What Is Bacillus/Cladosiphon Okamuranus/Soybean Ferment Filtrate?
Bacillus/Cladosiphon Okamuranus/Soybean Ferment Filtrate is a fermented blend made from Okinawan brown seaweed (Cladosiphon okamuranus) and soybeans. During fermentation the Bacillus microorganism breaks down the seaweed’s natural sugars and the soy’s proteins, creating a light watery liquid that is then carefully filtered. The finished filtrate is packed with skin-friendly fucoidan polysaccharides from the seaweed, small peptides and amino acids from the soy, plus trace minerals that dissolve during the process.
Seaweed extracts have long been prized in Japan for their moisturizing properties, while fermented soy has been used in skincare for its conditioning effect. Combining the two through modern fermentation started gaining traction in the early 2000s when formulators looked for plant-based alternatives to animal collagen and synthetic thickeners. The result is a multifunctional ingredient that can improve texture and deliver gentle nourishment.
Manufacturing begins with sustainably harvested mozuku seaweed and non-GMO soybeans. After cleaning and chopping, they are mixed with a Bacillus culture under controlled warmth and pH. Over several days the microbes digest large molecules into smaller, more absorbable ones. The mixture is pressed and filtered to remove solids, creating a clear or slightly amber liquid that is finally stabilized for use in cosmetics.
You will most often see Bacillus/Cladosiphon Okamuranus/Soybean Ferment Filtrate in hydrating serums, anti-aging creams, sheet masks, soothing gels, leave-on hair conditioners and lightweight daily moisturizers where it can lend both performance and a smooth skin feel.
Bacillus/Cladosiphon Okamuranus/Soybean Ferment Filtrate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This ingredient offers several practical benefits when added to a formula:
- Hair conditioning: The peptides and polysaccharides form a light film on strands that helps smooth the cuticle, reduce frizz and improve combability without leaving heavy buildup.
- Skin conditioning: Fucoidan and amino acids attract and hold water, giving instant surface hydration while supporting a softer, plumper feel over time.
- Viscosity controlling: The natural gums in the filtrate gently thicken water-based products, improving spreadability and helping suspended actives stay evenly distributed.
Who Can Use Bacillus/Cladosiphon Okamuranus/Soybean Ferment Filtrate
This ferment filtrate is generally friendly for all skin types. Dry and mature skin will appreciate its water-binding sugars and peptides while oily or combination skin can use it because the texture is light and non-greasy. Sensitive skin usually tolerates it well since it is free of fragrance and harsh solvents. People with a known soy allergy should skip it because trace soy proteins may remain after fermentation.
The ingredient is plant derived and does not involve any animal inputs, so it is suitable for both vegans and vegetarians.
There are no reports suggesting the filtrate is unsafe for pregnant or breastfeeding women when used in normal cosmetic amounts. This is not medical advice and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should show the product to a qualified healthcare professional before adding it to their routine.
It does not make skin more reactive to sunlight and does not require extra sun care beyond the daily SPF already recommended. It is also water soluble which means it rinses away easily and will not weigh hair or skin down.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Responses to topical Bacillus/Cladosiphon Okamuranus/Soybean Ferment Filtrate differ from person to person. The following points list potential side effects, though they are uncommon when the ingredient is used correctly in a well-formulated product.
- Redness or mild stinging in very sensitive skin
- Itchiness or rash in individuals with soy allergy
- Contact dermatitis if combined with other strong actives that disrupt the skin barrier
If irritation or another unwanted reaction occurs stop using the product and seek advice from a healthcare professional if symptoms persist.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1/5 – Bacillus/Cladosiphon Okamuranus/Soybean Ferment Filtrate is a light water-based liquid that lacks the heavy lipids and waxes usually linked to clogged pores. Its fucoidan sugars and soy peptides dissolve easily in water so they rinse off cleanly and do not sit inside follicles. For these reasons it poses very little risk of causing blackheads or breakouts, making it broadly suitable for acne-prone skin. As with any ferment there is a remote chance that residual proteins might interact with extremely reactive skin though reports of acne flare-ups are rare.
Summary
Bacillus/Cladosiphon Okamuranus/Soybean Ferment Filtrate conditions skin and hair while also helping a formula reach the right thickness. It does this by delivering seaweed-derived fucoidan that draws moisture to the surface, soy-based peptides that soften texture and naturally occurring gums that add a hint of slip and body to water-rich products. Although not a headline ingredient like hyaluronic acid or niacinamide it has carved out a steady spot in Asian beauty lines and is slowly appearing in global indie brands that focus on fermentation science.
Overall safety is high; it is water soluble, vegan friendly and non-phototoxic with only soy-related sensitivity being the main caution. As with any new cosmetic it is smart to carry out a quick patch test before full use just to be sure it agrees with your skin.