide to help provide your skin with antioxidants, vitamin B and boost collagen production. In addition, the rice bud extract and hyaluronic acid will also help moisturise your skin.
The serum is slightly on the thicker consistency, but it blends pretty well onto your face. Ideally, I would use it in my nighttime skincare routine and apply a moisturiser right after to help seal it in. After using it, I felt like my face did feel a little smoother and more glossy.
Innisfree Youth Enhancing Serum with Black Tea
This face serum uses fermented black tea to help provide antioxidants that can hydrate and soothe. The main ingredients in the serum is black tea, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. This serum helps brighten, soothe and hydrate your face to help it achieve a healthy glow.
It is pretty lightweight and easily absorbed. During summer, it would make a good lightweight moisturiser to use during the day if you do not need intense hydration. It does not leave your skin sticky or oily as the consistency is more watery and feels pleasant to apply.
Innisfree Firming Energy Cream with Fermented Soybean
This Innisfree cream contains fermented Jeju Green Soybean. This soybean goes through fermentation to help boost the anti-aging properties and this results in a more concentrated extract to help nourish your skin. This lightweight cream helps provide a boost of energy to keep your skin firm and supple. Not only does it provide anti-aging effects, it also helps keep your skin barrier strong and reduce visible signs of wrinkles.
This cream has more of a gel consistency and is lightweight and spreads smoothly on your face. It feels refreshing and really does help keep your face hydrated and dewy looking.
Skin Food Rice Daily Brightening Cleansing Foam
This is a cleansing foam that is infused with Cheorwon Odae rice bran water and Rice Nuruk Fermented Water. It’s a cleansing foam that boosts their ability to brighten your face and provide a glow. This is because rice water is rich in amino acids and antioxidants that have anti-aging benefits and might also brighten your skin to provide an even skin tone.
Through regular cleansing, it can help clear away the impurities while also providing a boost of antioxidants to help even out your skin tone and bring out a natural glow. The cleanser turns into a nice bouncy foam when mixed with a little of water. It helps clean your skin without completely stripping out your natural moisture. Because it is lightweight, I would suggest that this is good for those with sensitive skin too.
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