A Dupe For SK-II Facial Treatment Essence – Beautiful With Brains

Phrase on the road is that Missha Time Revolution The First Essence 5X is a dupe for SK-II Facial Remedy Essence. However earlier than we go there, what the heck are essences and do you want one? They appear to have popped up out of nowhere, however apparently, the Koreans have been utilizing them for many years. Essences are just like serums, however they’re extra light-weight and hydrating.

Hydration is the important thing phrase right here. The primary job of an essence is so as to add an additional layer of hydration. The Koreans are obsessive about hydration, as a result of they comprehend it’s what makes their pores and skin glow, retains it comfortable and supple, and even helps the opposite skincare merchandise they apply subsequent higher penetrate their pores and skin.

I wouldn’t say they’re a should, however, if you happen to needed so as to add one to your skincare routine, which of the 2 must you select? Is the outrageously costly SK-II actually the most effective wager or can Missha give it a very good run for its cash? Right here’s how they examine:

What Elements Do These Essences Have In Frequent?

YEAST TO STRENGTHEN THE SKIN’S PROTECTIVE BARRIER

Let’s clear up some confusion first. You probably have a bottle of SK-II Facial Remedy Essence, the primary ingredient could also be named Saccharomicopsis Ferment Filtrate. That’s what SK-II thought Pitera was. Because it seems, Pitera really belongs to the Galactomyces household, therefore the brand new title on the newer bottles.

So, what does Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate (Pitera) do in skincare? Good query. There’s some analysis that claims this yeast can improve skin’s barrier function (important to maintain moisture in) and assist pores and skin keep hydrated. One research additionally claims it has antioxidant and brightening properties that may stop wrinkles and cut back darkish spots.

The issue? Analysis on galactomyces is basically scant, so we actually want extra proof earlier than hailing it as a giant skincare breakthrough. It seems promising, although, so utilizing it wouldn’t actually do any hurt.

Missha Time Revolution First Treatment Essence makes use of two several types of yeast: Yeast Ferment Extract and Bifida Ferment Lysate (it helps regulate the bacterial flora in your GI tract). Bifida Ferment Lysate is my fave of the 2. Analysis reveals it’s a multitasker that soothes irritation, reduces redness, and will increase “skin resistance against physical and chemical aggression“. That makes it a very good choice for delicate pores and skin that wants the additional TLC.

Associated: What’s The Deal With Probiotics In Skincare – Do They Really Work?

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What Else Is In These Essences?

MISSHA TIME REVOLUTION THE FIRST ESSENCE 5X INGREDIENTS

• 1,2-Hexanediol: A multitasker used as a mild preservative and moisture-binding humectant. Retains formulation secure and pores and skin comfortable.
• Niacinamide: The overachiever. Brightens pores and skin, reduces redness, strengthens the barrier, regulates oil, and helps with high quality strains. There’s stable analysis backing each a type of claims.
• Diethoxyethyl Succinate: A more recent, gentler various to retinoids. Early research recommend it might assist with cell turnover and anti-aging with out the standard irritation.
• Sodium PCA: Naturally present in your pores and skin, this can be a humectant that pulls in moisture like a sponge. Retains your pores and skin bouncy and hydrated.
• Water: Sounds primary, but it surely’s the bottom of most skincare merchandise – helps dissolve different components and retains the formulation light-weight and spreadable.
• Butylene Glycol: One other humectant that hydrates the pores and skin and helps different components soak up higher. Additionally stops merchandise from feeling sticky.
• Ethylhexylglycerin: A skin-conditioning agent with gentle preservative properties. Retains issues contemporary whereas giving your pores and skin a silky really feel.
• Adenosine: A soothing, anti-aging molecule that helps clean out high quality strains and increase pores and skin restore. It’s naturally present in your physique, so your pores and skin is aware of use it.
• Ceramide NP: One of many important lipids your pores and skin barrier wants to remain wholesome. Restores moisture, repairs injury, and protects towards irritation.
• Hydrogenated Lecithin: Helps lock in moisture and ship energetic components deeper into the pores and skin. Additionally helps barrier restore and makes textures really feel smoother.

SK-II FACIAL TREATMENT ESSENCE

• Butylene Glycol: A humectant that attracts moisture into the pores and skin and helps different components soak up higher. It additionally provides merchandise a smoother texture with out making them greasy.
• Pentylene Glycol: One other hydrating multitasker. It moisturizes the pores and skin and works as a gentle preservative to maintain the formulation contemporary and bacteria-free.
• Water: The common solvent in skincare. It’s the bottom that helps dissolve different components and makes the product simple to use.
• Sodium Benzoate: A preservative that stops micro organism and fungi from rising in your skincare. Retains your product protected and shelf-stable.
• Methylparaben: One other preservative, with an extended security observe document. It’s efficient at stopping mould and microbial development, particularly in water-based merchandise.
• Sorbic Acid: A delicate preservative that targets mould and yeast. Typically utilized in combo with different preservatives to present broad-spectrum safety.

Which Method Is Higher?

SK-II Facial Remedy Essence is fairly primary. They’re actually charging you $99.00 for some yeast… Sure, it soothes pores and skin and… do you actually wish to pay that a lot only for that?

Misha Time Revolution First Time Essence is means cheaper and has yet one more ingredient that goes the additional mile: niacinamide. It’s a multi-tasker that does something from hydrating your pores and skin to soothing irritations and even brightening pores and skin.

Superior, proper? Missha lists it in fourth place on the ingredient listing, whereas SK-II doesn’t use it in any respect. This alone makes Missha the clear winner of the 2.

Associated: How Niacianamide Can Treat Any Skincare Woe

What’s The Texture Like?

Each of those really feel like… fancy water. Critically. They’re tremendous skinny, runny, and soak up like nothing. SK-II may really feel barely silkier happening, prefer it’s obtained a bit extra physique to it – however we’re splitting hairs right here. You splash it on, it disappears in seconds, and also you’re left questioning if you happen to even utilized something (till your pores and skin begins wanting higher, that’s).

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What’s The Perfume Like?

SK-II smells… bizarre. Like, fermented rice bizarre. For those who’ve by no means sniffed Pitera earlier than, it would catch you off guard – kinda bitter, kinda earthy, positively not perfumey. However you get used to it.

Missha? Far more delicate. It nonetheless has that slight fermented scent if you happen to stick your nostril in it, but it surely’s means toned down in comparison with SK-II. Principally, if you happen to’re delicate to smells, Missha wins.

What’s The Packaging Like?

SK-II is all about that minimal, luxurious vibe – heavy frosted glass bottle, silver cap, seems prefer it belongs in a spa or your “I simply obtained promoted” shelfie.

Missha’s no slouch both. It’s additionally in glass, however the design feels a bit extra stylish and fewer severe. Each look good in your vainness, however SK-II positively leans extra luxe, whereas Missha’s giving “cool lady who is aware of her Okay-beauty.”

How To Use Them

These are each first essences, which principally means they go on proper after cleaning and in the beginning else (sure, even toner if you happen to use one – they’re the actual “first” step in your routine).
Simply pour a number of drops into your hand (don’t waste it on a cotton pad until you’re keen on losing product), press it into your pores and skin, and provides it a sec to sink in. That’s it. No 10-minute wait time, no fancy approach. Use it morning and evening if you happen to’re feeling further, or as soon as a day if you happen to’re chill.

Bonus tip: They layer very well, so in case your pores and skin’s feeling thirsty, you may go in with a second layer. Or third. Go wild.

Which Of The Two Ought to You Go For?

Alright, right here’s the trustworthy breakdown:

• For those who’re into luxurious skincare, love that high-end expertise, don’t thoughts a powerful fermented scent, and also you’ve obtained the price range to deal with your self, SK-II is the one. It’s a basic. Folks have been raving about it for years, and for some, it actually delivers.
• However if you happen to’re extra like, “I need outcomes with out the posh price ticket,” Missha has your again. It’s obtained related fermented goodness, feels nice on the pores and skin, and offers you that healthy-skin glow – for means much less cash.

Availability

SK-II Facial Remedy Essence ($99.00-$299.00, relying on dimension): Out there at Sephora, SK-II, Stylevana, and Yes Style

Missha Time Revolution The First Essence 5X ($27.06): Out there at Sokoglam, Stylevana, and Yes Style

Is Missha Time Revolution First Remedy Essence A Dupe For SK-II Facial Remedy Essence?

Nope. They include completely different components, so that you couldn’t name them actual dupes. However if you happen to’re searching for an essence with probiotics, Missha Time Revolution The First Essence 5X is the winner.

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