Kombucha and Fermented Skincare Benefits

If you’ve noticed a correlation between trending foods and skincare products, you’re an astute observer. Coconut Oil is a prime example of this, as are Avocado, Matcha and Turmeric. Kombucha, and fermented ingredients in general, are making their way into beauty, and bareMinerals is proud to embrace this trend with our new and much-buzzed-about DEW MIST Setting Spray. Today we’re outlining the ways in which fermented ingredients — and Kombucha, specifically — can benefit your skin, and which skin types ought to use it.

The Lowdown on Fermented Ingredients

When an ingredient is fermented, it simply means that bacteria, yeast, and/or microbes have been added in order to alter the chemical structure. This process usually requires a period of sitting and aging, and the flavor and texture changes dramatically over that time.

Though we typically associate fermented foods with a distinct sour taste — such as sauerkraut and kimchi — there are lots of fermented items that don’t have this tangy quality. Beer and wine are prime examples, and others include cheese, bread, yogurt, miso, and even chocolate.

Why Fermented Ingredients Are Good for Your Skin

In the early days, fermenting was a way to help preserve foods for longer. Today, fermentation serves the same purpose, but we’ve also learned that it has other health benefits. When ingested, fermented ingredients can help regulate and improve our digestive process. Fermented ingredients have also been linked to bolstering cognitive function, boosting our immunity and generally improving our overall health.

That long list of benefits extends when fermented ingredients, such as Kombucha, are applied topically via a well-formulated skincare product. “Fermented ingredients containing probiotics can help to improve inflammatory skin conditions and reduce premature signs of aging,” explains Inna Knyazenvch, the lead esthetician and co-owner of New York City’s In-Glo Med Spa. “Recent scientific studies in Japan and Korea showed that lactobacillus, [which is always found in Kombucha], helped improve common skin concerns like wrinkles and dryness as well as acne lesions.”

In addition to helping with signs of aging, fermented ingredients such as Kombucha can also bolster our barrier function and overall skin health. Inna explains that our skin’s delicate microbiome is pretty sensitive and therefore easily disrupted by things like over-cleansing or scrubbing, exposure to the elements, antibiotics, and certain medications and cosmetics. She says, “Adding probiotics to our skincare regimen will help to [create] a healthier skin microbiome and boost its immunity to fight environmental toxins and bacteria.”

When the skin’s microbiome is well-balanced that makes for a healthy, vibrant, and luminous complexion. Kombucha balances the microbiome well, says Inna. She also notes that because Kombucha is particularly gentle and has a pH of 3, it’s an excellent option for those with dry or sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, and rosacea.

Try Kombucha Skincare for Yourself

If you’re curious to see how a fermented ingredient, such as Kombucha, might impact your own skin, we just launched a multi-purpose spray that gives skin a serious glow boost via Kombucha ferment. DEW MIST Setting Spray creates a glowing complexion and helps lock makeup in place all day long. You can even use it mid-day for a dewy refresh on a hot summer day. “Although, we don’t always associate bacteria with beauty, the latest trend of fermented ingredients [in skincare] is here to stay,” says Inna. “It’s proven its ability to promote a healthy and youthful complexion.”

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