3.8
A promising probiotic ingredient that may help balance skin bacteria and strengthen the skin barrier, but research is still early and benefits vary by person.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
beautyskincaremicrobiome
Read ingredient reviewBeauty ingredient research
Beauty ingredients explained in plain English
Browse the review database to understand what an ingredient is, what it does in a beauty formula, when it is useful, and when it deserves caution across skincare, haircare, bodycare, makeup, and more.
20769
Reviewed ingredients
524
Low-concern standouts
2884
Need usage caution
Showing 24 of 24
AllUV absorberUV filterabrasiveabsorbentacne treatmentactiveactive ingredientadhesivealkalizing agentamino acidanti-aginganti-androgenanti-cavityanti-cavity agentanti-inflammatoryanti-irritantanticariesanticavity agentantidandruffantifungalantimicrobialantioxidantantiperspirantantiplaqueastringentbarrier repairbarrier supportbarrier-repairbarrier-supportbinderbinding agentbiotechbiotechnologybond-builderbotanicalbotanical extractbotanical oilbotanical waterbrighteningbrightening agentbufferbuffering agentcell-communicating ingredientceramidechelating agentchemicalchemical intermediateclaycleansercleansingcleansing agentcolorantconditionerconditioningconditioning agentcooling agentcosmeticcosmetic additivecosmetic colorantcosmetic ingredientcosmetic pigmentcosmetic powdercosmetic-texturizercosmetic-waxcosmeticscrosslinking agentdelivery agentdelivery systemdenaturantdeodorantdeodorant agentdepigmenting agentdepilatorydepilatory agentdesensitizing agentdyedye intermediatedye precursordye-intermediateemollientemulsifierenzymeessential oilexfoliantexperimentaleyelashfermentfilm formerfilm-formerfilm-formingfilm-forming agentfirming agentfixativeflavoring agentformulationfragrancefragrance ingredientfunctional ingredientgashair carehair colorhair coloranthair conditionerhair dyehair removalhair-carehair-colorhaircarehumectantindustrialinsecticideintermediatelashlash carelash enhancerlash-and-browlip carelipidmakeupmarine extractmasking agentmicrobiomemicrobiome modulatormineralmoisturizernail carenail-careocclusiveoilopacifieropacifying agentoptical agentoral careotheroxidative dyeoxidative dye precursoroxidizing agentpH adjusterpain reliefpenetration enhancerpeptidepersonal careph adjusterpharmaceuticalpheromonepigmentplant oilplasticizerpolymerpolymer precursorprebioticprescription-drugpreservativepreservative boosterprobioticprocessing agentprocessing aidpropellantproteinpurifyingreducing agentretinoidscalp caresebum regulatorsebum-regulatorself-tannerself-tanningsensory additivesensory agentsensory modifiersiliconeskin barrierskin barrier supportskin conditionerskin conditioningskin conditioning agentskin lighteningskin protectantskin-conditioningskin-conditioning agentskin-identicalskin-identical ingredientskin-lighteningskin-lightening agentskincaresolventsoothingsoothing agentstabilizerstimulantsunscreensurfactantsyntheticsynthetic colorantsynthetic dyesynthetic resinsynthetic-coloranttexture enhancertexturizerthickenertoneruv-absorberuv-filtervasoactivevasodilatorviscosity controlviscosity controllingviscosity controlling agentvitaminwax
3.8
A gentle, microbiome-friendly ingredient that may help calm irritation and strengthen the skin barrier, though research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
beautyskincaremicrobiome
Read ingredient review4.0
A probiotic ingredient that may help calm irritation and reinforce the skin barrier by supporting beneficial bacteria on the skin.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
beautyskincaremicrobiome
Read ingredient review3.5
A probiotic ingredient that may help balance skin bacteria, but research is still early and it's not a proven active for most skin concerns.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
beautyskincaremicrobiome
Read ingredient review3.5
A probiotic ingredient that may help balance skin bacteria, but research is still early and not all strains are proven safe for topical use.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
beautyskincaremicrobiome
Read ingredient reviewMicrobiome Modulator
Epidermidibacterium Keratini Ferment Filtrate
EPIDERMIDIBACTERIUM KERATINI FERMENT FILTRATE
4.0
A promising microbiome-friendly ingredient that may help strengthen the skin barrier and calm sensitivity, though research is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
beautyskincaremicrobiome
Read ingredient review4.0
A gentle, fermented coconut extract that helps hydrate and support a balanced skin microbiome — great for sensitive or microbiome-conscious routines.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
beautyskincarehumectantmicrobiome
Read ingredient reviewSkin conditioning agent
Fermented Probiotic Complex
LACTOBACILLUS/STREPTOCOCCUS THERMOPHILUS/BIFIDA/YELLOW OCHER FERMENT LYSATE EXTRACT
4.0
A gentle, fermented probiotic complex that may help strengthen the skin barrier and support a balanced microbiome, though individual results vary.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
beautyskincaremicrobiome
Read ingredient review3.8
A gentle, microbiome-friendly ingredient from bacterial fermentation that may help balance skin and reduce sensitivity over time.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
beautyskincaremicrobiome
Read ingredient review4.0
A gentle, fermented ingredient that may help support a healthy skin microbiome and soothe irritation, but research is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
beautyskincaremicrobiome
Read ingredient reviewSkin conditioning agent
Lactobacillus Ferment Mineral Complex
LACTOBACILLUS/LAC/CALCIUM/PHOSPHORUS/MAGNESIUM/ZINC FERMENT
3.8
A gentle probiotic-mineral blend that may support a healthy skin microbiome, but research is still early and benefits are not guaranteed for everyone.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
beautyskincaremicrobiome
Read ingredient review4.0
A gentle, fermented ingredient that may help balance your skin's microbiome and strengthen its natural defenses.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
beautyskincaremicrobiome
Read ingredient reviewSkin conditioning agent
Multi-Ferment Bioactive Complex
LACTOBACILLUS/SACCHAROMYCES/RHODOPSEUDOMONAS/MOLASSES/CALCIUM CARBONATE/YEAST EXTRACT FERMENT FILTRATE
4.0
A gentle, fermented ingredient complex that feeds good bacteria on your skin and helps strengthen the moisture barrier.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
beautyskincaremicrobiome
Read ingredient reviewSkin conditioning agent
Multi-Probiotic Soy Ferment
BIFIDA/ENTEROCOCCUS FAECIUM/LACTOBACILLUS/STREPTOCOCCUS THERMOPHILUS/SOYMILK FERMENT EXTRACT
4.0
A gentle fermented ingredient that may help balance skin bacteria and strengthen the barrier, but research is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
beautyskincaremicrobiome
Read ingredient reviewSkin conditioning
Multi-Strain Lactic Ferment
KLUYVEROMYCES/LACTOBACILLUS/LACTOCOCCUS/LEUCONOSTOC/SACCHAROMYCES LAC FERMENT
4.0
A gentle, multi-strain ferment that helps balance the skin’s microbiome and improve barrier function without irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
beautyskincaremicrobiome
Read ingredient review3.8
A probiotic bacteria ferment that may support a balanced skin microbiome, but research is still early and product-specific results vary.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
beautyskincaremicrobiome
Read ingredient review4.0
A gentle, microbiome-friendly ingredient that may help calm sensitive skin and strengthen the skin barrier, though research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
beautyskincaremicrobiome
Read ingredient review4.0
A gentle, probiotic ingredient that helps support your skin's natural microbiome and improve barrier function.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
beautyskincaremicrobiome
Read ingredient review4.0
A gentle, biotech-derived ferment that may help strengthen the skin barrier and support a healthy microbiome without irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
beautyskincaremicrobiome
Read ingredient review4.0
A gentle, probiotic-derived ingredient that may help balance the skin microbiome and strengthen the skin barrier.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
beautyskincaremicrobiome
Read ingredient review3.8
A promising probiotic ingredient that may help balance skin bacteria and strengthen the skin barrier, but research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
beautyskincaremicrobiome
Read ingredient review4.0
A probiotic ingredient that may help balance the skin's microbiome and strengthen the skin barrier, but research is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
beautyskincaremicrobiome
Read ingredient reviewSkin conditioning
Streptococcus Salivarius Milk Ferment
STREPTOCOCCUS SALIVARIUS/HYDROLYZED NONFAT DRY MILK FERMENT
3.8
A probiotic ferment that may help balance the skin microbiome and strengthen the skin barrier, though research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
beautyskincaremicrobiome
Read ingredient review3.8
A gentle yeast ferment that may help balance the skin microbiome and strengthen the skin barrier, though research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
beautyskincaremicrobiome
Read ingredient review