What Is Bacillus/Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae/Soybean Ferment Filtrate?
Bacillus/Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae/Soybean Ferment Filtrate is a fermented blend that starts with two natural raw materials: soybeans (Glycine max) and the blue-green alga Aphanizomenon flos-aquae. These are inoculated with a safe strain of the probiotic-style microbe Bacillus, which digests the plant material during a controlled fermentation. After several days the mixture is filtered, leaving behind a lightweight liquid rich in small peptides, amino acids, minerals, B-complex vitamins and antioxidant pigments such as phycocyanin. Because fermentation breaks large molecules into smaller, more skin-friendly ones, the resulting filtrate is easy for cosmetic formulas to absorb and remain stable in water-based products.
Fermented soy has been part of food and beauty rituals in East Asia for centuries while algae extracts have long featured in spa skin care. Modern cosmetic chemists combined the two in the early 2000s, looking to pair soy’s conditioning properties with the antioxidant profile of blue-green algae. Adding Bacillus created a cleaner, more predictable fermentation that could be reproduced at scale for global skin care brands.
Today you will spot this filtrate in lightweight anti-aging serums, hydrating day creams, overnight masks, calming after-sun lotions, eye treatments and even some scalp or hair-strengthening sprays. It is water soluble, mild in scent and works well alongside humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid.
Bacillus/Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae/Soybean Ferment Filtrate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This ingredient pulls triple duty in a formula, giving both immediate sensory improvements and long-term skin care support.
- Antioxidant – helps neutralize free radicals generated by UV exposure, pollution and internal stress which may otherwise lead to dullness or premature lines, supporting a more even-toned complexion
- Skin conditioning – supplies amino acids and sugars that boost moisture retention so skin feels softer, looks plumper and stays comfortable throughout the day
- Emollient – forms a light film on the surface that smooths rough texture and reduces transepidermal water loss without a greasy afterfeel
Who Can Use Bacillus/Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae/Soybean Ferment Filtrate
This ferment filtrate is lightweight and water based, so it tends to agree with most skin types including oily, combination, dry and mature skin. Sensitive skin usually tolerates it well because the fermentation step reduces larger potentially irritating proteins into smaller peptides, though anyone with a known soy allergy should proceed with caution.
The ingredient is produced from soybeans, a blue-green alga and a Bacillus microorganism with no animal-derived inputs, making it suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
Current data does not show any specific risks for pregnant or breastfeeding women when the filtrate is used topically at the low percentages found in cosmetics. Still, this is not medical advice and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should review any new skincare product with a qualified healthcare provider before use.
The filtrate is not known to cause photosensitivity, so it can be used day or night without increasing the skin’s vulnerability to sun damage. Standard daily sunscreen is still recommended for overall skin health.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Individual reactions to topical Bacillus/Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae/Soybean Ferment Filtrate can vary. The effects listed below are possible yet uncommon when the ingredient is properly formulated and used as directed.
- Redness or mild stinging in very sensitive or compromised skin
- Allergic response in people with soy sensitivity resulting in itching hives or swelling
- Contact dermatitis if the user is reactive to any residual fermentation by-products or preservatives in the finished formula
- Clogged pores for those extremely prone to congestion when the filtrate is paired with heavier occlusive ingredients in a product
If any of these side effects occur stop use immediately and consult a healthcare professional or dermatologist.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1/5. Bacillus/Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae/Soybean Ferment Filtrate is water based, absorbs quickly and leaves only a very light film so it rarely traps oil or debris in the pores. The fermentation process also breaks down heavier soybean molecules that could otherwise sit on the skin. For most people prone to acne or breakouts this ingredient is unlikely to trigger new clogged pores and is generally considered safe to use in acne-supportive routines.
Keep in mind that finished formulas may include richer butters or silicones that alter the overall pore-clogging potential. Always check the full ingredient list if congestion is a concern.
Summary
This fermented filtrate acts as an antioxidant, skin conditioner and mild emollient. Its cocktail of peptides, amino acids and algae pigments helps neutralize free radicals, attract water to the skin and smooth rough spots without heaviness. Because it is water soluble and gentle chemists can drop it into serums, lotions or hair mists without stability trouble.
While not as famous as hyaluronic acid or niacinamide the ingredient is gaining quiet popularity in clean beauty and K-beauty formulas that highlight fermentation. It is vegan friendly, generally non-irritating and carries a low risk profile when used at typical cosmetic levels.
Most users can enjoy the benefits with little worry, yet every skin is different so it is smart to patch test any new product that features Bacillus/Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae/Soybean Ferment Filtrate before making it a daily staple.