Your skin is home to a community of microorganisms, often called the skin microbiome. Interest in supporting that community has brought a new group of ingredients into skincare, including ferment lysates.
What Is Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate?
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate is made by fermenting with Lactobacillus bacteria and then breaking the cells open (lysing them). The result contains fragments and by-products of the bacteria, not live microbes. That makes it stable in a cosmetic formula.
On our site you'll see these products described as prebiotic care, because the goal is to support a balanced skin environment rather than add live bacteria.
What It Does for Skin
Supports a balanced feel. A 2018 review in Nature Reviews Microbiology explains how the skin microbiome interacts with the skin barrier. Ingredients that support that balance aim to help skin feel comfortable and resilient.
Helps skin look calmer. A 2013 review in the Journal of Applied Microbiology summarizes research on bioactive compounds from probiotic bacteria, including lysates, and their potential to support skin's barrier and comfort.
Works gently. Ferment lysates suit daily use and pair well with hydrators.
Where You'll Find It at True Colour Beauty
The Prebiotics Face Mist and the Prebiotics Jelly Serum are built around it.
The Exosome & Niacinamide Serum also includes it. Browse the full Prebiotics collection.
How to Use It
Mist onto clean skin or apply the serum before moisturizer, morning and evening. These products layer well with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and most other ingredients.
What the Research Doesn't Say
Microbiome skincare is a young field. Much of the research is on specific strains and lab models, and results don't automatically carry over to every lysate or formula. Think of these products as support for comfortable, balanced-feeling skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it contain live bacteria?
No. A lysate contains broken-down bacterial cells and their by-products, not live microbes.
Is it the same as a probiotic?
Not exactly. Probiotics are live organisms. Lysates come from them but are not alive.
Is it good for sensitive skin?
It is gentle and commonly used in routines for sensitive skin. Patch test new products.
Are True Colour Beauty products cruelty-free?
Yes. True Colour Beauty is Leaping Bunny certified.
Support From the Inside Out
Ferment lysates help everyday care support a balanced, comfortable skin feel. Explore the True Colour Beauty skincare collection.
Sources
Byrd AL, Belkaid Y, Segre JA. The human skin microbiome. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2018;16(3):143-155.
Lew LC, Liong MT. Bioactives from probiotics for dermal health: functions and benefits. J Appl Microbiol. 2013;114(5):1241-1253.
