So, What Does Fermented Skin Care Actually Mean? Benefits & Best Products

Known for boosting digestion, fermented foods have long been a staple for health-forward individuals. We understand just how these foods nourish our guts and, in turn, keep our complexions glowing. But applying them topically? You likely have some questions. Fermented skin care is highly technical, but you've come to the right place to sate your curiosity! 

When a skin care ingredient is fermented, that means it's been broken down in a lab by specific beneficial microorganisms (think bacteria or yeast). Through enzymatic reactions, it gets deconstructed into its simpler, smaller parts.

In terms of botanical sources, "Fermented skin care ingredients are typically sourced from natural plants and fruits, such as lemon peels, sugar cane, or rice," says Teresa Song, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical.

These ingredients contain beneficial amino acids, beta glucans, vitamins, peptides, and ceramides, she adds, and through the fermentation process, these molecules become more easily absorbed by the skin. 

"Both fermented and probiotic/postbiotic skin care uses beneficial microorganisms," says Song, but fermented skin care uses organic molecules from natural botanical sources, like honey, sugar cane, lemon, etc. 

Biotic skin care, however, doesn't have to come straight from the plant source. Researchers have been able to identify specific, beneficial outputs from the bacteria living on our skin naturally (peptides, fatty acids, etc.) and recreate them en masse. 

"Postbiotic skin care is similar to fermented skin care, where the byproduct from the microorganism is utilized, which can contain nourishing skin foods such as peptides and fatty acids," says Song. Similar to fermented skin care, yes, but not the same thing. 

When you think about the gut-skin axis, it makes sense why fermented ingredients are so good for your complexion. What you put in your mouth indeed influences your skin1, which is why eating fermented foods is an A+ idea for skin health. But topically, fermented staples can serve your skin barrier too. 

Since the process makes actives more soothing, fermented skin care is top-notch for those with sensitive skin. "The fermentation process mimics the biological process of breaking down organic compounds, such as plants and fruits and generally yields organic byproducts like peptides and organic acids that are well tolerated by sensitive skin," says Song. 

Fermented ingredients also have a more acidic pH, which makes them more tolerable to the skin (which has a slightly acidic pH), Koestline adds.

But generally, fermented skin care is great for all skin types. "Depending on the byproducts from the process, it can be protective for skin barrier, hydrating, or gently exfoliating to address dryness and uneven texture of skin," Song adds. 

For example, healthy bacteria isolated from kimchi has been found2 to reduce the growth of C. acnes, aka, the acne-causing bacteria, while ferments from kombucha are associated with increased skin hydration3.