The saying “You are what you eat” has been doled out for decades to inspire people to eat healthier, but 2024 is here to teach us that fermented foods like kimchi are onto something. They can give you the ultimate hair glow-up. For you who resolve to tend to your mane, let’s just say fermented hair products will help you reach your goals.
According to Alison Cutlan, “Ferments are truly ‘superfoods’—think kombucha for hair.” She’s the VP of Innovation at The Rootist, where she uses her biotech background, fermentation expertise, and creativity to develop beauty products. She says if you want stronger, healthier hair, ferments are the secret.
“The fermentation process makes clinically effective ingredients even more powerful, more bioavailable, and more biocompatible, meaning they are safely and readily absorbed by hair and scalp. So, in other words, it’s the best method to really make an impact,” she explains.
Why does fermented hair care provide so many noteworthy benefits? “Amino acids, silica, and vitamins derived from the fermentation process penetrate the hair shaft more effectively. This, in turn, contributes to enhanced strength and shine,” she shares.
Below, Alison shares more reasons why using fermented hair care is worth the fuss.
1. Active Root Support
Fermentation supercharges the ingredients, supporting healthier roots that provide a solid foundation for vibrant hair.
2. Hydrated and Balanced Scalp
By transforming substances into more potent, skin-friendly molecules, ferments help maintain a hydrated and balanced scalp. This contributes to overall scalp health and sets the stage for optimal hair growth.
3. Improved Hair Texture
The small molecules from the ferment easily penetrate the hair shaft, delivering rich bioavailable nutrition. This improves the hair’s texture, making it softer to the touch and easier to manage.
But, as with any purchase, Alison cautions caveat emptor because not all fermented hair products are created equal. “The key lies in the ingredients used,” she explains. “The fermentation process is a natural one, involving microbes like bacteria and yeast breaking substances down into tiny, nourishing molecules. This results in ingredients that are more powerful and better received by the scalp.”