The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (CIR) has released a new safety assessment concluding that four Lactobacillus ferment-derived ingredients are safe as used in cosmetics.
The assessment, published on the CIR’s public database,1 specifically evaluated:
- Lactobacillus Ferment
- Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate Filtrate
- Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
- Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract
These ingredients are a popular choice for brands seeking more natural preservation systems.
This safety assessment is particularly relevant if you are targeting natural markets. While you can’t claim “preservative free” if you are using lactobacillus ferment as your preservative system, it still helps with marketing since it is not synthetic and does qualify as “natural.”
A Popular Natural Preservative Alternative
Originally developed by Active Micro Technologies, Leucidal® SF Max is a well-known trade name for a Lactobacillus ferment–based product. It is marketed as a natural antimicrobial active derived through the fermentation of Lactobacillus, a genus of bacteria commonly associated with probiotics.
In recent years, Leucidal® and similar probiotic ferment ingredients have become go-to options for formulators seeking to avoid parabens, phenoxyethanol, and other synthetic preservatives. They offer label-friendly appeal and functional benefits, although they often require complementary strategies such as pH control or the use of co-preservatives to ensure a complete and effective preservation system.
MoCRA Safety Substantiation Requirements
The CIR’s safety determination comes at a critical time, as compliance with the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) ramps up.
Under MoCRA, all cosmetic products marketed in the U.S. must have adequate safety substantiation. This means that cosmetic manufacturers must have documentation supporting the safety of each product, which must be based on scientific evidence.
Having an ingredient assessed and deemed “safe as used” by the CIR can be a valuable component of your MoCRA safety substantiation file, especially if your products rely heavily on probiotic ferments or other naturally derived actives. While CIR assessments don’t automatically fulfill MoCRA requirements, they are widely recognized and often cited as part of a broader safety justification.
For manufacturers using Leucidal® or similar Lactobacillus ferment ingredients, this new CIR report provides formal safety data that can be referenced or included in product dossiers.
Why Does It Matter?
For small businesses and cosmetic entrepreneurs, this CIR ruling:
- Supports safer formulating decisions for using probiotic ferments
- Provides a credible citation for your safety substantiation documentation under MoCRA
- Strengthens your label claims around “natural preservation” and “skin microbiome-friendly” products
- Builds consumer trust by reinforcing that natural doesn’t mean untested
If you are using or plan to use Lactobacillus ferments as part of the preservative system for your cosmetic product, this safety assessment should bring you some additional peace of mind.
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review. Safety Assessment of Lactobacillus Ferment Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics. June 18, 2025 ↩︎
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