What it is
This material is obtained by fermenting hydrolyzed collagen with Lactobacillus bacteria, then filtering out the cells and preparing an extract from the resulting filtrate. The combination of fermentation and pre-hydrolyzed collagen yields low-molecular-weight peptides and amino acids that bind water and condition the skin surface. It is used in the water phase of leave-on formulas as a moisturizing, conditioning active.
Safety & warnings
Generally well tolerated in leave-on skincare. Because it is derived from animal collagen, it is not suitable for those avoiding animal-sourced ingredients; tolerability otherwise depends on the finished formula.
Origin & sourcing
Biotechnological: lactic-acid bacterial fermentation of hydrolyzed collagen (a protein hydrolysate), followed by filtration and extraction.
Questions everyone asks
Is this ingredient animal-derived?
Yes, it is made by fermenting hydrolyzed collagen, which is an animal-sourced protein.
What is its main role?
It serves as a humectant and skin-conditioning ferment active rather than a sunscreen filter.