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Concept

This project explores kombucha-based fermentation as a living biofabrication system for developing skin-contact and cosmetic materials.

Rather than focusing on a finished product, the project investigates how materials grown through fermentation can become biologically compatible, skin-supportive systems.

It shifts the use of SCOBY beyond textile applications toward new formats such as cosmetic powders, patches, masks, and film-based materials.

Research Context

This work sits at the intersection of:

  • fermentation-based biofabrication
  • natural pigments
  • cosmetic material systems
  • skin-contact applications

While SCOBY and fermentation-derived materials have been explored in textiles and wearables, their potential in cosmetic and skin-contact applications remains largely underexplored.

Background & Motivation

This research builds on previous work developed through a probiotic food brand, where I experimented with coffee kombucha–based skin-care materials.

A freeze-dried peeling created from fermented coffee residues showed promising results but lacked structured documentation.

This project transforms that intuitive practice into a systematic, experimental, and openly documented research process.

Research Question

Can materials that come into contact with our skin be grown through living processes, and become more compatible with our biological systems?

Why / What / Who

Why
To rethink cosmetic materials as living, biologically compatible systems rather than industrial products.

What
An experimental research project exploring kombucha-based fermentation for skin-contact material development.

Who
Designers, biomaterial researchers, and individuals interested in natural, skin-compatible cosmetic materials.