The latest hot topic in the world of cosmetics is fermented cosmetics. Fermented cosmetics have been produced for over 10 years, mainly in South Korea and Japan, but recently it has become a very strong trend and more and more brands are starting to produce fermented lines. Today, practically every reputable Korean cosmetic brand has at least one fermented skincare line. Wondering why? In this article, we’ll talk about what fermented cosmetics are, how they differ from regular ones, and what makes them so good.
At the last Beauty Fair, we were talking to some customers about The Skin House products and mentioned in passing that we have a fermented cosmetics line, to which a customer replied that she doesn’t like scented cosmetics. This gave us the idea that we should introduce our readers a bit more to what fermented cosmetics actually are.
What is fermentation?
Actually, fermentation is not related to scent in any way. Fermentation does not mean adding fragrance. It’s a complex-sounding word, but it actually means the process of culturing or pickling. For example, the sauerkraut your grandmother puts in a jar is fermented, as are kefir and wine. Fermented or cultured foods have been prepared for centuries; this was especially important before refrigerators existed because fermented food lasts longer. But that’s not the only reason—fermented food is also very beneficial.
Simply put, fermentation is a process of breaking down substances under the influence of enzymes contained in bacteria or yeast organisms. During this process, organic substances are decomposed and different substances are formed.
What are the benefits of fermented cosmetics?
- Smaller molecules. During the fermentation process, molecules become much smaller. Thanks to this, fermented cosmetics penetrate the skin faster and deeper than regular cosmetics, and the body absorbs them better due to these small molecules. For this reason alone, fermented cosmetics are several times more effective.
- More vitamins and other beneficial nutrients. Just as fermented food contains more nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants and is more concentrated, the same applies to cosmetics. Fermented cosmetics contain more vitamins (especially B-group vitamins), minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and various probiotic strains. This makes fermented cosmetics much more effective.
- Longer shelf life. In the past, food was fermented so it would last longer. Fermented cosmetics also stay fresh longer than regular ones. Fermentation prevents the growth of pathogenic bacteria, which means significantly fewer preservatives are added to fermented cosmetics.
- Detox. Detoxification occurs during the fermentation process, which means fermented cosmetics contain significantly fewer toxins and other harmful substances. Fermented cosmetics are therefore much more skin-friendly and better suited for sensitive and allergy-prone skin.
All this makes fermented cosmetics much more effective, safer, and more suitable for sensitive skin. Fermentation makes cosmetics gentler and more skin-friendly. The anti-aging effect of fermented cosmetics is also much stronger. Fermented cosmetics moisturize and protect the skin better, nourish it with vitamins, smooth wrinkles more effectively, restore, renew, and refresh the skin, making it healthy and beautiful. If you have sensitive or problematic skin and find it very difficult to find cosmetics that suit you, we highly recommend trying a fermented line—it might be a much better fit for your skin.
The picture shows raw materials before and after fermentation. From left to right: Heartleaf Houttuynia, Job’s tears, green tea.
The Skin House manufacturer in Korea
The Skin House manufacturer is very famous for its production of fermented cosmetics. Specifically, they have patented a low-temperature fermentation method where the cosmetics are not heated. As is well known, heating destroys a large portion of vitamins and minerals. When cosmetics are not heated, all the beneficial substances remain, and the products are maximally effective. The Skin House is also famous for producing fermented ginseng root extract. The ginseng plant is grown for exactly 6 years because it has been found that 6-year-old ginseng has the strongest and most beneficial anti-aging effect. The fermented ginseng extract they produce is so valuable and high-quality that many other brands around the world buy it. You can read a bit more about The Skin House brand here.
The Skin House brand has an entire fermented cosmetics line called Wrinkle Away, which consists of a booster essence, emulsion, face cream, and eye cream. This line brings together all the best properties of fermented cosmetics and uses only the highest quality raw materials.
The booster essence is used as the first step after washing your face; it triggers the skin’s recovery processes, stops the skin from drying out, balances the pH level, and prepares the skin for the rest of your skincare routine. The booster replaces both toner and serum. The emulsion is a very light cream that penetrates deeper into the skin and affects the middle layers of the skin. In addition to strong anti-aging properties, the face cream also has a strong protective capacity. The skin around the eyes is much more delicate and thinner, so it is recommended to use a special eye cream around the eyes instead of a regular face cream.
The anti-aging neck cream The Skin House AP II Neck Cream is also fermented. Many women take care of their facial skin but forget to care for the neck and décolleté area, yet the condition of the neck skin often reveals a woman’s age.
We also have Dr. Camucamu Hair Shampoo and Dr. Camucamu Hair Rinse conditioner with Amazonian berries, which also contain fermented raw materials. This shampoo was awarded the title of best hair product by Pastaiga magazine in Latvia this year.
Discount code and testers
You can also try the Wrinkle Away line at the Tallinn Kaubamaja Beauty World and at the Tradehouse Beauty Store in the Nautica center. You can order both testers and full-sized products from our website. We’ll also share a little secret: with the discount code FERMENTEERITUD, a 20% discount applies to all fermented cosmetics on our website (Wrinkle Away line, hair products, and neck cream).
The Mizon brand also has a very good fermented booster essence: http://www.mizon.ee/en/a/mizon-skin-power-original-first-essence-fermented-booster-essence-with-galactomyces-yeast