Zymogen
ZYMOGEN builds its Korean skincare around fermentation. Across the lineup you'll find fermented serums, toners, lotions, creams and mask sheets, many anchored by Centella and Natto ferment. We stock 17+ ZYMOGEN products, from the 105ml Fermented Serum to the Dr. Kay Natto Cream, shipped from Korea.
By Skinsli editorial Updated
Buying guide
ZYMOGEN fermented skincare: a buying guide
ZYMOGEN is a Korean skincare brand built on fermentation. Where many brands treat a ferment as one ingredient among many, ZYMOGEN runs it through most of the range: serums, toners, lotions, creams and sheet masks. Below is what we stock, how the formats differ and where each one sits in a daily routine.
What ZYMOGEN is about
ZYMOGEN centres its formulas on fermented actives. Fermentation breaks larger molecules into smaller ones, which is the brand's pitch for absorption and a gentler feel on the skin. The current grid leans heavily on this idea: look at the names and you see Fermented Serum, Nourishing Fermented Toner, Erseong Candle Fermented Lotion and a Fermentation Mask Sheet. The throughline across the catalogue is the ferment, not a single hero product.
The serums
Serums are where the range goes deepest. We stock the 105ml Fermented Serum, the Centella Fermented Serum and the Obeja Serum 105ml, plus the Dr. White Step 1 as a first treatment step. The 105ml sizing is generous for a serum, so a bottle lasts. Pick the Centella version if your skin runs reactive and you want a calming angle; reach for the plain Fermented Serum as an everyday treatment layer.
Creams and lotions
For the richer end of the routine, the grid carries the Dr. Kay Natto Cream 50ml, the 50g Centella Fermented Cream, the Dr. K Natto Lotion 105ml and the Erseong Candle Fermented Lotion. Lotions here are lighter and pourable for layering, while the creams are the heavier occlusive step that seals everything in. Natto ferment, derived from fermented soybeans, shows up across the moisturiser tier.
The toner step
The 1 Nourishing Fermented Toner 105ml is the prep step. A Korean-style fermented toner is less about stripping and more about adding a first thin layer of hydration that the serums and creams build on. Pat it in with hands rather than a cotton pad to keep more of the product on the skin, then move straight to your serum while the skin is still damp.
Sheet masks
The Erseong Candle Fermentation Mask Sheet is the treat-day option. A single sheet delivers a concentrated dose of the fermented essence in fifteen to twenty minutes, which makes it a useful top-up when skin feels tired or dehydrated rather than a daily step. Press the leftover essence into the skin afterwards instead of rinsing.
Centella versus Natto lines
Two ingredient stories run through the catalogue. The Centella products (Centella Fermented Serum, 50g Centella Fermented Cream) lean toward soothing and supporting a stressed barrier, so they suit redness-prone or sensitive skin. The Natto line (Dr. Kay Natto Cream, Dr. K Natto Lotion) leans toward nourishment and a fuller moisturiser feel. If you're unsure, match the line to your main concern rather than buying across both at once.
Building a ZYMOGEN routine
Because the range covers every layer, you can run a full routine from one brand. The order is toner, then serum, then lotion, then cream, with the mask sheet slotted in once or twice a week before your serum. You don't need all of it: a toner, one serum and one moisturiser is a complete set. Add the mask and a second serum later if you want to expand.
Sizes and value
Sizing tells you how each product is meant to be used. The 105ml serums, toner and lotion are everyday workhorses sized to last, while the 50ml and 50g creams are concentrated and used more sparingly. If you're trying the brand for the first time, a single serum is the lowest-commitment way in; once you know it works for your skin, the larger formats are the better per-use value.
Authenticity and shipping
Every ZYMOGEN product here is sourced from Korea and shipped to you directly. Buying Korean skincare from a dedicated importer means the batch and formulation match what the brand sells at home, which matters for fermented products where freshness affects how the actives perform. Store opened bottles away from heat and direct light to keep the ferment stable through the life of the product.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What makes ZYMOGEN different from other Korean skincare brands?
ZYMOGEN builds nearly its whole range around fermentation. Rather than one fermented hero product, the catalogue runs ferment through serums, the Nourishing Fermented Toner, the Erseong Candle Fermented Lotion and a Fermentation Mask Sheet. The shared idea across the lineup is the fermented active.
Should I start with the Fermented Serum or the Centella Fermented Serum?
Both come in a generous 105ml size. Pick the Centella Fermented Serum if your skin runs reactive or red and you want a calming angle, since Centella is the soothing ingredient story in the range. Choose the plain 105ml Fermented Serum if you want a straightforward everyday treatment layer without targeting sensitivity.
What is the Natto ingredient in the Dr. Kay Natto Cream and Dr. K Natto Lotion?
Natto is a ferment derived from fermented soybeans, and it anchors ZYMOGEN's moisturiser tier. The Dr. Kay Natto Cream 50ml is the richer occlusive step, while the Dr. K Natto Lotion 105ml is a lighter, pourable layer. The Natto line leans toward nourishment and a fuller moisturiser feel.
In what order do I layer the ZYMOGEN toner, serum, lotion and cream?
Go toner, then serum, then lotion, then cream. Start with the 1 Nourishing Fermented Toner patted in by hand, follow with a serum like the 105ml Fermented Serum, then the Erseong Candle Fermented Lotion, and seal with a cream such as the 50g Centella Fermented Cream. Add the mask sheet once or twice a week before your serum.
Are these ZYMOGEN products authentic and shipped from Korea?
Yes. Every ZYMOGEN product we stock is sourced in Korea and shipped to you directly, so the batch and formulation match what the brand sells domestically. That matters for fermented products, where freshness affects how the actives perform over the life of the bottle.