Bifida Ferment Lysate
Also known as Bifida Ferment Lysate, Bifidobacterium longum ferment lysate, BFL
“No regulator has issued a verdict on this ingredient.”
Bifida Ferment Lysate (BFL), derived from Bifidobacterium longum fermentation, is a probiotic-derived skin-conditioning active. Wang et al. (2023, PMID 37218728) demonstrated in vitro that BFL upregulates skin physical barrier genes (FLG, LOR, IVL, TGM1, AQP3) and antimicrobial peptide genes, shows dose-dependent antioxidant activity, and reduces secretion of IL-8 and TNF-α in immune cell models. Guéniche et al. (2010, PMID 19624730) conducted a randomized, double-blind clinical trial in 66 women with reactive skin, finding that a 10% BFL cream significantly decreased skin sensitivity, improved barrier function (increased tape-stripping threshold), reduced skin dryness after 29 days, and inhibited capsaicin-induced CGRP release in nerve cells. CIR has not assessed this ingredient; it does not appear in the October 2024 Quick Reference Table.
Upregulates skin barrier structural genes (filaggrin/FLG, loricrin/LOR, involucrin/IVL, TGM1, AQP3) in vitro
Dose-dependent antioxidant activity against multiple radical types
Reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-8, TNF-α) in vitro
Clinically demonstrated reduction in skin sensitivity and improved barrier resilience in reactive skin (RCT, n=66)
Inhibits capsaicin-induced CGRP release in nerve cell models, suggesting neuro-calming mechanism
No CAS number — ferment mixture, not a defined small molecule; no systemic absorption concerns at cosmetic use concentrations
- · No CIR safety assessment on file as of October 2024
- · In vitro evidence predominates; long-term in vivo safety data are limited in public literature
- · Ferment-derived complex mixture — exact composition may vary by manufacturer and fermentation conditions