Fermented foods (like yogurt, kimchi, wine, etc.) are all around you, and they come highly recommended by doctors and nutritionists who claim they’re essential for diversifying your diet and improving digestion and gut health. But it’s not just your gut that can be improved with the use of fermented ingredients—they can benefit your skin too and are said to have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
Of course, this doesn’t mean it’s time for you to grab a container of single-serve yogurt and slather it across your face in hopes of reducing inflammation and irritation. These days you can find tons of fermented skincare products that do all the work for you in the form of serums, toners, cleansers, and more.
To get the lowdown on fermented skincare and how to incorporate it into your skincare routine, read ahead.
What Is Fermented Skincare?
Understanding what fermented skincare is starts with understanding the process behind fermentation itself. For anyone who may have slept through their high school biology courses, fermentation is a chemical process during which microorganisms like bacteria and yeast break down carbs (like sugar) to turn them into something new that’s alcoholic or acidic. Think about all of the fermented foods that are in your diet right now: red wine is created through the process of adding yeast to crushed grapes in order for the sugar from said grapes to convert into alcohol, while yogurt is created when a specific kind of bacteria is added to milk to transform lactose (a natural sugar) into the lactic acid that gives the yogurt its sharp flavor.
This same process can be used to break down certain skincare ingredients (usually natural ones) so that they can be transformed into different compounds that can benefit the skin. In short, a fermented skincare product is just any product that contains an ingredient that’s been broken down and fermented. The aforementioned lactic acid, for example, is naturally found in yogurt, but it’s also used in plenty of skincare products since it’s a very popular alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that can get rid of dead skin and improve the appearance of fine lines and texture. Mushrooms and lemons can also be fermented and added to products like serums, moisturizers, and cleansers.
What Are the Benefits of Using Fermented Skincare Products?
Fermentation causes active ingredients to be broken down into much smaller molecules, meaning that a fermented skincare product can actually be absorbed into the skin better, not to mention they can penetrate the skin more deeply and be more beneficial for hydrating and reducing texture. Also, in the same way that fermented foods and beverages like yogurt, kimchi, wine, and kombucha include probiotics that can support digestion and improve your gut health, fermented skincare is also rich in probiotics that balance your skin’s microbiome. In the long run, this can reduce inflammation and dryness, fight acne, strengthen your skin barrier, and decrease signs of aging by boosting collagen production.
What Are the Most Common Fermented Skincare Ingredients?
Lactic acid is probably the most popular fermented skincare ingredient. As stated before, it’s an AHA that gently exfoliates and brightens the skin while reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. It’s typically found in exfoliating serums and cleansers as well as stronger resurfacing peels. Other ingredients like mushrooms, green tea, ginseng, and black rice can also be fermented and added to skincare products. Green tea contains antioxidants that protect against free radical damage and premature aging while also soothing the skin and reducing inflammation; ginseng can also reduce signs of aging, brighten dark spots, and increase skin elasticity; fermented black rice, which is a hero ingredient in several of our products, can protect the skin from environmental stressors like UV rays and pollution while boosting collagen production and making the skin feel bouncier.
The Best Fermented Skincare Products
Fermented skincare products are great for giving the pores a deep but gentle cleanse, but most importantly, they’re extremely beneficial when it comes to repairing a damaged skin barrier. If your skin is dehydrated or dull, or if you notice an increase in sensitivity, it’s likely your barrier is compromised and your skincare routine is in need of an overhaul.
Our Black Rice Triple AHA Cleansing Gel is a great place to start. It’s a soft, translucent gel that features other AHAs like citric, mandelic, and tartaric acids to deeply clean the pores and get rid of any dirt, texture, and grittiness on the skin without stripping it of its natural oils. Black rice also has antioxidant properties that prevent damage from stress, pollution, and the sun. Just apply a small amount to skin that’s already damp and cleanse for 30 seconds after it gently foams up, then rinse it off with warm water. Similarly, our Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner is a watery, fragrance-free formula (so you don’t have to worry about sensitivity) that can be used directly after cleansing to remedy dryness. It uses ultra-hydrating hyaluronic acid to drench the skin with moisture and give you a clear, glassy complexion without any stickiness or heaviness. It’s so good that testers in a clinical trial reported improved skin texture and hydration after just two weeks of use.
The next skin-saving product worth considering is the Black Rice 10 Hyaluronic Cream. It’s another hyaluronic acid-rich formula that has a soft, non-greasy texture, and it works best when it’s applied directly after a toning product. Fermented black rice evens out the skin tone and reduces texture while safflower seed oil hydrates and absorbs quickly without making the skin feel sticky.
If you’re old enough to be reading about fermented skincare and whether or not you need it, then you’re old enough to also need an eye cream. Antioxidants in the Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream can help tackle dark circles and puffiness, while bakuchiol, a natural, more gentle alternative for retinol, improves elasticity and reduces the appearance of fine lines and crow’s feet. Add a few dots of this potent cream to the skin underneath your eyes right before moisturizing or applying concealer, and if you’re anything like our pool of testers, you’ll notice brighter under eyes and a reduction of wrinkles after just four weeks of consistent use.
Lastly, you should be wearing sunscreen daily, but especially if you’re applying ingredients that might increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. The Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen SPF 50 is a reef-safe, mineral formula that can protect your skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays, but it’s also a reliable moisturizer that can hydrate the skin without making it feel oily or greasy.
Fermented skincare might not sound too glamorous, but when used correctly, it can work wonders for your skin barrier. If you’ve been suffering from irritation, dryness, or dullness, try giving your routine a boost with a fermented ingredient, and your complexion will appear bright and more hydrated in no time.
Why Fermented Skincare Products Might Be the Savior You Need For Your Damaged Skin Barrier
Fermented foods (like yogurt, kimchi, wine, etc.) are all around you, and they come highly recommended by doctors and nutritionists who claim they’re essential for diversifying your diet and improving digestion and gut health. But it’s not just your gut that can be improved with the use of fermented ingredients—they can benefit your skin too and are said to have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
Of course, this doesn’t mean it’s time for you to grab a container of single-serve yogurt and slather it across your face in hopes of reducing inflammation and irritation. These days you can find tons of fermented skincare products that do all the work for you in the form of serums, toners, cleansers, and more.
To get the lowdown on fermented skincare and how to incorporate it into your skincare routine, read ahead.
What Is Fermented Skincare?
Understanding what fermented skincare is starts with understanding the process behind fermentation itself. For anyone who may have slept through their high school biology courses, fermentation is a chemical process during which microorganisms like bacteria and yeast break down carbs (like sugar) to turn them into something new that’s alcoholic or acidic. Think about all of the fermented foods that are in your diet right now: red wine is created through the process of adding yeast to crushed grapes in order for the sugar from said grapes to convert into alcohol, while yogurt is created when a specific kind of bacteria is added to milk to transform lactose (a natural sugar) into the lactic acid that gives the yogurt its sharp flavor.
This same process can be used to break down certain skincare ingredients (usually natural ones) so that they can be transformed into different compounds that can benefit the skin. In short, a fermented skincare product is just any product that contains an ingredient that’s been broken down and fermented. The aforementioned lactic acid, for example, is naturally found in yogurt, but it’s also used in plenty of skincare products since it’s a very popular alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that can get rid of dead skin and improve the appearance of fine lines and texture. Mushrooms and lemons can also be fermented and added to products like serums, moisturizers, and cleansers.
What Are the Benefits of Using Fermented Skincare Products?
Fermentation causes active ingredients to be broken down into much smaller molecules, meaning that a fermented skincare product can actually be absorbed into the skin better, not to mention they can penetrate the skin more deeply and be more beneficial for hydrating and reducing texture. Also, in the same way that fermented foods and beverages like yogurt, kimchi, wine, and kombucha include probiotics that can support digestion and improve your gut health, fermented skincare is also rich in probiotics that balance your skin’s microbiome. In the long run, this can reduce inflammation and dryness, fight acne, strengthen your skin barrier, and decrease signs of aging by boosting collagen production.
What Are the Most Common Fermented Skincare Ingredients?
Lactic acid is probably the most popular fermented skincare ingredient. As stated before, it’s an AHA that gently exfoliates and brightens the skin while reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. It’s typically found in exfoliating serums and cleansers as well as stronger resurfacing peels. Other ingredients like mushrooms, green tea, ginseng, and black rice can also be fermented and added to skincare products. Green tea contains antioxidants that protect against free radical damage and premature aging while also soothing the skin and reducing inflammation; ginseng can also reduce signs of aging, brighten dark spots, and increase skin elasticity; fermented black rice, which is a hero ingredient in several of our products, can protect the skin from environmental stressors like UV rays and pollution while boosting collagen production and making the skin feel bouncier.
The Best Fermented Skincare Products
Fermented skincare products are great for giving the pores a deep but gentle cleanse, but most importantly, they’re extremely beneficial when it comes to repairing a damaged skin barrier. If your skin is dehydrated or dull, or if you notice an increase in sensitivity, it’s likely your barrier is compromised and your skincare routine is in need of an overhaul.
Our Black Rice Triple AHA Cleansing Gel is a great place to start. It’s a soft, translucent gel that features other AHAs like citric, mandelic, and tartaric acids to deeply clean the pores and get rid of any dirt, texture, and grittiness on the skin without stripping it of its natural oils. Black rice also has antioxidant properties that prevent damage from stress, pollution, and the sun. Just apply a small amount to skin that’s already damp and cleanse for 30 seconds after it gently foams up, then rinse it off with warm water. Similarly, our Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner is a watery, fragrance-free formula (so you don’t have to worry about sensitivity) that can be used directly after cleansing to remedy dryness. It uses ultra-hydrating hyaluronic acid to drench the skin with moisture and give you a clear, glassy complexion without any stickiness or heaviness. It’s so good that testers in a clinical trial reported improved skin texture and hydration after just two weeks of use.
The next skin-saving product worth considering is the Black Rice 10 Hyaluronic Cream. It’s another hyaluronic acid-rich formula that has a soft, non-greasy texture, and it works best when it’s applied directly after a toning product. Fermented black rice evens out the skin tone and reduces texture while safflower seed oil hydrates and absorbs quickly without making the skin feel sticky.
If you’re old enough to be reading about fermented skincare and whether or not you need it, then you’re old enough to also need an eye cream. Antioxidants in the Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream can help tackle dark circles and puffiness, while bakuchiol, a natural, more gentle alternative for retinol, improves elasticity and reduces the appearance of fine lines and crow’s feet. Add a few dots of this potent cream to the skin underneath your eyes right before moisturizing or applying concealer, and if you’re anything like our pool of testers, you’ll notice brighter under eyes and a reduction of wrinkles after just four weeks of consistent use.
Lastly, you should be wearing sunscreen daily, but especially if you’re applying ingredients that might increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. The Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen SPF 50 is a reef-safe, mineral formula that can protect your skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays, but it’s also a reliable moisturizer that can hydrate the skin without making it feel oily or greasy.
Fermented skincare might not sound too glamorous, but when used correctly, it can work wonders for your skin barrier. If you’ve been suffering from irritation, dryness, or dullness, try giving your routine a boost with a fermented ingredient, and your complexion will appear bright and more hydrated in no time.