KOMBUCHA also called “long-life fungus” is a product of the fermentation of sweet black tea by the symbiosis of two micro-organisms. Rich in organic acids and vitamins, Kombucha is well known as a beverage in Russia and China and is believed to confer longevity.
So what does Kombucha do, if anything, when used in skin care? According to Sederma, a company that has a patent on a form of Kombucha used in skin care and has conducted clinical studies on the active ingredient, it “possesses anti-glycation activity and a re-densifying effect on the adipocyte population.” In other words, “Kombucha improves the skin’s overall quality by enhancing the skin’s radiance, density, and color.”
Anti-Glycation and Increased Adipocyte Population:
Glycation is a process by which proteins, certain fats, and glucose tangle together. It affects all body tissues, and tends to make them stiff and inflexible. Glycation causes most problems for organs where flexibility is most important, such as the heart, kidneys, skin and eyes.
Once it has become glycated, the tissues start to produce ‘glycotoxins’, such as Advanced Glycation End-products – or AGEs, which are damaging to our cells. AGEs do this in two ways, both of which promote aging: they produce free radicals, and increase inflammation. Kombucha inhibits glycation (in the above study by 79%) and also increases the adipocyte population (a cell specialized for the storage of fat, found in connective tissue) in the above study by 136%, thus restoring volume in the skin.
Radiance and Smoothness:
Sederma’s research also demonstrated that Kombucha smoothed the skin and increased luminosity as perceived by 75% of volunteers as well as clarity for 81.3% of volunteers.
My synopsis based on the research and my experience with clients/patients who have mature skin and use products with effective levels of quality Kombucha is that it does indeed improve the volume of the skin and add brilliance to the skin. It is an efficacious natural element that works synergistically with advanced clinical active ingredients.