Why chaga mushroom is the fermentation ingredient K-beauty labs are quietly obsessed with

What chaga mushroom brings to a skincare formula

Chaga is a hard, charcoal-like fungus that grows on birch trees in cold climates and has been used in traditional medicine across Korea, Russia and China for its antioxidant content. In cosmetic formulas it is prized for polysaccharides and melanin-like pigments that are believed to support the skin barrier and calm visible irritation, which is why it tends to show up in gentle, low-pH cleansers rather than aggressive treatment products. Unlike trendier actives with a single well-studied mechanism, chaga's benefit in skincare is closer to a supportive, barrier-friendly ingredient than a dramatic active.

The low pH cleanser built around it: 107 Chaga Jelly Low pH Cleanser

The 107 Chaga Jelly Low pH Cleanser sits in the 4.0–5.0 range, which matches the skin's natural acid mantle far more closely than a standard foaming cleanser (often pH 7 or above). Alongside chaga extract, it includes aged vinegar and chamomile, and a small amount of green tea leaf powder for mild physical exfoliation during cleansing. The bouncy jelly texture creates a light lather rather than a dense foam, which is a deliberate choice: less foam generally means fewer surfactants stripping the skin of lipids during the cleanse.

Why fermentation-adjacent ingredients pair naturally with probiotic creams

The 107 Everyday Plump Hydro Cream complements the cleanser with a different fermentation angle: three strains of lactobacillus alongside fermented moroheiya leaf. Probiotics and postbiotics in this context are not there to repopulate the skin's microbiome in a literal sense — most are not live cultures by the time they reach a finished formula — but their fermentation byproducts are associated with improved moisture retention and a smoother skin surface. Combined with squalane and sunflower seed oil, the cream reads as lightweight on application but leaves a noticeably plumped, dewy finish.

Building a two-step routine around a single indie brand

Using a cleanser and moisturiser from the same line is not just a convenience choice — formulas designed together are more likely to share a philosophy around pH, texture weight and finishing feel, which reduces the trial and error of mixing brands with different formulation logic. For anyone curious about fermentation-based K-beauty without committing to a full multi-step routine, pairing the 107 cleanser with the 107 cream is a reasonable two-product entry point that still delivers a barrier-conscious cleanse and a probiotic-support finish.

Where chaga fits among other trending fermented actives

Chaga joins a growing list of fermentation-adjacent K-beauty ingredients — galactomyces, rice ferment, birch sap — that share a common thread: they are generally well tolerated, rarely cause the kind of irritation associated with high-strength actives like retinol or strong acids, and work best as part of a consistent routine rather than a quick fix. If a new ingredient trend is going to earn a place in a routine, gentleness and consistency of use matter more than novelty, and chaga's track record so far fits that pattern.