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Thermus Thermophillus Ferment

What Thermus Thermophillus Ferment is & what it does

A ferment derived from Thermus thermophilus, a microbe that thrives in hot springs and deep-sea vents. Brands include it as a skin-conditioning ingredient meant to help skin cope with heat and environmental stress, which is a natural fit for a sunscreen. It supports the supporting cast of a formula rather than providing the SPF itself.

What is Thermus Thermophillus Ferment and what does it do in sunscreen?

Thermus Thermophillus Ferment is a ferment made from a heat-loving microbe found in hot springs and deep-sea vents. In skincare it is used as a conditioning ingredient meant to help skin cope with heat and environmental stress, which makes it a natural pairing with a sunscreen. It is a supporting ingredient and does not provide the sun protection itself.

Is Thermus Thermophillus Ferment safe?

Yes. It is a fermentation-derived ingredient used at low levels in cosmetics, with a good tolerability record and no notable irritation concerns. As with any ferment or active, a patch test is sensible if your skin is very reactive. For most people it is a gentle addition.

Does Thermus Thermophillus Ferment clog pores?

Generally no. It is a water-based ferment used in small amounts, not a heavy oil or wax, so it is an unlikely pore-clogging culprit. If you are breaking out, the richer emollients and oils elsewhere in a formula are far more likely the cause.

Is Thermus Thermophillus Ferment a probiotic?

Not exactly. It is a ferment, meaning it is the product made by culturing the Thermus thermophilus microbe, rather than live bacteria you put on your skin. The microbe itself is not present in the finished ingredient. It is added for the conditioning compounds the fermentation produces.

What is Thermus Thermophillus Ferment on an ingredient list (INCI)?

"Thermus Thermophillus Ferment" is the INCI name on the label, named after the bacterium it is fermented from. It usually appears low on the ingredient list among the conditioning and protective actives. You may see it marketed as a thermal or hot-spring derived ingredient.

Sunscreens with Thermus Thermophillus Ferment

We rate 110 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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