Fermented foods and active ingredients are recognized for their many virtues, and are said to boost our microbiota and preserve our beauty in an unrivalled way. But how is this possible? And what exactly are the benefits? We tell you all about it.

What is fermentation?

The fermented food, plant or active ingredient is in fact a "living" product which undergoes transformation under the action of micro-organisms such as yeast, or beneficial bacteria such as lactobacilli. The carbohydrates (or sugars) contained in the food or active ingredients are then transformed into lactic acids. Fermentation sometimes occurs naturally, but is often man-made. This is the process that produces kefir, sourdough or rennet (a popular ingredient in many cheeses). During fermentation, the aforementioned active ingredient becomes increasingly acidic, preventing it from rotting and producing undesirable bacteria such as fungi. Once perfect acidity has been reached, the cheese is ready to be stored for weeks or even months. In addition to its long shelf life, fermentation produces substances that are beneficial to our organism - the famous probiotics. These micro-organisms, responsible for fermentation, boost the immune system by destroying the bad bacteria that can cause disease. In the case of fermented foods, they facilitate digestion; in the case of cosmetics with fermented active ingredients, they enable the skin to better assimilate their benefits!

What are the benefits of fermentation for the intestinal flora?

Fermentation improves digestion, reduces the presence of lactose (in fermented milks and cheeses), which is often irritating to the intestine, destroys harmful substances (pesticides present on fruit and vegetables), helps the proliferation of probiotics (good bacteria), and multiplies the vitamin content of certain foods... It is also said to act on neurological disorders and prevent diseases such as Alzheimer's and depression.

Good to know: Asian cuisine is full of recipes based on fermented foods! This is particularly true of the famous Japanese "miso soup," in which miso is actually a fermented soybean paste.

What are the most common fermented foods?

• Sauerkraut (originally, sauerkraut is cabbage fermented in salt and water!)
• Pickles (gherkins, lemons, onions, turnips, beet, carrots or radishes, easily found already fermented in supermarkets)
• Sourdough bread.
• Fermented dairy products (milk, cheese, yoghurt, 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 means poor hygiene... No way! A rich bacterial flora is the guarantee of good health. Over 1,000 billion bacteria live on our skin barrier. These bacteria form an eco-system that is essential to the proper functioning of the skin. In other words, a strong immune system and fast, effective healing. This natural barrier guards against dangers and prevents bad fungi from developing. Without these life-saving bacteria, it's a case of irritation, pimples of all kinds, psoriasis, eczema and other unwanted skin complications. What a misfortune if our skin flora were to become unbalanced! That's why fermented cosmetics are so important. By stimulating the skin's defenses, they purify problem skin.

What are the beauty benefits of fermentation?

Cosmetic fermentation is quite revolutionary. It allows us to replace the most dubious and harmful active ingredients in our usual cosmetics with totally natural plant-based ingredients! It would appear that a treatment based on fermented active ingredients (rice, milk, fruit, plants) is ten times more effective than a conventional treatment. A veritable beauty cocktail, cosmetic fermentation makes the amino acids, fatty acids and vitamins contained in active skincare ingredients easily assimilated by the skin.

Cosmetic fermentation for top skin microbiota

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

Focus on lactic acid: Considered a miracle ingredient, lactic acid appears during cosmetic fermentation. A natural exfoliant, it's highly valued for its ability to boost cell renewal and maintain the proper pH balance on the skin's surface. Consider the natural kumbucha peel, which is extremely effective, but shouldn't be overused!

Did you know? Fermentation also produces natural solvents. This process is used in the production of completely organic and natural perfumes!

A few tips on how to make the most of your beauty routine?

Even if fermented cosmetics 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, balanced diet to ensure that our intestinal flora is at its best. Naturally, we include fermented foods in our diet and avoid processed foods and additives such as sugar and caffeine as much as possible. When it comes to cosmetics, we think first and foremost about our needs, depending on our skin type (oily, combination, dry, mature, sensitive), season (winter, summer, autumn or spring, needs differ) and lifestyle (pollution, stress, sun...). Beware of excessive hygiene! Nothing is worse for fragile skin than being abused by excessive hygiene. We opt for organic and natural soaps rather than shower gels which damage the skin's flora, we avoid taking three showers in a day (if necessary, then avoid soap each time), we prefer alcohol-free products (especially for deodorants) and we constantly moisturize our skin to nourish it and allow the active ingredients in our skincare products to penetrate better.

Why say yes to fermented cosmetics?