Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably experienced the wonderful world of fermented foods (oh hey there, kombucha, kimchi and kefir!).
And it’s not just flower children singing the praises of these gut-friendly goodies anymore. Now everyone and their nan is aboard the “happy gut flora” express.
But hold on to your pickles, folks, because this ancient method of food preservation isn’t just a treat for your tummy (and taste buds)… it’s a bonus for your skin, too!
What *is* fermentation?
Before you reach for that extra serving of sauerkraut, let’s back up a bit.
Did you know that your skin is home to trillions of living bacteria? These little guys, known as your skin’s microbiome, are vital to maintaining healthy skin. In fact, an unbalanced skin microbiome, also known as dysbiosis, has been linked to conditions like acne and eczema.
To combat this, there is a growing interest in the use of probiotics in skin care, which are produced through the fermentation process.
Fermentation, which dates back to Neolithic times (about 12,000 years ago), is basically the metabolic process of converting sugars into acids, gases, or alcohols using yeasts and/or bacteria. It’s commonly used to make popular foods and drinks, but when it comes to skin care, fermentation has a lot of potential.
In fact, in the 1970s, scientists noticed that brewers in Akita, Japan had wrinkled faces that showed signs of aging, but their hands, which were constantly immersed in the brewery, remained youthful. The secret? The fermented concoctions soaked their hands!
How fermentation works
During the fermentation process, natural skin care ingredients are transformed into a powerful blend of acids, vitamins and antioxidants that boost their potency beyond their unfermented state.
These become fertile ground for probiotics (good bacteria), which act like tiny warriors defending your skin.
A study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science in 2020 found that topical application of probiotics can actively support and replenish your skin’s natural barrier, helping it maintain balanced pH levels, fight free radicals and boost radiance of.
But there’s no point in having incredible treatment if your skin doesn’t absorb it properly, right?
This is where fermentation becomes a complete game changer. By breaking down the molecules into smaller compounds, they are more easily absorbed into your skin and can penetrate your skin barrier much more easily.
You see, our skin acts like a sieve, filtering out larger molecules, but fermentation allows substances with a molecular weight under 500 daltons to be absorbed.
This not only prevents residue from building up on the skin’s surface, which can lead to breakouts, but also allows the ingredients to work more effectively.
Many fermented ingredients are also known to promote the growth of healthy bacteria on the skin while eliminating bad bacteria.
Our favorite fermented ingredients for skin care
Guess what?
We’ve had fermented and probiotic ingredients in our Woohoo products since 2010—long before matcha lattes were even a twinkle in your barista’s eye (yes, we were pioneers!).
By fermenting some of the key ingredients in our products, we are able to enhance the potency of their active ingredients.
And that’s not all – fermented formulas are the perfect choice for people with sensitive or dry skin. They work in harmony with your skin, imitating its natural functions and supporting it without harsh disturbances. So you can enjoy glowing, glowing skin without worrying about irritation. Ask!
Our fantastic fermented team includes Noni Fruit, Papaya Extract, Yeast Extract and lactobacillus, which offer a wealth of benefits for all skin types, thanks to their prebiotic and probiotic properties.
(Don’t know the difference between prebiotics and probiotics? Probiotics contain the good bacteria, while prebiotics provide the food for the good bacteria to grow).
These superstars are packed with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, making them a major win-win.
Let’s take a look at their skin-tasting benefits, shall we?
Papaya extract
Ah, good papaya. We’ve been slathering this tropical delicacy on our lips for years thanks to its healing power. When papaya travels to Fermentation Town, it’s transformed into a gentle enzymatic exfoliator, all thanks to an abundance of papain — a natural enzyme that helps break down dead skin cells and unclog pores. Papain is full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help brighten your skin, fade dark spots, and even out your skin tone.
Noni Fruit
Noni fruit has won a lot of praise in the industry and it’s easy to see why. This little treasure trove of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants works its magic to revitalize and nourish your skin, leaving it refreshed and rejuvenated. The antioxidants in Noni fruit also help protect your skin from pesky free radicals. But wait, there’s more! Fermented noni fruit also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, making it a superstar for calming redness, soothing irritation, and keeping blemishes and oily, acne-prone skin under control. Well done!
Yeast extract
Sure, yeast is famous for its bread and beers, but when it comes to skin care, this tiny wonder is truly a game changer. Yeast extract is packed with skin-loving nutrients such as amino acids, peptides and essential vitamins B and C. Bioactive compounds help strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, promote skin cell renewal, gently exfoliate and encourage growth of fresh, glowing cells. How cool is that?
Join the Fermented Fiesta
Are you ready to try these powerful ingredients? Look no further than these wonderful Woohoo creations:
If your skin is showing visible signs of dryness and needs a boost of hydration…
– THE Sweet Dreams Ultra Rich Beauty Cream comes packed with Isomeric Saccharide – a prebiotic created from a skin-identical complex carbohydrate that not only balances your skin’s microbiome, but also delivers intense hydration to relieve flaking, dryness and curb itchiness. In addition, it strengthens your skin’s natural defenses.
Extra Rich Beauty Cream ‘Sweet Dreams’
$54.95
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If you’re dealing with acne-prone and oily skin, you might want to turn to…
– Serum FG 02, which is packed with Fermented Noni—an excellent guardian and balancer of the skin’s microflora that reduces sebum (oil) production and visibly minimizes pores. Noni helps boost your skin’s health and detoxification, allowing it to bounce back from blemishes like a hero.
‘FG’ Serum 02 – Clear (spots + acne)
$64.95
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If you want a dose of softness, brightness and a good collagen boost…
– Perfectly Happy Light Vitamin C Cream harnesses the powers of Fermented Papaya to revitalize and refresh your skin. It offers a gentle exfoliating action thanks to the papain enzyme and penetrates deep into your skin to hydrate, protect and repair while helping skin recover from the aging effects of oxidative stress.
“Perfectly Happy” Light Vitamin C Cream
$34.95
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For those who prefer their skin to look cool, calm and collected after shaving…
The Game Changer Aftershave features a triple dose of good bacteria (both pro- and probiotics) with alpha-glucan oligosaccharide, Polymnia Sonchifolia root juice and Lactobacillus. This super ingredient helps strengthen your skin’s natural barrier and maintains a well-balanced skin microbiome.
Aftershave ‘Game Changer’ 100 ml
$27.95
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So if you’re looking for a strong and healthy skin barrier, fermented skincare may hold the key.
Let’s toast it – with a glass of kombucha, of course! 🥂
