Is Fermented Beauty the Future? A Deep Dive Into New Skincare Brand Glow Culture
Jas is the former Senior Content Specialist at Adore Beauty. A beauty admirer turned certified addict, she brings a sharp editorial eye and pop-culture pulse to everything she creates. Her words have appeared in The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, and Broadsheet. When she’s not producing viral content or podcasting about skincare, you’ll find her thrifting for vintage treasures or binging Bravo (strictly for research, of course).
In Partnership With Glow Culture.
Fermented beauty is having its moment in the sun.
We’ve seen it all—kombucha in your fridge, kimchi in your salad, and now fermentation is making its way into your skincare routine.
Meet, Glow Culture: A new Australian skincare line to Adore Beauty that’s tapping into this trend to deliver what they call “supercharged” ingredients, straight to your face.
So, what’s the deal with fermented skincare?
Taking a page from the K-beauty playbook, fermentation takes regular ingredients and transforms them into more potent, skin-friendly versions of themselves.
Think of it like skincare boot camp—ingredients are broken down into smaller, more absorbable molecules that can penetrate the skin more deeply.
The result? A concentrated hit of vitamins, amino acids, peptides, and fatty acids that support a stronger skin barrier, increased hydration, and a balanced microbiome.
Or, as we like to call it, a glow that says, “I always get my eight hours of sleep and drink plenty of water,” even if the reality is more like, “I binged Love Island all night and am already onto my third coffee before noon.”
Glow Culture’s collection features five vegan products, each with a unique blend of bio-fermented actives, prebiotics, and postbiotics.
I’ve been road-testing the range on my dry skin for the last few weeks, intrigued by its playful packaging (I love me some good branding).
Ahead you’ll find my honest thoughts on the range plus everything you need to know.
1. Glow Culture Skin Reset Biotic Gel Cleanser.
This gel cleanser is formulated to gently cleanse your skin without stripping away its natural oils.
It’s enriched with prebiotics and postbiotics to support a healthy skin microbiome, aiming to balance and refresh your complexion.
Ideal as a daily, second-step cleanser to support skin health.
Key ingredients:
- Niacinamide: Helps to calm the skin and reduce trans epidermal water loss to support a balanced microbiome.
- Clay Micro-Ferment: Lifts away dirt, impurities, and excess sebum, while Pistacia Tree helps unclog pores and reduce blemishes.
- A blend of prebiotics, postbiotics, niacinamide, and cucumber extract helps to calm, soothe, and nourish skin, leaving you with a fresh, healthy-looking complexion.
Clinical results:
- *92% of users said the cleanser was gentle, non-irritating and their skin felt soft and smooth.
- * Based on an independent study conducted on 38 participants for 4 weeks. Skincare benefits increase over time with consistent use.
My Glow Culture Skin Reset Biotic Gel Cleanser review:
You know those random seethrough jelly-looking things you often find at the beach? Odd, I know, but stay with me. They’re usually along the shoreline, washed up from the sea.
That’s kind of what this cleanser looks like to me. But not in a gross way, more of a fascinating, I-just-wanna-touch-it kinda way.
As I’m coming to learn, that’s kind of fermented beauty’s thing: intriguing textures and hard-to-place scents.
The Glow Culture Skin Reset Cleanser emulsifies easily and lathers up beautifully to give a satisfying clean, but still leave my skin comfortable.
I’ve subbed it into my routine as my second-step cleanse, applying it after removing my SPF and makeup with an oil-based cleanser.
It has a light, refreshing scent and cute packaging to boot (two-for-two senses).
Melbourne’s weather has thrown everything at us bar the kitchen sink lately, and this barrier-supporting cleanser has shielded my skin safely.
I’ve noticed my skin looks clearer and brighter, and the cleanser seems to play well with my dry skin despite its gel texture being better suited to combo or oily types.
2. Glow Culture Super Boost 3-in-1 Microderm Facial.
This multitasking treatment promises to exfoliate, peel, and hydrate in just three minutes.
It’s designed to simplify your routine with a single product that offers multiple benefits, including gentle exfoliation and a peel-like treatment. The addition of fermented vegan collagen aims to strengthen and hydrate the skin.
Key ingredients:
- Caffeine: Energises the appearance of tired skin.
- Bamboo Spheres + Jojoba Beads: Exfoliate gently for a smoother texture.
- Fermented Lactic Acid + Papaya Extract: Provide exfoliating benefits and target clogged pores and excess oil.
- Biocompatible Fermented Vegan Collagen: Aims to reduce moisture loss and strengthen the skin barrier.
Clinical results:
- *93% of users said their skin looked and felt exfoliated, polished and healthier after one treatment.
- * Based on an independent study conducted on 29 participants for 4 weeks. Skincare benefits increase over time with consistent use.
My Glow Culture Super Boost 3-in-1 Microderm Facial review:
Firstly, this is the cutest little Pokemon-like pod I ever did see! And as we’ve established, she’s a sucker for some sweet branding.
A simple twist opens the product, revealing a bright sugary scrub beneath the seal. It has a fresh citrusy scent that’s not offensive or overpowering, with a texture that’s quite thick and grainy.
Super Boost is intended to be applied to clean, wet skin and left on for three minutes (*This bit is important, I’ll explain shortly). This gives the enzymes enough time to activate and work their magic.
Following this, add water and gently massage in circular motions. Be sure not to scrub or massage too vigorously, especially if you have sensitive skin.
I also found it easiest to rinse off in the shower, it’s kind of like washing sand off your face; those teeny tiny particles manage to find their way into everything.
Now, to the results.
I have dry skin that’s no stranger to a temper tantrum, so I tend to tread lightly around physical exfoliators and find gentle chemical exfoliators more suitable for my skin type.
With that in mind, I found this 3-in-1 worked well when I left it on for a minute or so, and washed it off in the shower, bypassing the massage step. It made my skin look instantly brighter and feel smoother.
I made the mistake of leaving it on for too long on one occasion (I got carried away cooking), and the result was not so pretty.
Hence my note above: Three minutes max.
With that in mind, in my opinion, Glow Culture’s Super Glow is probably more suited to tolerant, non-sensitive skins, and those looking to improve the appearance of dull skin, rough texture, signs of aging, uneven skin tone and clogged pores.
3. Glow Culture Double Duty Retinol Repair Serum.
This multitasking nighttime renewing serum is formulated with encapsulated retinol and bakuchiol (plant-based retinol-like active) to help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.
Designed to be gentle yet effective, Double Duty promotes smooth, radiant-looking skin while minimising irritation.
Key ingredients:
- Fermented Rice Water: Helps smooth, firm, brighten and soften skin.
- Pre and Postbiotics + Micro-Nutrients: Help support, nourish and protect the skin barrier.
- Fermented Argan Oil: Rich in Omega Acids to hydrate, support and protect the skin barrier.
Clinical results:
- *86% of users noticed their skin felt softer, smoother and hydrated.
- * Based on an independent study conducted on 42 participants for 4 weeks. Skincare benefits increase over time with consistent use.
My Glow Culture Double Duty Retinol Repair Serum review:
Another skin shelfie-worthy design, can we all take a second to appreciate how damn cute this packaging is?! And it protects the product to maintain its efficacy – 10/10! Ok, moving on.
I’ve only been using retinol/vitamin A for the last year, so I’d still consider myself a bit of a novice.
But I was pleased to discover this gentle formula was kind to my semi-tolerant skin.
I’ve been using it twice weekly for about a month and so far haven’t experienced any issues. It always makes my skin feel soft with its creamy texture.
As I do with my regular retinol, I sandwiched Double Duty with a hydrating serum (my all-time favourite is La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum 50ml).
This helps minimise potential irritation and actually enhances the retinol’s capabilities.
In my late twenties, I’m fortunate to only have minimal signs of aging (not a brag, just a fact), so any improvements in this area are subtle.
That said, this retinol feels quite hydrating and gives my skin a healthy glow the next morning–two timeless benefits, no matter what age.
4. Glow Culture Dewy Drencher Light Gel-Cream.
For hydration without heaviness, there’s Glow Culture Dewy Drencher.
It’s formulated with 9X fermented ingredients and powerful actives to deliver deep hydration without feeling greasy, morning and night.
Key ingredients:
- Olive Squalane: Helps moisturise, boost hydration and reduce signs of aging.
- Fermented Golden Millet: Helps increase hydration and support the skin barrier.
- Fermented Astragalus Root: An adaptogenic botanical that helps promote softer, firmer, brighter-looking skin.
- Bio-Fermented Blend: Pre and Postbiotics and micro-nutrients to help support, nourish and protect the skin barrier.
- Fermented Soybean, Japanese Bloodgrass + Mistletoe: A concentrated complex with antioxidant and moisturising benefits, helping to soothe and calm skin.
Clinical results:
- *93% of users said the moisturiser was lightweight, fast absorbing, and non-irritating.
- * Based on an independent study conducted on 41 participants for 4 weeks. Skincare benefits increase over time with consistent use.
My Glow Culture Dewy Drencher Light Gel-Cream review:
This is a nice everyday moisturiser with a gel texture ideal for those who prefer a lighter hand.
It has a fresh citrus scent like a summery spritz, with a soothing formula that absorbs quickly.
My favourite part of this cream is how glowy it makes my skin look. True to its name, it casts a dewy sheen across the skin to leave it looking healthy.
It’s not as occlusive as the creams I typically reach for, but still makes my skin feel soft and cared for.
With that in mind, I can see this being a great option for combo and oily skin types after lightweight hydration.
5. Glow Culture Moisture Lock Ultra Rich Cream.
An ultra-thick, satin-like day and night cream designed for deep, long-lasting hydration.
It features 11X fermented ingredients, and other powerful actives, to nourish and support the skin’s natural barrier, along with prebiotics and postbiotics to maintain balance.
Key ingredients:
- Bio-Fermented Blend: Helps support, nourish and protect the skin barrier.
- Ceramide Complex: A concentrated complex of fermented and potent actives supports the skin barrier.
- Niacinamide: Helps improve uneven skin tone, skin elasticity, and dullness and promotes a smoother and brighter complexion.
Clinical results:
- *90% of users said their skin felt instantly replenished and super moisturised.
- * Based on an independent study conducted on 42 participants for 4 weeks. Skincare benefits increase over time with consistent use.
My Glow Culture Moisture Lock Ultra Rich Cream review:
True to its name, this is an ultra-rich face cream that intensely hydrates.
It has a thick, satin feel that’s non-sticky and non-greasy, softening as it sinks into the skin.
I’ve been using it once daily during my evening skincare routine, and find its balm texture soothing.
It’s also worked a treat to hydrate other dry areas of my body, like my elbows, feet and knees.
It almost reminds me of nappy cream. Weird, I know, but given that’s what people are using for ‘Face Basting’, it makes me wonder if this Glow Culture Moisture Lock Cream would work for it too...
You don’t need much as well, a decent dollop should cover your face, neck and decolletage.
The only thing I’m not completely sold on is the scent.
It’s not offensive by any means, but rather light and laundry-like. It’s hard to put my finger on, but it’s just not my favourite feature.
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