No.3 Skin Softening Serum
Reviewed by SerumTruth Editorial · Price and formula checked July 2026
A well-disclosed, fermentation-forward serum that actually states its two headline percentages, a rarity in this category. The evidence for either ferment is limited and mostly brand-generated, so treat the pore and texture claims as directional rather than settled. For a pleasant-textured layer built on real, named doses, it is easy to like.
- Cheap to use, about $10 a month
- Evidence18 / 30
Strength of the research behind the key actives
- Bifida Ferment Lysate: moderate evidence
- Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate (Pitera): limited evidence
- Niacinamide: moderate evidence
The average of the key actives’ evidence grades.
- Potency21 / 25
Dosed at studied levels, not fairy-dusted
- Bifida Ferment Lysate (42%): dosed at a studied level
- Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate (Pitera) (21%): dosed at a studied level
- Niacinamide: dosed at a studied level
How strongly the actives are dosed, led by the strongest, not how many there are.
- Delivery & stability14 / 20
Delivery tech + packaging that protects fragile actives
- Delivery: standard
- Packaging: clear dropper
- No fragile actives here, so packaging barely moves the score.
Delivery tech plus packaging, and packaging only counts when actives are fragile.
- Formulation7 / 10
Disclosure, active breadth, and ingredient generation
- 2 of 3 actives disclose a concentration
- 3 key actives (breadth credit caps at 3)
- Current-generation or synergistic: Bifida Ferment Lysate, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate (Pitera)
Disclosure, active breadth, and current-generation or synergistic actives.
- Value14 / 15
What a month of use costs vs. the category
- About $10 per month to use
- $28 for 50 ml, used about twice a day (about 0.3 ml each time), so a bottle lasts about 2.8 months
What a month of use costs: full marks at $6 a month or less, the floor at $60 a month or more.
Tap any row to see how its score was built.
Ranks #34 of 84 hydration & barrier serums we have scored.
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What’s inside
| Active | Disclosed | Dose |
|---|---|---|
| Bifida Ferment Lysate | 42% | Studied |
| Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate (Pitera) | 21% | Studied |
| Niacinamide | n/a | Studied |
A fermentation-led texture serum led by a disclosed 42% bifida ferment lysate and 21% galactomyces ferment filtrate (63% combined), with niacinamide, adenosine, panthenol, sodium hyaluronate and squalane rounding out the formula, in a glass dropper bottle. The 42% bifida ferment lysate and 21% galactomyces filtrate are scored here as the two disclosed ferment doses they are. Both are probiotic or yeast-derived ferment blends rather than single dosed actives. Numbuzin cites an in-house two-week study showing reduced pore area and roughness. Neither ferment is fragile.
How it’s delivered
Air- and light-sensitive actives (vitamin C, copper peptides) lose potency fast in the wrong packaging, so delivery and the bottle are scored, not just what’s on the label.
The actives, explained
What the research says
Lab testing on skin cells found bifida ferment lysate boosted skin barrier related genes and showed antioxidant activity.
The pivotal role of Bifida Ferment Lysate on reinforcing the skin barrier function and maintaining homeostasis of skin defenses in vitro. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023. PubMed ↗
In a small trial, a serum with this ferment filtrate plus other actives was linked to a better look of lingering dark spots after 8 weeks.
The Effectiveness of Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Dexpanthenol, and Centella Asiatica Combination Serum in the Treatment of Post-Acne Hyperpigmentation in Subjects with Skin of Color. Skinmed, 2021. PubMed ↗
A study of the active, not this exact product. What matters for the score is whether this serum uses it at a comparable dose.
Higher-scoring alternatives
Same category, better SerumProof score. Worth a look before you buy.
Revision history
- July 11, 2026Price and formula rechecked
- July 10, 2026Review published
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Cosmetic information for general education, not medical advice. The SerumProof score reflects our reading of publicly available research and formulation disclosures. See how scoring works.