They are recognized for their multiple virtues, fermented foods or active ingredients are said to incredibly boost our microbiota and preserve our beauty in an unparalleled way. How is this possible? What are the exact benefits? We tell you everything.

What is fermentation?

The fermented food, plant or active ingredient is in fact a so-called "living" product that will undergo a transformation under the action of microorganisms such as yeasts, or beneficial bacteria such as lactobacilli. The carbohydrates (or sugars) contained in the food or active ingredients will then transform into lactic acids. Sometimes fermentation occurs naturally, but it is often produced by man. This process is what produces kefir, sourdough or even rennet (an ingredient popular in the composition of several cheeses). During fermentation, the active ingredient becomes more and more acidic, which prevents it from rotting and producing unwanted bacteria such as fungi. Once the perfect acidity is reached, it is ready to be stored for weeks or even months. In addition to its long conservation, fermentation produces substances that are beneficial for our body, these are the famous probiotics. These microorganisms responsible for fermentation boost the immune system by destroying bad bacteria that can cause diseases. For fermented foods They facilitate digestion, for cosmetics with fermented active ingredients they allow the skin to better assimilate their benefits!

What are the benefits of fermentation for intestinal flora?

Fermentation improves digestion, it reduces the presence of lactose (in fermented milk and cheese) which is often irritating to the intestine, it destroys harmful substances (pesticides present on fruits and vegetables), helps the proliferation of probiotics (good bacteria), multiplies the vitamin content of certain foods... It is said that it also acts on neurological disorders and prevents diseases such as Alzheimer's or even depression.

Good to know: Asian cuisine is full of recipes based on fermented foods! This is particularly the case for the famous Japanese “miso soup”, whose miso is actually a fermented soybean paste.

What are the most common fermented foods?

• Sauerkraut (originally sauerkraut refers to cabbage that has fermented in salt and water!)
• Pickles (gherkins, lemons, onions, turnips, beets, carrots or even radishes which can easily be found already fermented in supermarkets)
• Sourdough bread.
• Fermented dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurts, lactose-free).
• Fruit kefir (obtained by fermenting fruit with sugar in water).

What about skin flora?

Healthy skin is beautiful skin. Just as our intestinal flora loves fermented foods, our skin flora loves cosmetic fermentation. On the contrary, we think that the presence of bacteria includes poor hygiene... Not at all! A rich bacterial flora is the assurance of good health. More than 1000 billion bacteria live on our skin barrier. These bacteria form an ecosystem essential to the proper functioning of the skin. Namely, a top-notch immune system, effective and rapid healing. This natural barrier prevents all dangers and prevents bad fungi from developing. Without these saving bacteria, it's a feast for irritations, pimples of all kinds, psoriasis, eczema and other skin complications that we don't want. What a shame if our skin flora were to become unbalanced! This is why fermented cosmetic treatments are important. By stimulating the skin's defenses, they purify problem skin.

What are the benefits of fermentation for our beauty?

Cosmetic fermentation is quite revolutionary. It allows us to replace the most questionable and harmful active ingredients in our usual cosmetic treatments with completely natural plants!  It seems that a treatment based on fermented active ingredients (rice, milk, fruits, plants) would be ten times more effective than a classic treatment. A true beauty cocktail, cosmetic fermentation makes the amino acids, fatty acids and vitamins contained in the active ingredients of the treatments very assimilable for the skin.

Cosmetic fermentation for a top skin microbiota

Even better, routines based on fermented active ingredients will help maintain the skin microbiota. What is it? The skin microbiota is simply the entire skin flora. To preserve it as best as possible, fermented cosmetics prevent the microbiota from degrading. Thanks to lactobacilli (bacteria that rebalance the surface of the skin), natural defenses are boosted, hydration is preserved and, above all, imperfections are completely rejected. A healthy, natural and effective routine. What more could you ask for?

Focus on lactic acid: considered a miracle component, lactic acid appears during cosmetic fermentation. A natural exfoliant, it is highly valued for its ability to boost cell renewal and maintain the correct pH balance on the surface of the skin. We are thinking of the extremely effective natural Kumbucha peel, but it should not be overused!

Did you know? Fermentation also allows us to obtain natural solvents. This process is found in the manufacture of totally organic and natural perfumes!

Some tips to get the most out of your beauty routine?

Even if fermented cosmetic treatments are considered miracles for our beauty, we still need a quality lifestyle to get the most out of them. We therefore rely on a healthy and balanced diet for a top intestinal flora. Obviously, we include fermented foods in our consumption and avoid processed dishes and additives such as sugar and caffeine as much as possible. As for cosmetics, we think of our needs first and foremost, according to the type of skin (oily, combination, dry, mature, sensitive) according to the season (winter, summer, autumn or spring, needs differ) but also according to our lifestyle (pollution, stress, sun, etc.). Be careful not to overdo it... with hygiene! Nothing is worse for fragile skin than being mistreated by excessive hygiene. We rely on organic and natural soaps rather than shower gels which will attack the skin flora, we avoid taking three showers in a day (if necessary, then we avoid soap each time), we favor alcohol-free products (especially for deodorants) and we constantly moisturize our skin to nourish it and allow the active ingredients in the treatments to penetrate it better.

Why say yes to fermented cosmetics?