The fermented essence your skin has been waiting for

by Carolina Malis 

I still remember the day I heard the word “fermented” being used in the same sentence as skincare. At first I thought something fermented couldn’t be good for your skin. Fermented usually goes with decomposed, or alcohol, not with flawless complexion… oh how wrong I was. I could swear I never heard that word coming from my dermatologist’s mouth when a 15 year old Carolina was trying to figure out how to fight acne using popular 3-steps cleansing programs that never really delivered. Then why was this Korean girl talking to me about using fermented essences - another word I learned about that day - in order to accomplish dewy, healthy and young-forever skin?

At this point you must be wondering, what in the world is an essence? Don’t worry, I stood on that same place once. Essences are a watery-like skincare treatment meant to fight fine lines, hyperpigmentation, dullness, dehydration, wrinkles and lack of elasticity. Ask any Korean about it and you’ll surely be told they’ve owned hundreds of them throughout their whole life, ‘cause friends, essences are the very heart and soul of any K-beauty routine.

So, why am I here pretending I’m profesor Malis? Because Neogen just came up with their Real Ferment Micro Essence, formulated with 93% naturally fermented ingredients and I got the opportunity (and real pleasure) to try it before its official launch on Nov. 1st! (#blessed)

Let’s start with the basics. What’s in it? Well, it’s a long list, but let’s go with the essentials: Bifida ferment lysate and Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate (meant to hydrate and increase skin’s elasticity) Birch Juice (this ingredient is so incredibly hydrating that many Korean products use it as a replacement for water) Aspergillis ferment (ready to fight hyperpigmentation and wrinkles, and let’s not forget our favorite word: hydrating) and Rice Ferment Filtrate (a powerful antioxidant used to get brighter and moist skin)

Now, what’s the deal with fermentation? And nope, this has nothing to do with your morning kombucha. When talking skincare, fermented ingredients are broken down so the nutrients and minerals can be quickly absorbed by the skin. This will increase the level of antioxidants, vitamins and amino acids in each ingredient, AKA the ageing processes will slow down and elasticity willbe back on business.

I know, I know, you’ve heard K-beauty routines include like 300 steps, so where do you place the essence? Right after the toner! I’ve been using this one everyday for a week now (as my morning essence) applying two layers of it as I read Charlotte Cho does and I don’t even feel the need of layering with morning serums everyday.

How can you get this preciousness to be yours? Well, well, well, The Neogen Real Ferment Micro Essence launches on Soko Glam on Wednesday November 1st! So go order yours immediately before it’s sold out and let me know what you think of it!