🇬🇧United Kingdom

NEOGEN Dermalogy Real Ferment Micro Essence for combination skin

High

  • SuperiorCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

A great choice for combination skin; a few moisturizers fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.

Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works

Lovi Assistant explains

  • Excellent suitability for your combination skin is provided by Bifida Lysate Ferment and Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, which deeply hydrate and strengthen your skin barrier to combat oily shine.
  • Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate further support your skin's hydration needs, addressing general skincare benefits for your oily shine and combination skin.
  • The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components.

How to apply

  • Use this moisturizer in your AM and PM routine every day to control shine. Always pair with SPF in the morning.
  • Apply this moisturizer after your cleanser and toner, right before your morning SPF.
  • Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin and avoid harsh rubbing. Let it ⏳absorb for a minute.
  • Apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin to help it lock in moisture better. This keeps your combination skin balanced.
  • Avoid the eye area when applying the moisturizer. Do a patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.6Overall rating based on 1.2k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users consistently praise this essence for its ability to deeply hydrate and create a glowing complexion without feeling heavy. It is highly effective for strengthening the skin barrier and brightening dullness, though some users note that results are subtle at first and require consistent use over several weeks to become visible.

Highlights

  • Deep hydration Mostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels plump”
    • “instant moisture boost”
    • “eliminates dry patches”
    • “dewy finish”
    • “hydrates without grease”
  • Fast absorption Often Mentioned
    • “sinks in immediately”
    • “layers beautifully”
    • “water-like consistency”
    • “no sticky residue”
    • “lightweight feel”
  • Improves texture Often Mentioned
    • “honey skin effect”
    • “glass skin look”
    • “smoother texture”
    • “brightens complexion”
    • “healthy radiance”
  • Gentle formula Sometimes Noted
    • “great for sensitive skin”
    • “no fragrance”
    • “doesn't sting”
    • “calms redness”
    • “non-irritating”
  • Quality packaging Sometimes Noted
    • “luxurious glass bottle”
    • “heavy sturdy feel”
    • “looks expensive”
    • “hygienic dispenser”
    • “elegant design”
  • High price Sometimes Noted
    • “a bit pricey”
    • “expensive for essence”
    • “wait for sale”
    • “costly investment”
    • “pricier than alternatives”
  • Slow results Sometimes Noted
    • “takes time to work”
    • “no overnight miracle”
    • “hard to see difference”
    • “requires patience”
    • “too subtle”
  • Causes breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “triggered fungal acne”
    • “caused small bumps”
    • “broke me out”
    • “clogged pores”
    • “reaction to ferments”
  • Fragile bottle Rarely Noted
    • “shattered easily”
    • “broke in transit”
    • “scared to drop it”
    • “fragile glass”
    • “cracked bottom”
  • Heavy for travel Rarely Noted
    • “too heavy to pack”
    • “bulky bottle”
    • “adds weight to luggage”
    • “not travel friendly”
    • “hard to transport”

Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, stylekorean.com, sokoglam.com, neogenlab.us, ulta.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes NEOGEN Real Ferment Micro Essence a great fit for combination skin?

NEOGEN Real Ferment Micro Essence is a great fit because ingredients like Bifida Lysate Ferment and Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate deeply hydrate and strengthen your skin barrier to combat oily shine. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate further support your skin's hydration needs, and the product is unlikely to cause irritation due to its soothing components and lack of harsh ingredients.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023

Which ingredients make this essence a good fit for combination skin?

Bifida Lysate Ferment and Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate make this essence a great fit for your combination skin by deeply hydrating and strengthening your skin barrier to combat oily shine. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate further support your hydration needs, while soothing components help ensure the product is safe and unlikely to cause irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023

What does Bifida Ferment Lysate do for combination skin?

Bifida Ferment Lysate helps strengthen the skin barrier and calm irritation, making it a good fit for combination skin that is prone to sensitivity. This ingredient works by supporting the skin defenses, keeping moisture locked in, and helping to reduce redness.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Experimental Dermatology, 2010

What does Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate do for combination skin?

Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate helps balance combination skin by boosting moisture and smoothing out rough spots. Ferment ingredients in general help calm redness and support the skin barrier, keeping both dry and oily areas comfortable.

Where does this essence go in a skincare routine for combination skin?

This essence is used as a treatment step in the evening routine, placed after your cleansing toner and before your moisturizer. It is unlikely to cause irritation and helps deeply hydrate and strengthen your skin to combat oily shine.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023

Can I use this essence with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this essence with retinol by applying the essence first to hydrate your skin and then following with your retinol treatment. Using a barrier-supporting product beforehand helps calm your skin and may reduce the irritation that sometimes comes with retinol.

Cutis, 2006Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023

How often should I use this essence?

You can use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine, and some people also use it in the morning or twice a day. Daily application helps improve skin moisture and strengthens your skin barrier.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021

Can this essence clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?

This essence is a great fit for your combination skin and is unlikely to cause irritation or breakouts because it leaves out harsh ingredients and includes soothing components. Reviewers rarely mention breakouts, and the formula uses ingredients that deeply hydrate and strengthen your skin barrier to help keep oily shine under control.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Can I use this essence around the eyes or on my body?

This essence is safe to use around your eyes and on your body because its gentle formula lacks harsh ingredients that could irritate sensitive areas. Its hydrating and barrier-strengthening ingredients help nourish delicate skin without clogging pores or causing discomfort.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023

Is this essence fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Topical application of Bifida Ferment Lysate strengthens the skin barrier function by upregulating barrier and antimicrobial peptide genes, exhibiting strong antioxidant properties, and decreasing inflammatory cytokine secretion in vitro.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023
  • A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
  • Hyaluronic acid extracts are safe and efficacious products for skin repair when used in tissue regeneration alone or in combination with herbal or Western medicine.

    Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015
  • Topical moisturizers improved skin barrier function and surface moisture, while a postbiotic moisturizer with yeast extract uniquely supported microbiome balance and modulated biomarkers of skin barrier, structure, and inflammation in participants and ex vivo explants exposed to environmental aggressors.

    Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2023
  • A maintenance therapy with a cosmeceutical formulation containing hydroxyphenoxy propionic acid, ellagic acid, yeast extract, and salicylic acid over 20 weeks significantly improved even skin tone, spot intensity, spot size, and overall hyperpigmentation in 33 healthy subjects with moderate facial dyspigmentation.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2015
  • A methanol yeast extract increases proliferation and migration while decreasing entrance into senescence and apoptosis phases in 3T3 fibroblast cells.

    Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014
  • Daily application of a cream containing niosomes loaded with purple glutinous rice extract in 20 human volunteers for 28 days resulted in a significant decrease in melanin index and skin roughness by -14.05% and -9.95%, and increases in skin hydration and elastic recovery by +48.73% and +35.98% compared to initial values.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020
  • The iontophoretic delivery of hyaluronic acid nanogel-loaded Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate significantly reduced advanced glycation end products and mitigated skin stiffening in an ex vivo skin tissue glycation model.

    International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2025
  • Red rice extract suppressed UVB-induced inflammation and skin aging in human skin fibroblasts by inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathway, leading to decreased NF-kappa B and AP-1 activation, reduced ECM degradation, and increased ECM synthesis compared to UVB-irradiated controls.

    Natural Product Communications, 2016
  • Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
  • Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.

    The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008
  • Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.

    Dermatologic Surgery, 2005
  • Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
  • Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.

    Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022
  • Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.

    BMC Oral Health, 2019

Ingredients

Bifida Lysate Ferment, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Rice Ferment Filtrate Sake Ferment Filtrate, Aspergillus Ferment, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Water, Betaine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trehalose, Lactobacillus, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Trideceth-10, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tropolone, Allantoin, Butylene Glycol, Coptis Japonica Extract, Arginine, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Calcium Carbonate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Adenosine, Niacinamide, Dextrin, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Threonine, Valine, Isoleucine, Phenoxyethanol, Histidine, Methionine, Cysteine

Behind this fit score

Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

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Prices checked 2 Nov – 6 Nov 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for the United Kingdom.

How does it fit your skin?

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