BUTTER-C
Signature ingredients
Galactomyces essence OEM/ODM manufacturing
Galactomyces Essence · OEM/ODM
According to a 2022 review (Yan et al.), the use of Galactomyces ferment filtrate in skin care grew out of an empirical observation: the hands of sake brewers, in constant contact with fermentation, looked smooth and youthful. That is an origin story, not evidence. In the market, the “fermented essence” applied right after cleansing is a familiar format to consumers; that is market positioning, not a research finding. The featured ingredient is Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate (GFF): the filtrate of a culture medium fermented by microorganisms of the genus Galactomyces, a mixture with no defined chemical composition and not a live microbial preparation. Human evidence is limited: the before–after studies used complete products without a control group, the placebo-controlled trial we found used a three-active serum, and we found no trial comparing GFF alone with a GFF-free base. That is why this Galactomyces essence is built as a moisturizing essence: GFF carries the story, while the “moisturizes” and “helps skin look smoother” claims rest on the humectants in the formula and on testing of the finished product. Butter-C offers turnkey OEM/ODM manufacturing, from formula development and testing to labeled finished goods and the notification dossier.
Formula base
Ferment filtrate, humectants and water
An essence is almost entirely water, so the four groups below decide the skin feel, the stability and the product story.
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate: reading the raw material label correctly
The INCI name describes the origin: the filtrate of a culture medium fermented by fungi of the genus Galactomyces. The INCI name does not specify the strain, medium or process, so materials from different suppliers cannot be assumed to be the same. The material Butter-C holds is the blend “Water (and) Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate (and) Butylene Glycol (and) Ethyl Hexanediol (and) 1,2-Hexanediol”: the use level refers to the blend, not to the filtrate, and the INCI list on the label shows all five components.
Not a live microbial preparation
GFF is a post-fermentation filtrate, different from the idea of beneficial bacteria on the skin. The supplier must confirm the filtration process and provide a microbiological COA for every lot; the label does not say “probiotic” or “beneficial bacteria”.
Base humectants
Glycerin, butylene glycol (partly already in the blend), betaine, sodium PCA, panthenol and a small amount of sodium hyaluronate; this group is the main basis for the moisturizing claim.
Actives added to match the positioning
Niacinamide 2–5%, the range with human data on more even-looking skin tone (per our niacinamide article). Dexpanthenol (panthenol) and centella extract were used together with GFF in one tested serum (Anwar 2021); they can inform the design, but the results of that study belong to the whole formula.
Key technical points
Raw material selection, carrier glycols and microbiology
The raw material dossier decides everything
The sources we read give no marker compound for GFF. Butter-C asks the supplier for the strain, the filtration process, the actual filtrate content of the blend, and microbiological and heavy-metal specifications. Most published studies were run by authors from one company on their own material, so they are not a basis for claims on another material.
Use level per the technical data sheet
Human studies do not state the GFF concentration, and no safety assessment body has issued a concentration conclusion. The blend level is taken from the supplier's technical data sheet (TDS) and fixed through color, odor and stability testing. Figures such as “9x% GFF essence” have no verified source and do not go on the label.
Carrier glycols and the preservative system
The ethyl hexanediol, 1,2-hexanediol and butylene glycol in the blend count toward the formula's total glycols (affecting tackiness and skin feel, assessed on the finished product). These diols do not replace the preservative system: a water-rich, fermentation-derived product must pass a preservative efficacy (challenge) test to ISO 11930, with phenoxyethanol ≤ 1% (ASEAN Annex VI) or a benzoate–sorbate system at a suitable pH.
Color, odor and addition temperature
A ferment can carry a characteristic odor that varies between lots. Adding it in the cool-down phase is common practice, but the temperature, pH range and incompatibilities must be confirmed against the TDS; internal data on these points have no verified source. Color, odor and pH are tracked through accelerated aging and light exposure.
Three formulation directions
Three styles of Galactomyces essence
Water-light essence
GFF with glycerin, betaine and panthenol; patted on by hand right after cleansing. For normal and dry skin and for users who like a short ingredient list.
Lightly thickened, rich-moisture essence
A very low level of sodium hyaluronate or gum for a plumper feel. Absorbs more slowly; tackiness has to be balanced for layering.
Galactomyces – niacinamide essence
2–5% niacinamide in a GFF base. The “helps skin tone look more even” claim rests on niacinamide, not on GFF.
Packaging is designed together with the formula
Frosted glass or opaque plastic bottles, with screw caps, flip-top caps or pumps to limit contamination in use. A spray format needs a separate assessment and is not the default.
Parameters we monitor
What the R&D lab measures on every sample
These are the parameters Butter-C tracks during formula development and scale-up. Specific limits are agreed with you on the approved sample and then written into the product's in-house specification.
- Appearance, color & odor
- Clarity, color and odor against the reference sample across stability time points; a parameter sensitive to fermented ingredients.
- pH
- Measured directly at 25°C; pH drift tracked across stability time points.
- Density & viscosity
- Quick lot identification; viscosity matters for the thickened version with sodium hyaluronate.
- Niacinamide content
- HPLC assay when the formula contains niacinamide; checked per lot.
- Stability
- Accelerated aging at 40°C, freeze–thaw cycling, light exposure and storage at 4°C; watching for darkening, haze and precipitation.
- Incoming raw material microbiology
- Microbiological and heavy-metal COA for every lot of the GFF blend, rechecked before release to production.
- Microbiology & preservative challenge test
- Tested at a GLP / ISO 17025-accredited laboratory; preservative efficacy (challenge) test to ISO 11930 on the final formula.
- Skin evaluation
- The sources we read contain no irritation data specific to GFF, so tolerance is tested on the finished product as required by the target market; a “helps skin look smoother” claim or a moisture figure requires measurement on volunteers using the finished product.
- Packaging compatibility
- Filled into the actual bottle, cap or pump; monitoring for material odor, light transmission and seal integrity.
Claims
Claims matched to the evidence for Galactomyces
Mechanistic data on GFF (AHR receptor activation, upregulation of differentiation and barrier genes, filaggrin, NRF2) come from cultured keratinocytes, 3D skin models and ex vivo skin (Nakajima 2022, Yan 2022, Snowball 2024). In humans: two 8-week studies (47 and 57 young Japanese women) found smaller pore area, roughness and redness compared with before use of a GFF-containing formula (Miyamoto 2021); a 12-month study in 86 women used a set of three products (Miyamoto 2023). None had a control group, all used complete products, and the authors were affiliated with the company. The placebo-controlled trial we found (Anwar 2021, 51 participants) used a three-active serum of GFF, dexpanthenol and centella extract. Level of evidence: limited. There is no CIR or SCCS conclusion specific to GFF; the ASEAN annexes do not list GFF in Annexes II, III or VI (June 2026 edition). Appendix 03-MP of Circular 06/2011/TT-BYT does not accept claims of preventing or reversing aging.
Moisturizes, helps skin look smoother and more radiant (tested on the finished product)
Instead of: repairs skin, regenerates skin, rejuvenates skin.
Improves the appearance of pores and roughness (only when measured on the finished product)
Instead of: permanently tightens pores, shrinks pores.
Contains Galactomyces ferment filtrate
Instead of: contains beneficial bacteria, probiotic, balances the skin microbiome, “pure essence” with an unsourced percentage.
Helps skin tone look more even (only when the formula has 2–5% niacinamide)
Instead of: removes melasma, fades dark marks thanks to Galactomyces, results of the 12-month study.
The sake brewer story
Presented clearly as an empirical observation and the origin of the ingredient's use; not written as a research result, and no brand is named.
Warnings
Avoid the eye area; stop use if irritation occurs. People who have reacted to fermented products should test on a small skin area first. Pregnant or breastfeeding women: data are insufficient, consult a doctor.
Manufacturing specifications
Capabilities
- Texture
- Clear liquid or lightly thickened essence; may carry the natural tint and odor of the ferment.
- Format
- Screw-cap, flip-top or pump bottles, preferably frosted or opaque. Fill volume agreed when the packaging is selected.
- Minimum order quantity
- Agreed per order, depending on the formula direction and the chosen format.
- Testing
- Performed at a GLP / ISO 17025-accredited laboratory, with a certificate of analysis delivered with every lot.
- Documentation
- Product Information File (PIF) and notification dossier prepared by Butter-C, together with the supplier's dossier for the GFF blend.
- Packaging
- Label design, printing and packing run in parallel with formula development.
Suggested product concept
A moisturizing Galactomyces essence for normal and dry skin
One product concept to help you picture the result; not a ready-made product for sale. The actual formula is built around your brand's positioning and price range.
GFF as the featured ingredient
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate blend in water, butylene glycol, ethyl hexanediol and 1,2-hexanediol; level per TDS, fixed after color, odor and stability testing.
Humectant group
Glycerin, betaine, panthenol and sodium hyaluronate; the basis for the moisturizing claim.
Fragrance-free, alcohol-free
pH fixed on the sample and measured on every finished lot; preservative system that has passed the ISO 11930 challenge test.
Frosted glass bottle with screw cap
The label lists every INCI of the blend; the fermentation story is told accurately as the origin of the ingredient's use.
Customization options
What you can specify
The same product type can serve very different customers. Tell us your requirements in the areas below and our pharmacists will build the matching formula.
Ferment blend level
A moderate level for a daily essence, or higher as a selling point; affects color, odor, total glycols and cost.
Skin feel
Water-light or lightly thickened; fast-absorbing or leaving a moist layer.
Supporting actives
Niacinamide, panthenol, centella extract, chosen together with the pH range and confirmed by stability testing.
A fermented line
Paired with the Lactobacillus ferment essence or the fermented rice bran toner; each ingredient has its own INCI and its own level of evidence.
Fragrance and color
Fragrance-free or lightly scented; the natural color of the blend is kept.
Ingredient direction
Alcohol-free, fragrance-free, vegan: please state these at the outset so suitable raw materials can be selected.
Further reading
Related topics
Galactomyces ferment filtrate in cosmetics
What GFF is, its laboratory mechanisms and the level of human evidence (in Vietnamese).
Soothing essence manufacturing
A minimalist essence for sensitive skin, built around centella and PCA salts.
Fermented rice bran toner manufacturing
Another fermented ingredient (Saccharomyces/Rice Bran Ferment) in a toner format.
Lactobacillus ferment filtrate in cosmetics
Ferment, ferment filtrate and lysate compared, and why a filtrate is not a live probiotic (in Vietnamese).
Niacinamide in cosmetics
Human data at 2–5% for more even-looking skin tone (in Vietnamese).
How we work
From idea to finished batch
Eight steps and three milestones signed off by both sides: approved sample, notification number, finished batch. Step-by-step details (in Vietnamese) →
Get started
Tell us about the product you plan to launch
Send us your product direction and expected volume. Our team will get back to you during business hours (Vietnam time, GMT+7).
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