Can Fermentation “Preserve” the Skin?

Fermentation preserves food by displacing unwanted microorganisms. Does it work in the same way with skin? Fermented   products are becoming increasingly popular in the food sector. Although it is an ancient process for preserving food, fermentation   is a very modern topic, including in the cosmetics industry. It is known that certain lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus   sakei can positively affect atopic dermatitis (taken orally) [1]. Here we show that millet ferment, produced with lactic acid   bacteria from sourdough production, can also positively influence atopic skin when applied topically. We demonstrated that   bacteria of a healthy skin microbiota can gain a growth advantage and thus lead the skin out of dryness stress. A dermatological   assessment of the atopic condition showed a rapid reduction of symptoms even compared to placebo-treated areas