Postbiotics in skin care: what formulators need to know
Probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics are often mentioned in the same breath, but they are different things. For formulators, postbiotics are the most practical of the three.
Probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics
- Probiotics are living microorganisms. Keeping them alive in a cosmetic product is difficult, and preservatives work against them.
- Prebiotics are nutrients, often sugars, that feed beneficial microorganisms.
- Postbiotics are the beneficial, non-living components that microorganisms produce during fermentation: metabolites, cell wall fragments and enzymes.
Why postbiotics are interesting
Because postbiotics are not alive, they are stable and easy to formulate. The small molecules are easily absorbed and can communicate with the epidermis. Research suggests that postbiotics act as signalling molecules that help modulate the skin’s energy response and support healthy regeneration. Many ingredients target a single concern, while postbiotics can stimulate several epidermal pathways at once.
BioMic™ Fermentate
BioMic™ Fermentate is a postbiotic obtained by fermentation and lysis of a selected strain of Saccharomyces boulardii, a probiotic yeast known for its rich metabolome of organic acids, amino acids, phenolic acids, nucleosides and vitamins. BioMic™ Fermentate:
- modulates the skin’s energy metabolism
- stimulates elastin production in the epidermis
- has antioxidant and antiradical properties
- supports the regeneration of epidermal tissue
Formulation tips
BioMic™ Fermentate is water soluble and is used at 2 to 5%. Add it below 40°C in the cool-down phase. It fits anti-ageing face care, repairing hand creams and elasticising body care. It is COSMOS approved, vegan and halal suitable.
Want to evaluate BioMic™ Fermentate in your own formulation? Visit the BioMic™ Fermentate ingredient page, request a sample kit or contact our technical team.
