What Is Galactomyces And Why Does Skin Love It?

It’s the star ingredient in many Asian beauty products, touted for its ability to do everything from balancing uneven skin tone to fighting bacteria.

But what is galactomyces and why does skin love it? We’re putting it under the microscope to see how it works and who should be using it.

What Is Galactomyces?

Galactomyces is a type of yeast, a byproduct of the sake fermentation process. If you buy into the marketing hype, legend has it that the effects of galactomyces were first discovered by sake brewers, who noticed that their hands stayed young even though the rest of their bodies aged. Galactomyces was supposedly the secret ingredient behind their younger, smoother, brighter hands.

What Does Galactomyces Do In Skincare?

It turns out that many of the claims made about galactomyces in marketing are actually true.

In skincare products, galactomyces has the ability to increase product absorption and also has known antioxidant effects. It has been shown to improve sebum levels in oily skin, as well as brighten and tackle acne. Studies have also show that galactomyce causes epidermal cells to produce hyaluronic acid. This means it has great moisturising properties.

Curious to hear which Korean beauty ingredient will be the best fit for your skin type? Tune into the Korean Beauty Show podcast here:

Who Should Use Galactomyces?

Pretty much every skin type can benefit from using galactomyces, hence the reason it is so popular in Korean skincare products. The following skin types and issues will particularly benefit from galactomyces:

Manyo Galac Niacin Essence

COSRX Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Toner

Numbuzin No.3 Skin Softening Serum

Mixsoon Galactomyces Ferment Essence

SOME BY MI Galactomyces Glow Serum

Purito Galacto Niacin Power Essence

Secret Key Starting Treatment Essence

Elizavecca Witchy Piggy Serum

TL;DR - What is Galactomyces and Why Does Skin Love It?

If you’re suffering from dull skin, tired skin, over-active oil glands, acne, or poor skin tone then Asian beauty favourite galactomyces is an excellent ingredient choice.

In addition to giving the skin a healthier look, it helps balance oily and combination skin types, brighten pigmentation, minimise dark spots and enhances the absorption of the skincare products you apply after.

If you love fermented ingredients like this, you might also like lactobacillus ferment, which you'll find in many beloved K-Beauty products, including this serum. 

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Get STYLE STORY’s other Korean Skincare ingredients breakdowns, including propolis, niacinamide, ceramides, collagen, hyaluronic acid, snail mucin, licorice, bee venom, rice and more!