Spotlight on Fermentation - Part 1

Spotlight on Fermentation - Part 1

Quite simply put - fermented ingredients are amazing for the skin!

Fermentation makes ingredients more bio-available - to be used by the skin in much more effective ways. Fermentation will make these ingredients absorb into your skin at greater capacity - rendering them much more effective for the purpose of the ingredient in the product.

We have many fermented ingredients in our skin care - though our star fermentation combination is our natural preservative blend Leucidal SF (Lactobacillus Ferment) and AMTicide® Coconut (Lactobacillus (and) Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract)

These two ingredients continue to ferment in the product. Like many members of the lactic acid bacteria family, Lactobacillus is capable of restricting the growth of other microorganisms by acidifying its environment. However, Lactobacillus also produces novel antimicrobial peptides known as bacteriocins that are capable of providing effective protection against bacteria.

Leucidal SF is a naturally derived, ferment-based preservative system. It’s made through the fermentation of beneficial bacteria (like Lactobacillus) in a controlled process, which produces antimicrobial peptides and creates an environment that helps discourage the growth of unwanted microbes in water-based formulas. During fermentation, the beneficial bacteria produce antimicrobial peptides (often called bacteriocins), which help inhibit microbial growth and support product preservation.

Because it comes from fermentation, some batches and formulas can have a naturally “fermented” or slightly sour scent. In certain formulas that scent can be more noticeable over time.

Since it’s ferment-derived, it can naturally carry a mild fermentation-type aroma in some formulas. A stronger smell can sometimes simply be the natural scent profile of the ferment system interacting with other ingredients

AMTicide® Coconut acts as an anti-fungal. During the fermentation process, lipopeptides are metabolized by the MCT’s present in coconut flesh creating an antimicrobial peptide. AMTicide® Coconut is a ferment-derived preservative booster made by fermenting coconut fruit with Lactobacillus. It’s primarily used to help protect formulas from yeast and mold, and it’s often paired with a broader preservative system for more complete coverage. Because it’s fermentation-based, it can naturally contribute a mild “fermented” or tangy scent in some formulas (and that scent can be more noticeable to certain people).

We also use Sea Kelp Bioferment, Oat Fermentation, Black Garlic Ferment, and various vinegars like Red Wine, Coconut and Brown Rice!

Green Tea is also an ingredient that will naturally ferment in products. This can often contribute to color change in products if there is a high enough concentration of Green Tea in the product! We often get questions about this. This is very normal!

Tune in next week for Part 2 as we elaborate on more ways that fermentation is amazing for skin!

We will also discuss in Part 3 how fermentation can effect color AND smell in products!

Thank you so much for reading!