Versus

COSRX Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence Versus Secret Key Starting Treatment Essence - Rose Edition

Essence
Essence
Korean Brand South Korea
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on July 29, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe essences. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate (GFF) is a yeast traditionally used to make the Japanese alcoholic beverage, sake.

GFF has moisturizing and antioxidant properties.

Studies show GFF improves our skin's natural moisturizing factors (NMF). Our NMF consists of many components that naturally moisturize our skin. Having healthy NMF keeps our skin plump, protected, and hydrated.

This ingredient tells our skin to create more filaggrin, an important component for NMF.

Filaggrin gathers all the structural proteins in our outer layer of skin and creates a tight barrier, helping to protect our skin against allergens and bacteria. This also helps prevent moisture loss.

Thanks to its antioxidant properties, GFF also protects our skin against oxidative stress and UV induced inflammation.

One study found GFF helped regulate sebum (oil) production and keratin in participants.

GFF may not be fungal-acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.

Many components of sake, such as GFF, are studied for their anti-aging benefits today. This is because sake brewers are known to have youthful hands.

Learn more about Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse. 

It is a:

  • Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
  • Emollient, helping to soften skin
  • Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
  • Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives 
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.
  • It has mild preservative properties.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Skin Conditioning

Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.

Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.

Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.

In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.

Learn more about Adenosine

When to use

664 Routines
49% use in am
51% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
23 Routines
52% use in am
48% use in pm
100% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

COSRX Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence 12 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 12 ratings
Great Value (4) No Scent (4) Hydrating (4)
Calyxna's avatar

Yuna Xyvene

10 months ago
Review

The best essence that I've ever had! Other than that, this makes my textured (bumps) forehead become less and smooth.

Update! After a month of using this, this product actually dried my skin out, it's giving me the painful acne, and breakouts weekly. It is not worth it, I don't see any progress at all, not worth it.

Update! It was my mistake for using the Neutrogena Gel Cleanser, and also Show more

#great value
#sticky
#no scent
#doesn't work
252's avatar

Emma Miller

9 months ago
Review

This is just glorious. I use it on my daily routine, am and pm after washing and toning, on my face and neck. Very hydrating and makes quite the difference in how the rest of my serums soak into my skin. I have never had any issues with makeup over it so far, no pilling no matter what I use after. It has made my skin glow and simply look lovely. One product I never want to be without. I would Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well

Secret Key Starting Treatment Essence - Rose Edition 17 ingredients

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