Secret Key Starting Treatment Essence Versus COSRX Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence
Updated on July 29, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe essences. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, 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
Secret Key Starting Treatment Essence 35 ingredients
COSRX Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence 12 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Secret Key Starting Treatment Essence 35 ingredients
COSRX Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence 12 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Arbutin
Antioxidant
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Acanthopanax Senticosus Extract
Skin ConditioningPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Water
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningZanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Cordyceps Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Morus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Annua Extract
MaskingOryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientAsiaticoside
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Chitin
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Arbutin, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Phenoxyethanol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Acanthopanax Senticosus Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Adenosine, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Disodium EDTA, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Artemisia Annua Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Caprylyl Glycol, Asiaticoside, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Chitin, Hyaluronic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinButylene 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.
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 Filtrate1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
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 preservativesÂ
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 AdenosineIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Secret Key Starting Treatment Essence 35 ingredients
COSRX Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence 12 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Secret Key Starting Treatment Essence 35 ingredients
COSRX Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence 12 ingredients
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
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
