The power of fermentation

The term “to sanitise” describes the process of cleaning a surface and making it free of germs. Since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic, disinfectants have been used much more widely to get remove viruses and bacteria from hands and surfaces. They are also being sprayed on hands and in special situations, such as suspected contamination also on other parts all over the body. As hand wash lotions are not practical everywhere, the usage of sanitisers has increased, making it a regular part of our lifestyle nowadays.

Side effects of chemicals

Extensive use of sanitisers for killing bacteria and viruses have led to several side effects: As these prod-ucts kill the entire micro-flora on the skin, it also removes the natural healthy biomes of the skin, affecting skin health. The skin loses 
its natural moisture and becomes thinner which leads to dryness, irritation, redness, burning sensation and causing skin peel.

The damaged skin tends to have increased free radical activity, hastening its ageing process. Even the hair loses its texture and becomes frizzier. The scalp dries, resulting in dandruff.

So, it can be said that the increased use of disinfectants increases the risk of poor skin health. Due to the extensive use of disinfectants and the inevitable routine in the wake of Covid-19, is it necessary to compromise on skin health and skin care?

The use of natural ingredients offers the hope of solutions. Topping up sanitisers with some natural actives could restore waning skin health.

Natural solution approach

Bioferments as natural ingredients have the potential to boost the natural nutrition of the skin. They are obtained by fermenting vegetables such as carrots, radishes, and soybeans. The resulting filtrate is said to have a healing effect.

The manufacturing process is based on old tradition that is converted into a technology, where friendly microorganisms, such as yeast and bacteria ferment solid bio substrates like carrots, radishes, soya beans, onion etc. for two to three weeks under strictly controlled conditions. The results are extracts called bioferments.

Fermentation essentially mobilises the actives from the hard-core plant matrix into the medium, that is difficult or impossible to extract by the conventional routes. 

The process of fermentation can increase the potency and bioavailability of the original bio substrates. Ferment filtrates are more symbiotic with the skin and actually mimics the cell functions supporting the skin without disrupting its natural processes. The fruit acids, which are abundant in fermented ingredients, also help to moisturise. It essentially strengthens the skin’s metabolism to retexture itself.

Each vegetable has its own bio-active profile and so are their ferments. Thus, a carrot ferment filtrate has actives that improve skin radiance and glow; soya ferment filtrate contains anti-ageing actives; onion ferment filtrate has actives that improve hair growth and skin texture of scars. These can be rationally integrated into appropriate formulations singly or in combination according to the targeted benefits.

Bioferment filtrates are extracts, loaded with all the nutrients of the vegetables. They can be enriched with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. The enriched filtrate carries the nutrients in the simplest forms and are obtained as a result of the enzymatic reaction of microorganisms on the substrates.

The bioactive content in the ferment filtrates vary from 450 to 500 micrograms/ml and recommended use level is 1 to 5%. 

Properties

Bioferments are rich in antioxidants reducing free radical activity. Thus, they can delay the ageing of the skin.

The filtrates have moisturising properties, enabling the retention of the natural moisture of skin and hair. They promote healing cracks in the skin, leaving it soft and smooth. Natural vitamins in the ferment enhance the health of the skin and scalp. Minerals play a major role in maintaining the texture of the skin (elasticity and firmness) and revitalise skin balancing cell activity. Phytonutrients reduce photo damages, inflammation, oxidative stress, and breakdown of the extra-cellular matrix of the skin.

Benefits in practice

Enriching hand sanitiser with these fermented super-extracts protects the skin from harshness. At the same time, implementation of ferment filtrates into sanitisers does not have any negative impact on the microbial killing efficacy of the product.

The dryness of the skin due to regular exposure of sanitisers is reduced by the moisturising properties of the ferment filtrates.

The phytonutrients heal inflammation and damages to the skin caused by other ingredients in the sanitisers. They prevent the thinning of the skin layers, protecting the skin from the sunburn. The skin is maintained in its original youthfulness.

The antioxidants prevent the free radicals’ activity in skin cells, delaying the ageing process, and retaining its texture. Natural vitamins and minerals also play a vital role in maintaining skin health