Fermented Actives: Superfood for Your Skin

In Asian countries, fermentation is an age-old practice whose origins are intertwined with the development of traditional culinary and gastronomic culture.

However, it is not a particular cooking or preparation method, but rather a biological process that uses microorganisms such as yeasts, molds, and bacteria to transform the sugars and starches present in food into such substances as acids, gases, and alcohol.

This technique, basically converting complex ingredients into simpler compounds, not only allows for preservation but also alters flavor, texture, and nutritional profile of foods, making them more digestible and nourishing.

In fact, fermentation increases the concentration of vitamins, amino acids, peptides, probiotics, and antioxidants, turning these foods into a true elixir of health.

From the Far East, many fermented foods have also made their way onto our tables — think of Kimchi, the typical Korean fermented vegetables, or Kombucha, the fermented tea.
There’s also Japanese Natto, cooked yellow soybeans fermented with bacterium Bacillus subtilis, known to support cardiovascular health, improve digestion, gut well-being, and strengthen the immune system; Miso, a salty paste made from soybeans fermented with salt and koji (Aspergillus oryzae fungus), which promotes gut health, supports immunity, and helps lower cholesterol; and furthermore, soy sauce (shoyu), rich in antioxidants and plant proteins; Mirin, fermented glutinous rice that helps reduce inflammation; Umeboshi, salted and fermented plums with detoxifying and alkalizing properties; and the many probiotic beverages made from fermented milk that help maintain a healthy intestinal flora.

In Asian countries, particularly in Japan and Korea, fermentation is also applied in the field of cosmetics.
This process is used to enhance the properties of natural ingredients such as rice and soy, transforming them into simpler, more bioavailable, and concentrated active ingredients—making them more effective in skincare treatments.

Fermented ingredients provide skin with:

• Deep nourishment and hydration
• Stimulation of collagen production, improving tissue elasticity and tone
• Neutralization of free radicals, counteracting oxidative stress and premature aging
• Smoother skin texture and reduced pore visibility
• A more even and radiant complexion
• Strengthening of the skin’s natural barrier.

An example of high-end skincare products? Youth Power Advanced Essence by Decorté, which contains a high percentage of Kurokoji, the fermentation liquid of black koji. Resulting from 240 hours of fermentation, Kurokoji is a natural ingredient derived from rice, exclusive and unique: it contains over 470 active substances. A true superfood for the skin!

There comes a moment when the skin’s youthful energy begins to shift — a subtle yet defining turning point that determines how gracefully it will age.
Guided by decades of cutting-edge dermatological research, DECORTÉ has identified this pivotal moment, traced to a gene known as EFEMP2 — the very gene that governs the destiny of skin cells.

When EFEMP2 levels decline, cells lose their vitality, slowing their renewal cycle and giving rise to visible signs of time.
Inspired by this discovery, DECORTÉ has created Youth Power Advanced Essence, a new-generation essence-lotion that harnesses the wisdom of Japanese tradition and the power of fermentation to awaken the skin’s regenerative potential.

More than a treatment, it is a catalyst for rebirth — targeting all visible concerns, from enlarged pores and dryness-induced fine lines to dullness, uneven texture, and loss of firmness. By reviving the fibroblasts’ ability to renew, the essence acts at the root of aging itself, helping prevent the formation of senescent cells and preserving skin’s youthful harmony.

At the heart of this breakthrough formula lie two exceptional actives: Kurokoji Ferment Extract (62%) and Multilamellar Bio-Liposome Essence (37%) — a fusion of ancestral craft and modern biotechnology.

Kurokoji, a rare black koji fermentation of Aspergillus, is an elixir infused with over 470 components — including 39 peptides such as glutathione, 18 different amino acids like proline, 353 organic acids such as lactic acid, 3 vitamins (including B3), and 9 nucleic acids (DNA/RNA).
This precious extract is obtained by fermenting Awayuki-komachi rice grown in Akita — rich in minerals and nutrients — with a unique black koji strain for 240 hours, yielding a rich essence revered for its deep hydration and conditioning power.

Infused with 1 trillion Multilamellar Bio-Liposomees, Decorté’s unique capsule technology, it enhances penetration of active ingredients.

Crafted from phospholipids naturally present in the skin, these microscopic spheres deliver active ingredients deep within, precisely where the skin needs them most, ensuring lasting vitality from within.

Youth Power Complex, blending black soybean milk fermentation, purple rice bran extract, gyokuro green tea, and glycerin, acts as a guardian of the EFEMP2 gene — helping to prevent its decline and, in turn, reshaping the future of the skin.

Youth Power Advanced Essence is a sensorial ritual — a delicate yet potent lotion that envelops the skin in youthful luminosity.
Its watery and delicate texture penetrates instantly, leaving behind a feeling of deep comfort and nourishment. With each application, it releases a refined fragrance where the sweetness of black koji fermentation meets the brightness of citrus, soft musk, and the warmth of cedarwood.

Completing this luxurious experience, the packaging reflects DECORTÉ’s commitment to sustainability: a recyclable eco-glass bottle, a plant-derived resin cap, and an FSC-certified outer carton — a harmony of beauty, science, and respect for nature.

Just like him, an ancient hero, still cotemporary — his fragrance.
Or rather, their fragrances: those of Lubin’s Aristia collection, whose name recalls the verses of the Iliad in which Homer defines “aristia” as the extraordinary prowess of epic warriors, the virtue of the finest among men.
The collection is made of six fragrances, each inspired by a hero from one of the great civilizations of the past, created to translate into olfactory form their audacity, charisma, strength, and determination.
All are produced in limited quantities, using exceptionally rare and precious raw materials sourced from around the world, to create exclusive compositions capable of elevating the personality of those who wear them.

The fragrance takes us back to the deeds of the Renaissance heroes — men ready to fight for an ideal, yet equally capable of savoring life’s most elegant and refined pleasures, enveloped in the trail of their fragrance.
Here, an intriguing essence of violet, blackberry, and blueberry is veiled by a lingering echo that intertwines leather, iris, and cashmere wood.

Daïmo pais tribute to the namesake vassals of the Japanese Emperor who led the samurai army.
Fearless in the face of danger, lovers of elegance and true aesthetes, they used perfume before every battle.

For them, a bouquet with a fresh, fruity opening yet a heart of woods and spices — a virile mélange of patchouli, sandalwood, and amber.

Gajah Mada takes its name from the most valiant Javanese general, who conquered islands and kingdoms.

Despite his skill in battle, he offered gifts at temples and burned precious balsams and fragrant wood to earn the gods’ protection.

The notes that arose from these rituals crystallize into a fragrance with a heart of dates, Tolu balsam, and frangipani, softened by a sillage that blends patchouli, benzoin, and sandalwood.

Coming from the Middle Ages is Galaor, the wandering knight, devoted to serving noble causes.

A conqueror on the battlefield and in love, he did not disdain the refined life of the court, amidst puffs of perfume and delicate incense. For him, a triumph of myrrh, cinnamon, and Bulgarian rose, enriched with hints of patchouli, Peruvian balsam, and vetiver.

A tribute to the raw power and untamed virility of barbarian warriors, proud upon their steeds, striking down foes in fierce assaults where the clash of weapons mingled with the scents of horses, leather, and ancient balms. This fragrance captures the essence of their presence, opening with radiant notes of saffron, myrrh, and storax balsam, before fading into a lingering memory of rugged leather, Atlas cedar, and smoky oud. A scent that carries the wind, echoing the spirit of warriors who left their mark on both land and legend.

Sinbad, inspired by the legendary sailor of One Thousand and One Nights, who dared storms, monsters, and mythical realms. This is not merely a fragrance, but an olfactory voyage, unfolding page by page with a heart of rose, cinnamon, incense, and orange blossom, intertwined with warm, enveloping touches of vanilla, benzoin, sandalwood, and gray amber. A scent that carries the spirit of adventure, where every note tells a story of distant lands and daring journeys.