Bacillus Ferment

Not every customer wants a gritty scrub or a strong acid peel. Many look for a gentler way to remove dull surface cells and reveal smoother-looking skin. Bacillus Ferment is a liquid ingredient produced by fermentation with Bacillus bacteria, a type of material known in skincare for enzyme-based, non-abrasive exfoliation.

How ferment exfoliation works

Bacillus species produce enzymes, including proteases that can loosen the bonds holding dead cells together at the very surface of the skin. A ferment filtrate carries some of that activity into a cosmetic. The result is a gentle smoothing effect without particles and usually without the low pH of acid peels. The exact INCI, enzyme activity and recommended level are listed on the supplier CoA for each lot.

Specifications from the supplier specification

Liquid, soluble in water, pH 5.0 to 7.0. Applications: appearance-focused cosmetic creams, gels and body lotions; brightening products; peels and scrubs; masks; non-abrasive exfoliants.

Product formats

Enzyme peel gel

A clear gel applied for a few minutes and rinsed off. The ferment is the hero; a humectant base keeps the skin comfortable.

Powder-free mask

A cream or gel mask used once or twice a week for smoother, brighter-looking skin.

Leave-on products

appearance-focused cosmetic creams and body lotions with a lower level for a subtle daily smoothing effect.

Brightening products

A smoother surface reflects light better, which supports a brighter-looking complexion.

Protecting activity

Enzyme-related activity is sensitive to heat, extreme pH and some preservatives and surfactants. Add the ferment at cool-down, below about 40 °C, keep the finished pH within 5.0 to 7.0 and check compatibility with your preservative. Avoid strong surfactants in leave-on products. In stability testing, include an activity check if the supplier provides a method.

Combining with other ingredients

Ferment exfoliants combine well with soothing and hydrating ingredients. Add panthenol and a humectant to keep the skin comfortable. For a fermented partner with a different role, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate supports a broader ferment-led story. More smoothing and biotech concentrates are listed under actives.

Usage advice

Recommend one to three uses per week for rinse-off peels and masks, avoiding the eye area. Stop use if irritation appears.

Claims

Use wording such as smoother, softer, brighter-looking skin and a more refined-looking texture. Support claims with tests on the finished product. Avoid any suggestion of a clinical-style peel.

Positioning against acids and scrubs

Customers who find acid peels too strong or scrubs too rough are the core audience. Explain the difference clearly: no particles, no low pH, a gentle surface renewal that suits regular use. This message works well for sensitive-feeling and mature skin.

Original recipe: gentle enzyme peel gel, 100 g

Purified water 86.20 g, glycerin 4.00 g, propanediol 2.00 g, hydroxyethylcellulose 1.20 g, Bacillus Ferment 4.00 g as an example level per CoA, panthenol 1.00 g, allantoin 0.20 g, preservative 1.00 g, citric acid solution 0.40 g. Wet the cellulose with the glycols first, then pour in the water and mix until fully hydrated. Below 40 °C add panthenol, allantoin, the ferment and the preservative. Adjust pH to about 6.0. Apply for five to ten minutes, then rinse.

Record the lot number in your batch log so every production run can be traced back to its certificate of analysis. Retain a small sample of each lot for at least the shelf life of the finished product, since it makes later quality questions much easier to answer.

Storage

Keep tightly closed in a cool, dark place, ideally refrigerated if the CoA recommends it. Reseal after use.