Lactobacillus/Dendropanax Morbiferus Sap Ferment Filtrate: What Is It, Cosmetic Uses, Benefits & Side Effects

Curious about this ingredient? In this article we're explaining exactly what it is and why it's used within cosmetic formulations.
Updated on: July 1, 2025
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We verify all information on this page using publicly available nomenclature standards from The Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), the European Commission's CosIng database and documentation provided directly by ingredient manufacturers. Our analysis is based on technical data from these sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.

What Is Lactobacillus/Dendropanax Morbiferus Sap Ferment Filtrate?

Lactobacillus/Dendropanax Morbiferus Sap Ferment Filtrate comes from the sap of the Dendropanax morbiferus tree, a plant native to East Asia that has long been valued in folk care for its soothing properties. Cosmetic chemists discovered that when this sap is fermented with Lactobacillus, a friendly probiotic microorganism, the process breaks down large plant molecules into smaller skin friendly ones. After fermentation the mixture is carefully filtered, leaving a clear liquid packed with amino acids, natural sugars, minerals and gentle acids that help the skin look healthy and feel soft.

The rise of fermented ingredients in Korean beauty during the early 2010s brought this filtrate into the spotlight. Brands wanted milder yet effective actives and turned to fermentation to boost absorption and add extra antioxidants. Today the ingredient is made by collecting fresh sap, combining it with a pure culture of Lactobacillus in controlled tanks, allowing the mixture to ferment for several days, then filtering out solids and sterilizing the liquid so it stays stable in creams and serums.

Thanks to its lightweight feel and skin comforting profile you will most often see Lactobacillus/Dendropanax Morbiferus Sap Ferment Filtrate in hydrating essences, sheet masks, anti aging serums, daily moisturizers, after sun gels and soothing spot treatments.

Lactobacillus/Dendropanax Morbiferus Sap Ferment Filtrate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses

This fermented filtrate brings two main benefits to topical formulas

  • Skin Conditioning: The mix of amino acids and gentle acids attracts water to the surface layers of the skin which helps keep it smooth supple and bright. Regular use can reduce the look of rough patches and boost overall radiance.
  • Emollient: Light natural oils and sugars in the filtrate form a soft film that fills in microscopic cracks on the skin. This helps lock in moisture, calm tightness and leave the face feeling silky rather than greasy.

Who Can Use Lactobacillus/Dendropanax Morbiferus Sap Ferment Filtrate

Because it is light, non greasy and packed with skin comforting molecules this ferment filtrate works for dry, normal, combination, oily and even sensitive skin. Its humectant sugars pull in water without clogging pores so acne prone users generally tolerate it well. There are no known skin types that must avoid it outright, though anyone with a history of extreme reactivity to botanical extracts should proceed with caution.

The ingredient is sourced from tree sap and fermented with Lactobacillus, a probiotic bacterium usually grown on plant based media for cosmetic use, so formulas containing it are typically suitable for vegans and vegetarians. If a brand states that the ferment was produced using dairy nutrients it would lose vegan status, so label readers may want to confirm.

No data suggest that topical Lactobacillus/Dendropanax Morbiferus Sap Ferment Filtrate poses a risk to women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is not a hormone disruptor or vitamin A derivative. Still, this is not medical advice and anyone expecting or nursing should run the product past a healthcare professional just to be safe.

The filtrate does not increase sensitivity to sunlight and can be used in both morning and night routines. It also plays nicely with most actives, including vitamin C, niacinamide and gentle exfoliating acids, making it easy to slot into an existing regimen.

Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions

Responses to any cosmetic ingredient vary by individual. The issues listed below are possible yet uncommon, and when the filtrate is correctly formulated most users enjoy trouble free application.

  • Mild irritation or redness
  • Transient stinging on very compromised or freshly exfoliated skin
  • Allergic contact dermatitis in those sensitive to Dendropanax or other botanical saps
  • Occasional breakout if used in a formula that is heavy with additional oils or occlusives

If you notice any of these reactions stop using the product and seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional

Comedogenic Rating

Rating: 0 / 5

This filtrate is made up mostly of water, amino acids, minerals and small sugars with only trace levels of natural oils. Those molecules sit on the skin lightly and rinse away easily so they do not block pores or feed acne bacteria. As a result it is considered non-comedogenic and generally safe for people who are prone to breakouts. Formulas that pair the ferment with heavy butters or waxes could still clog pores, but that would be due to the other ingredients rather than the ferment itself.

Summary

Lactobacillus/Dendropanax Morbiferus Sap Ferment Filtrate is valued for two main jobs: it conditions skin by drawing in and holding water thanks to its humectant sugars, and it acts as a mild emollient by smoothing over rough spots with a weightless film rich in amino acids and minerals. Through fermentation the sap’s larger compounds are broken down into smaller, more bio-available pieces so skin can soak up the goodness quickly.

The ingredient popped up during the Korean beauty boom and is still something of a niche all-star rather than a global staple, but its gentle profile and multitasking perks are helping it appear in more essences, serums and masks every year.

Current research and decades of safe use in leave-on products suggest that the filtrate poses very little risk for irritation or long-term harm. As with any new cosmetic though, it is smart to perform a quick patch test when trying a product that contains this ferment just to be certain your skin agrees with it.

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