Fermentation and Natural Cosmetics Workshop on Lake Comabbio

A workshop to experience, not just listen to

Fermenting, making a cosmetic product, bottling it, tasting it, observing its transformation and learning how to read a label. This day is designed to let you experience all of this first-hand, with your hands at work and your curiosity fully engaged.

At Oasi Gaia, on Lake Comabbio, we created a hands-on workshop combining several different experiences: natural fermentation, natural and homemade cosmetics, and a more mindful approach to purchasing and using everyday products.

No previous experience is required. We begin with the basics and build each activity step by step, alternating explanations, practical demonstrations, preparation and discussion. It is an open experience for everyone, including anyone who has never made a fermented drink or cosmetic product at home.

Water kefir, kombucha and the world of fermentation

The first part of the day is dedicated to fermentation. We work with water kefir, milk kefir, yoghurt and kombucha, learning about the living microorganisms involved, the conditions required for fermentation and the methods used to continue the process at home.

We observe the ingredients, preparation stages and changes that take place over time. The aim is not simply to follow a recipe, but to understand what happens inside the jar and learn how to recognise the signs of healthy fermentation.

Alongside the practical activities, there will be time for questions, comparisons and tastings. Each participant will be able to explore these processes directly and gain useful knowledge for experimenting independently, safely and with greater awareness.

An afternoon in the natural cosmetics workshop

After fermentation, the workshop moves into the world of natural cosmetics. Here too, we do more than watch a demonstration: we prepare products together, working directly with ingredients and learning how they are combined.

We make a body scrub, face cream, cleanser, facial toner and mask. We start by examining the ingredients and their characteristics, then move on to the actual preparation. Each participant can see how a cosmetic product is created and understand the role played by its different components.

The products made during the workshop can be taken home, extending the experience beyond the day itself and into everyday life.

Learning to read labels changes the way we choose

Part of the workshop is devoted to reading cosmetic labels. Knowing terms such as natural, organic, green or chemical-free is not enough: we need to learn what is really inside a product and how that information is presented.

Together, we examine ingredients and packaging information, developing practical tools for comparing products and making more informed choices. The purpose is not to promote rigid rules, but to encourage a more attentive and independent approach to what we buy and use.

A shared experience surrounded by nature

The workshop takes place at Oasi Gaia, a green space close to Lake Comabbio where learning, experimentation and social interaction come together. The relaxed setting allows us to work without rushing, exchange ideas and enjoy a day shaped by discovery.

It is an opportunity to learn practical skills, ask questions and rediscover the value of making something with your own hands. You will leave with the products you have prepared, new knowledge and plenty of inspiration to continue experimenting at home.