Kombucha has been heralded as one of the trendiest drinks over the past few years. Although its perceived to have health perks, you might be wondering about the benefits of kombucha for your skin, especially if you've grown fond of this seemingly magical beverage.
In a 2012 Daily Mail article, it was reported that kombucha was a favorite with celebs like Madonna, Halle Berry, and others. Although it may have fallen a little out of the celebrity limelight as the years passed, kombucha has trickled down to the mainstream and it still appears popular on social media — searching #kombucha on Instagram returns over 700K posts, with some of the top posts being posted only hours ago (at the time of writing).
However, it was discovered that kombucha contains alcohol — it is a fermented drink after all! According to fellow Bustler Gina M. Florio, depending on how long it's fermented for, kombucha can contain between .5 and 3 percent of alcohol which isn't something to take lightly. As we all know, alcohol isn't the best for our bods; although in comparison to strong spirits and other alcoholic drinks, kombucha is probably among the healthiest. Having said that, kombucha might not be as good for you as you think.
But, what about when it's applied topically rather than ingested — could kombucha have hidden skin benefits? I spoke to an expert to find out how it may help your skin.
"Kombucha is also known in modern Chinese lifestyle as the 'Longevity Elixir' or 'Sea Treasure'," says Ada Lamela, Licensed Esthetician and Global Corporate Educator at Pevonia Botanica, in an email to Bustle. "Originating in Russia and China," continues Lamela, "kombucha was first recognized by ancient civilizations as an elixir of well-being for increased health and longevity."
"Derived from sweet black tea," she elaborates, "kombucha is birthed through a natural fermentation process performed by two micro-organisms: Saccharomyces (yeast) and aceto-bacter xylinum (Acetic Acid Bacterium). Once fermented, the black tea liquid is naturally enriched with highly beneficial vitamins: B1, B2, B3, and B12, as well as a potent combination of repairing acids: Glucuronic Acid, Lactic Acid, Usnic Acid, and Acetic Acid."
Lumafirm Repair Cream — Lift & Glow, $90, Pevonia
So what does this mean for our skin? Lamela informs me that Pevonia’s Lumafirm® Collection uses kombucha as its main ingredient for its powerful and visible benefits it has on the skin, promoting:
- Firming
- Lightening
- Brightening
- Smoothing
- Repairing
- Plumping
- Protecting
"This precious anti-aging component can be found in Pevonia’s Lumafirm® Eye Contour, Lumafirm® Repair Cream Lift & Glow, and Lumafirm® Body Moisturizer — Firm & Glow to truly deliver immediate and cumulative results," says Lamela.
Lumafirm Body Moisturizer — Firm & Glow,$61, Pevonia
Lamela explains that these kombucha containing products are great for anyone with uneven skin tone, dark spots, and hyperpigmentation as well as loose, sagging skin. Plus, they're also ideal for folks who like a taut, matte-look and feel. If you require some skincare assistance in those areas, it might be time to give kombucha enriched beauty products a try.
Who knew that kombucha could be good for our outsides as well as our insides? This is super news for fans of this trendy fermented beverage!
Images: Getty Images (2); Courtesy Brand (2)
