A gentle, fermented exfoliant that brightens skin without harsh scrubbing or strong acids.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
Beauty ingredient research
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
A gentle, fermented exfoliant that brightens skin without harsh scrubbing or strong acids.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, fermented ingredient that helps hydrate and support a balanced skin microbiome without irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle probiotic ferment that helps exfoliate dead skin cells and support a balanced skin barrier without harsh acids.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, antioxidant-rich ferment that may help soothe and protect skin, though human studies are still limited.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle fermented exfoliant that helps smooth skin texture and brighten without harsh acids.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle fermented rice ingredient that helps soften and smooth skin without harsh chemicals.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A fermented botanical extract that may help balance skin bacteria and provide antioxidant benefits, though research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, fermented algae ingredient that may help calm irritation and support skin's natural defenses, though research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
Soothing Agent
LACTOBACILLUS/GERMINATED SOYBEAN FERMENT FILTRATE
A gentle fermented ingredient that helps calm and hydrate skin, ideal for sensitive or reactive types.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle probiotic ferment that exfoliates and soothes skin without the harshness of traditional acids.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle fermented ingredient that may help calm skin and provide antioxidant benefits, though research is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, fermented watermelon extract that provides mild exfoliation and hydration, ideal for sensitive skin.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle probiotic ferment that may help strengthen the skin barrier and calm irritation, but research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle probiotic ferment that brightens skin and supports a healthy barrier without harsh irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, fermented ingredient that may help balance skin’s microbiome and deliver antioxidant protection, though research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, fermented algae extract that helps calm and hydrate skin while supporting a healthy skin barrier.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle fermented ingredient that may help soothe and protect skin, though research is still limited compared to more established actives.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, fermented ingredient that may support skin hydration and a balanced microbiome, though research is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
Skin conditioning agent
LACTOBACILLUS/HORSE FAT FERMENT FILTRATE
A novel fermented ingredient that may help moisturize and condition skin, but research is limited and it may be comedogenic for some.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
Antioxidant
LACTOBACILLUS/MANGOSTEEN PERICARP FERMENT FILTRATE
A gentle, probiotic-derived antioxidant that may help calm skin and fight environmental stress, but research is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A fermented blend that combines the nourishing benefits of milk and soybean oil with probiotic byproducts, offering gentle skin conditioning and moisture support.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle probiotic ferment that may help hydrate and support a healthy skin microbiome, but research is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, microbiome-friendly ferment that hydrates and soothes without irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, probiotic-derived ingredient that helps calm and protect skin with antioxidant properties.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
Soothing Agent
LACTOBACILLUS/PHORMIUM TENAX FERMENT FILTRATE
A gentle fermented ingredient that helps calm skin and support hydration, ideal for sensitive or reactive skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
Antioxidant
LACTOBACILLUS/PRUNUS MUME FLOWER EXTRACT FERMENT FILTRATE
A gentle fermented botanical extract that may help soothe and protect the skin, though research is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, biotech-derived ferment that helps hydrate and calm the skin while supporting a healthy barrier.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle fermented pumpkin extract that lightly exfoliates and hydrates, ideal for sensitive skin looking for mild renewal.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle fermented ingredient that offers mild exfoliation and skin conditioning, ideal for sensitive skin looking for a softer alternative to stronger acids.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
Skin conditioning
LACTOBACILLUS/SCHIZOSACCHAROMYCES FERMENT FILTRATE
A gentle, probiotic-derived ferment that helps strengthen the skin barrier and support a healthy microbiome without irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
Skin conditioning agent
LACTOBACILLUS/SORBUS COMMIXTA BRANCH FERMENT FILTRATE
A gentle, fermented botanical ingredient that may help soothe and protect the skin, though research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A fermented algae ingredient that offers antioxidant protection and soothing benefits, generally safe for most skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A fermented turmeric extract that offers antioxidant protection and soothing benefits with potentially better skin absorption than plain turmeric.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, hydrating exfoliant that smooths skin without the sting of stronger acids.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, probiotic-derived ingredient that helps calm irritation and supports a healthy skin microbiome.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, probiotic-derived exfoliant that helps smooth skin texture and support a healthy skin barrier without harsh acids.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, probiotic-based ingredient that may help calm irritation and support a healthy skin barrier, but research is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
A gentle, probiotic-derived ingredient that may help soothe skin and support a healthy skin barrier.
Irritation
low
Source
biotech
Lactoferricin is a milk-derived peptide that may help calm skin and reduce unwanted bacteria, but research is still early.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Lactoferrin is a gentle, milk-derived protein that helps calm skin and fight environmental stress without irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Lactoflavin (vitamin B2) is a gentle antioxidant that helps protect skin from environmental stress and supports a healthy complexion.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle milk protein that helps hydrate and temporarily smooth the skin, but may not suit those with dairy sensitivities.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Lactoperoxidase is a gentle, milk-derived enzyme used as a natural preservative to help keep skincare products fresh without harsh chemicals.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Lactoscatone is a synthetic scent ingredient that adds a creamy note to products, but it has limited published safety data and is primarily used for fragrance.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Lactose is a gentle milk-derived sugar that hydrates and lightly exfoliates, making it a good option for sensitive or dry skin.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A silicone-modified elastin derivative that may temporarily improve skin firmness and hydration, but long-term anti-aging benefits are not well proven.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, skin-identical lipid that strengthens the moisture barrier and calms irritation without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Lactulose is a gentle sugar-derived humectant that also acts as a prebiotic, helping to support a balanced skin microbiome without irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle plant extract that may help calm skin and defend against environmental stress, though research is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research on its specific benefits is limited.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant and soothing potential, but research on its cosmetic benefits is still emerging.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle botanical extract that may help tighten pores and calm skin, but most benefits come from traditional use rather than strong clinical studies.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Laevo-Carvyl Acetate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that provides a fresh, minty scent, but offers no direct skincare benefits and may be a concern for those with fragrance sensitivities.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Laevo-rose oxide adds a delicate rose scent to products and may offer mild antioxidant benefits, but its main role is fragrance.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research on topical skin benefits is still limited.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A novel marine-derived extract that may help hydrate and condition skin, but research is limited and it's not a proven powerhouse.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, mineral-rich seaweed extract that helps hydrate and calm the skin without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, natural exfoliant from brown seaweed that also delivers minerals and hydration to the skin.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A nutrient-rich seaweed extract that hydrates, soothes, and protects the skin with antioxidants, ideal for dry or sensitive skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle seaweed powder that helps hydrate and calm the skin while providing antioxidant protection.
Irritation
low
Source
natural