Fermentation – the secret to glowing skin?

Fermentation has already gained great popularity in natural cosmetics. Almost every quality brand has included individual fermented ingredients in their products.

Simply put, in fermentation the ingredients are chopped into a smaller form, allowing the skin to make better use of the active components. As an outcome, also new compounds are formed, such as skin-treating amino acids, fatty acids, peptides, vitamins, probiotics, postbiotics, and protecting antioxidants. Fermentation increases the efficiency of natural cosmetics.

What are the benefits of fermentation in skincare?

1. Improved skin barrier function: Fermentation breaks down the ingredients into smaller molecule compounds, making it easier for the skin to absorb. This leads to improved skin barrier function, which can help to protect the skin from external aggressors such as pollution and UV radiation.
2. Increased efficacy with lower dosage: Fermentation increases the concentration of active ingredients, making them more effective at nourishing and hydrating the skin. This can lead to a more plump and radiant complexion, as well as reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
3. Enhanced skin texture: Fermented actives help increase natural collagen production and ceramides synthesis. They also help to gently exfoliate the skin, removing dead skin cells and promoting cell turnover. These all result in smoother, brighter, and more even-looking skin.
4. Balanced pH: Fermented skincare help to balance the skin's pH level, which can reduce the occurrence of breakouts and other skin issues.
5. Reduced inflammation. Slow fermentation also produces anti-inflammatory microbiotic compounds that help to balance the microbiome, soothe the skin and reduce inflammation.

Amino acids, especially peptides, created by fermentation support skin cell regeneration and improve the collagen synthesis of the skin, which otherwise decreases with age. The amount of collagen in the skin begins to decrease at around the age of 30 and peptides are a great collagen supporting agent, but at the same time they pose a challenge in cosmetics because they are difficult to absorb by the skin. Thanks to fermentation, the skin will now be better able to benefit from peptides.

What is slow bio-fermentation of the product?

What is unique about Circulove face care products is that each and every active ingredient is fermented, including oils. This gives the product a unique but natural suitability for the skin. In accordance with Nordic tradition, Circulove uses only fresh plants, herbs and berries, and only the purest botanical oils for fermentation.

Circulove products are made in small batches in Finland, which enables a slow 3-5 week long fermentation process, and clean artisan-based skin care products that are suitable for even the most sensitive skin. This could be compared to the production of vintage wine; slower process leads to better quality.

Circulove does not add separate cosmetic probiotics to the product, but these are used just as part of the actual fermentation process, in which natural probiotics and postbiotics continue to develop as the fermentation progresses.

Bio-fermentation increases the shelf life and efficiency of natural cosmetics. In addition, fermentation provides a natural pH-balance for the skin. Fermented products are ideal for sensitive skin, rash, acne and to prevent premature aging of the skin.


Expert: Anu Ruohosto, Vitae Clean Cosmetics