Below is every ingredient in The Ordinary Saccharomyces Ferment 30Percent Milky Toner explained, its standout actives, and the side effects reported in research for those actives — analysed for Indian skin.
Flags derived from the ingredient list using dermatology reference data (fungal-acne substrate, comedogenicity, EU allergens). General guidance, not a diagnosis.
Answers are derived from the printed ingredient list and dermatology reference data — general guidance, not a diagnosis or a therapeutic claim.
Yeast extract is a biologically active ingredient derived from yeast cells, rich in amino acids, peptides, vitamins, and beta-glucans. It is used in skincare for its hydrating, soothing, and skin-conditioning properties and is sometimes claimed to support skin barrier function and wound healing.
Aggregated from the active ingredients in this product.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Irritation or sensitivity | Very rare | Purified water itself is essentially inert; rare reactions are attributable to contaminants or accompanying ingredients rather than water. |
| Transepidermal water loss aggravation in compromised skin | Rare | Evaporation of water from products may transiently increase dryness in very compromised skin barriers if occlusives are absent. |
| Contact irritation (redness, stinging) | Uncommon | Most often mild and transient, especially in sensitive skin. |
| Allergic contact dermatitis | Rare | Possible in individuals sensitized to yeast-derived proteins. |
| Flare in yeast-sensitive or seborrheic-prone skin | Rare | Reported anecdotally; clinical evidence limited. |
| Systemic hypersensitivity reactions | Very rare | Exceptional; mainly relevant to those with known yeast allergies. |
| Mild irritation or stinging | Rare | Generally only with impure formulations or already compromised skin. |
| Acneiform breakouts / clogged pores | Rare | Low comedogenic rating, but acne-prone individuals may occasionally react. |
| Mild skin irritation | Uncommon | Generally well tolerated, but possible with high concentrations or prolonged contact. |
| Eye irritation | Uncommon | Can cause stinging or redness on direct ocular contact in cleansing formulations. |
| Dryness or barrier disruption | Rare | Possible with frequent use, though milder than traditional sulfate surfactants. |
| Contact allergy / sensitization | Very rare | Allergic contact dermatitis is uncommon for polyglyceryl esters. |
| Transient stinging or redness | Rare | May occur on broken or reactive skin, typically resolving quickly. |
| 1,4-dioxane contamination concern | Rare | Trace byproduct of ethoxylation; mitigated by manufacturer purification |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
| Ingredient | What it does |
|---|---|
| Aqua Solvent / vehicle | Aqua (water) is the most common base ingredient in skincare formulations, serving as a solvent that dissolves water-soluble components and forms the medium for emulsions. It has no direct treatment activity and primarily contributes to texture, spreadability, and product delivery. |
| Yeast Extract Key active Soothing/conditioning agent | Yeast extract is a biologically active ingredient derived from yeast cells, rich in amino acids, peptides, vitamins, and beta-glucans. It is used in skincare for its hydrating, soothing, and skin-conditioning properties and is sometimes claimed to support skin barrier function and wound healing. |
| Squalane Emollient / occlusive moisturizer | Squalane is a saturated, stable hydrocarbon derived from squalene (sourced from plants like olives or sugarcane, or shark liver) used as a lightweight emollient that softens skin and reinforces the skin barrier by reducing transepidermal water loss. It is well tolerated, non-comedogenic for most users, and serves as a base or carrier ingredient rather than a therapeutic active. |
| Lauryl Glucoside Surfactant/cleansing agent | Lauryl Glucoside is a non-ionic surfactant derived from coconut/palm fatty alcohols and glucose, used as a mild cleansing and foaming agent in skin and hair care products. It is considered gentle and biodegradable, often replacing harsher anionic surfactants. |
| Myristyl Glucoside Emulsifier / surfactant | Myristyl Glucoside is a mild, plant-derived nonionic surfactant and emulsifier produced from myristyl alcohol and glucose, used to stabilize oil-in-water emulsions and provide gentle cleansing. It functions as a formulation aid rather than a treatment active. |
| Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate Emulsifier / surfactant | Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate is a non-ionic, plant-derived emulsifier made from glycerin and lauric acid, used to blend oil and water phases and improve texture in skincare formulations. It is mild and commonly chosen for natural or low-irritation products. |
| Isoceteth-20 Surfactant / emulsifier | Isoceteth-20 is a nonionic surfactant and emulsifier derived from ethoxylated isocetyl alcohol, used to solubilize oils and stabilize emulsions in cosmetic formulations. It functions as a base/formulation ingredient rather than a treatment active. |
| Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate Chelating agent | Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate (Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, or HEDTA-type biodegradable chelator) is a biodegradable chelating agent used to bind metal ions in cosmetic formulations. By sequestering trace metals, it helps stabilize products, prevent discoloration and rancidity, and enhance the efficacy of preservatives and antioxidants. |
| Citric Acid pH adjuster / AHA exfoliant | Citric acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid derived from citrus fruits, used primarily to adjust and buffer formulation pH and as a chelating agent, and at higher concentrations as a mild chemical exfoliant. It can promote surface cell turnover and is sometimes included in antioxidant or brightening products. |
| Sodium Citrate pH adjuster / chelating agent | Sodium citrate is the sodium salt of citric acid used in skincare primarily as a buffering agent to stabilize formulation pH and as a chelator that binds metal ions to improve product stability. It is a base/formulation ingredient rather than a therapeutic active. |
| Sodium Hydroxide pH adjuster | Sodium hydroxide (lye) is a strong alkaline compound used in small amounts to adjust and stabilize the pH of cosmetic formulations. At regulated low concentrations in finished products it is considered safe, though it is corrosive in concentrated form. |
| Phenoxyethanol Preservative | Phenoxyethanol is a widely used broad-spectrum preservative that protects cosmetic and skincare formulations from bacterial and fungal contamination. It is typically used at concentrations up to 1% and serves as a formulation/base ingredient rather than an active treatment. |
| Chlorphenesin Preservative / antimicrobial | Chlorphenesin is a synthetic antimicrobial agent used in cosmetics and skincare as a preservative to inhibit the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mold. It is also occasionally used for its mild muscle-relaxant and antifungal properties in topical formulations. |
Key active = does the main work. Ingredient explanations are drawn from public databases & literature.
Peer-reviewed papers on the active ingredients in this product, via PubMed.