Galactomyces Is the Latest Skincare Ingredient You’re About to See Everywhere

What Is Galactomyces? 

Put simply, “Galactomyces is a yeast that can be found in beverages like sake and has been used in recent years as an ingredient in skincare products,” explains Rachel Nazarian, MD, FAAD, dermatologist at New York City’s Schweiger Dermatology Group.

“It was found that farmers who worked with sake had very youthful hands, and that led to the discovery that galactomyces can be used for anti-aging,” she says. Although galactomyces (pronounced ga-lact-o-my-sees) has origins in Japan, it was made popular by the Korean beauty industry. “We now have studies that have shown this very useful ingredient to decrease inflammation and boost anti-aging pathways of the skin,” adds Dr. Nazarian, which shows this ingredient’s promise.

What Are the Benefits of Galactomyces for Skin?

The known benefits of galactomyces for skin include the following:

• Improves Hydration: According to Dr. Nazarian, galactomyces “improves water retention in the skin,” which helps the overall skin barrier maintain hydration.

• Acts as an Antioxidant: It “can neutralize free-radical damage caused by ultraviolet light, which combats skin-aging,” says Dr. Nazarian.

• Decreases Inflammation: Galactomyces has a soothing effect on the skin by calming inflammation.

• Reduces the Appearance of Wrinkles/Fine Lines 

• Improves Skin Texture/Pigmentation: Galactomyces can help improve the overall appearance of the skin by reducing melanin production. “This tiny little ingredient packs a very strong anti-aging punch,” says Dr Nazarian. 

Are There Any Side Effects?

Before adding any new skincare ingredient into your routine, you should always consult with your dermatologist first, especially if you have sensitive skin. Patch testing can also be a good idea if that typically works for you. Dr. Nazarian specifically calls out that people with rosacea and acne should speak with their dermatologist before using galactomyces. 

“I find it works well for dry and oily skin types,” Dr. Nazarian explains. “It has a unique ability to regulate sebum/oil production but also hydrate skin. These skin types tend to do well with the oil-balancing and strengthening of the skin barrier that galactomyces provides.”

How to Incorporate Galactomyces into Your Routine

Unless you have acne, rosacea, or any other skin irritation, Dr. Nazarian says galactomyces are generally safe to incorporate into any skincare regimen. Just make sure to consult with your dermatologist before trying any new products. As a general rule, layering the thinnest skincare product to thickest is the correct way to apply products.

Since galactomyces can come in many different forms, you can start with a galactomyces essence, like the COSRX Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence that can be applied immediately after cleansing the skin. Or, we’re fans of the KOKIE PROFESSIONAL Retinol 2% + Niacinamide Serum that packs in galactomyces, along with other powerful anti-aging ingredients like retinol and niacinamide. In general, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and niacinamide are all ingredients that work well with galactomyces.