Versus

Secret Key Starting Treatment Essence - Rose Edition Versus Neogen Real Ferment Micro Essence

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 6 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

What's Inside

They both contain oils

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

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Real Ferment Micro Essence

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
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 

Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil comes from hydrogenated castor oil. It is a solubilizer and emulsifier.

As a solubilizer, it helps dissolve ingredients into a water-based version. It is also an emulsifer. Emulsifier help prevent oils and water from separating. Both these properties help create evenly-spread and uniform products.

Basically, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil helps hold ingredients together.

Learn more about PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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

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

Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.

Learn more about Butylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

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

25 Routines
52% use in am
48% use in pm
100% use every day
188 Routines
52% use in am
48% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Secret Key Starting Treatment Essence - Rose Edition 17 ingredients

Starting Treatment Essence - Rose Edition hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Neogen Real Ferment Micro Essence 49 ingredients

3.3 /5
from 3 ratings
Light (2) Broke Me Out (1) Great Value (1)
quietlibrary's avatar

quietlibrary

10 months ago
Review

I dont have fungal acne, but this stuff cleared up my hormonal acne and made my skin look bouncy and healthy. Still have residual scars but my skin is no longer oily and itchy.

#great value
#light
#absorbs well
#no scent
miuffys's avatar

miuffys

10 months ago
Review

bought it on sale initially and absolutely loved the glass bottle and amount you get (150ml). def helped repair my damaged skin barrier and was quite hydrating, although i did realize i had fungal acne due to my skin's reaction to the multitude of fermented ingredients.

#hydrating
#broke me out
#light