From Fermented to Functional: The Rise of Bioferments in Skincare

Bioferments are ingredients created through controlled fermentation, where selected microorganisms break down natural raw materials (e.g. rice or soy) into biologically active components. Although fermentation has long been used in food and medicine, its growing role in skincare reflects increasing demand for ingredients that are both effective and skin-compatible.

As bioferments become more common, they are often grouped under a single label despite wide differences in production and skin behaviour, and the effects of fermentation are not always clearly defined.

What we know

• Many bioferments act as postbiotic or prebiotic-like systems, supplying microbial metabolites that may support keratinocyte immunity and favour beneficial skin microbes 1.

• Fermentation can help enhance formulations’ ability to retain moisture, improving skin hydration and barrier support compared with non-fermented ingredients 2.

• In vitro and limited clinical studies suggest certain ferments can improve barrier metrics (e.g. hydration) and antioxidant capacity 3.

• Some bioferments show antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity in models, including reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibition of skin-relevant bacteria 4.

Industry impact and potential

Bioferments open up a rich area of exploration for skincare, offering both opportunity and challenge:

• Functional complexity: Single ingredients can deliver multiple bioactive components.

• Enhanced tolerability: Many bioferments are associated with good tolerability, making them appealing for sensitive or compromised skin.

• Mechanistic uncertainty: Many cosmetic ferments remain only partially characterised, creating opportunities to better understand how composition links to skin outcomes.

• Evidence gaps: More research is needed to understand how bioferments influence the microbiome and skin barrier over time.

Our position 

At Sequential, we help brands move from “fermented” as a label to fermentation with purpose. Using microbiome profiling, metabolomics, molecular and multi-omic analysis alongside in-vivo testing, we characterise what bioferments actually contain and how they interact with skin biology over time. By linking composition to function, we provide mechanistic clarity, helping brands identify when fermentation genuinely improves performance, optimise formulations, and make defensible, evidence-led claims grounded in biology rather than buzzwords.

References

1. Yang, F. et al. (2025). Biologically active components and skincare benefits of rice fermentation products. Cosmetics, 12, 1–29

2. Majchrzak, W. et al. (2022). Biological and cosmetic importance of fermented raw materials. Molecules, 27, 4845.

3. Cui, H. et al. (2023). Probiotic ferment lysate lotion improves skin barrier function. Sci Rep, 13, 43336.

4. Nizioł-Łukaszewska, Z. et al. (2025). Apiaceae bioferments as sources of active skincare compounds. Molecules, 30, 983.