Galactomyces.

The fermented yeast filtrate behind some of Korea’s most iconic brightening and texture-refining products.

Galactomyces ferment filtrate ~ derived from the fermentation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae ~ became one of the most talked-about ingredients in K-beauty when SK-II’s Pitera ~ a galactomyces-based essence ~ developed a cult following that was impossible to ignore. Korean skincare democratised it, formulating galactomyces at high concentrations in accessible products that delivered the same brightening, pore-refining, and texture-improving results without the luxury price point.

At a functional level, galactomyces works by delivering a complex of vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and organic acids that are absorbed readily by the skin and produce measurable improvements in tone, texture, and radiance over consistent use. It is simultaneously brightening and barrier-supporting ~ an unusual combination that makes it one of the most versatile fermented ingredients in Korean skincare.

The finish galactomyces produces is distinctive ~ skin that looks cleaner, more refined, and more luminous than it did before, with pores that appear visibly minimised and a surface texture that makes everything applied over it look better.

Best for: dullness, uneven texture, enlarged pores, brightening, all skin types.