Starting Care Galactomyces Essence Toner, Hydration & Glow (5.24 fl oz)

I love this product. Helps prepare skin for serums and other products. Not greasy. Shrinks pores as well!

This is one of my favorite second step in my a.m. and p.m. winter routine. I have tried many $-$$$$ toners and this is one is the best. I always thought of a toner as a stripping agent or an exfoliant but as I have gotten older realized that it's better to keep your skin barrier protected instead of stripped. This is extremely helpful to help keep the skin prepared to be moisturized and protected particularly in the dry months of winter. I have less negative reactions from retinoids since using as part of my routine. It layers perfectly with other serums. Won't live without.

Love this essence. Skin drinks it up, and it leaves the skin softer and brighter. People say this is a dupe for SKII. The formulation is top notch, and the price point is great. Try it and see a difference in your skin.

Enjoyed this maybe made a difference idk

Before, I never really bothered using essences until I was given a small sample of Nature Republic's First Treatment Essence. I love the results after using it for 5 days straight, so I decided it was time for me to get my very first bottle. I wanted to purchase Nature Republic's essence, but the price was too shocking. Not only that, but other popular essences like Hera, SKII, and Missha essences are over the top. Other brands like Etude House and Tony Moly's essences are still expensive for me to purchase, so when I stumbled upon Secret Key... I have to admit that I was a little skeptical about it. I've never heard of this brand before and the pricing for this essence screamed cheap, yet affordable. I kept this product on my wishlist for over a month constantly debating if I should purchase it or not. Eventually, I gave in and bought myself my very first essence. The packaging was really nice to be honest. The glass bottle made it feel like I've spent a lot on this essence too even though the price is really affordable. Like every essence, it's watery but getting the product out is easily controllable. Just be very careful to not slip the bottle out from your hand because it is quite heavy. Unlike the Nature Republic essence, it has a weird smell.. Kinda like nail polish alcohol. It's not very strong tho, but noticeable. On the other hand, Secret Key essence doesn't leave a sticky residue like Nature Republic's essence. Since it's super watery, it absorbs very well on skin and also hydrating. For added moisture and anti aging protection, I use my Olay Regernist Serum, Nature Republic Aloe Vera Gel, and Eurcine Sunscreen. I've been using this essence for a week and I can already see a difference. Not only does it provide anti aging properties, but also whitening properties. Last week, I was breaking out so badly due to raging hormones and I had a lot of scarring from previous break outs. Using this essence not only calmed my skin, but my scars are slowly fading too! My skin also feels softer and more vibrant too. I am considering repurchasing this essence. :)

I ordered this after a youtube dermatologist recommended it as a dupe for skII...I like it well enough because the ingredients are good but it leaves quite a residue..its supposed to improve your skin's barrier but it literally dries into a barrier itself if that makes sense so I feel like if I want to use any other skin care products I should use them before this one which feels off because this stuff is so thin, I want to use it first and the thicker serums and creams after but if you do that it REALLY makes a big thick barrier that feels like a mask

Finished My First Bottle After 3 Months—Already Repurchasing ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I’m 45 with normal-to-dry, sensitive skin, and this essence has been a standout in my routine. ✨ Hydrating – keeps skin plump, calm, and glowing—no noticeable scent ✨ Lightweight – layers well with other products, never sticky and doesn’t pill or interact with any other products ✨ Gentle – no irritation or issues whatsoever ✨ Long-lasting – one bottle lasted me close to 3 months ✨ Great value – high quality for the price I just finished my first bottle and I’m already repurchasing. This will stay in my routine.

This is a very liquid, watery treatment essence. I wasn't sure it was doing anything after one bottle but when I stopped using it, I noticed that my very dry skin got even dryer. I immediately purchased another bottle and also a back-up. There is no scent. It comes in a heavy glass bottle with a rubber stopper in the actual hole so no chance of leaking in transit. I keep the stopper in to help preserve freshness. The bottle lasts me about three months of twice daily usage.

Been using for 3.5 months now and have been really enjoying it. I use generously (sometimes 2 or 3 layers) and I think this bottled will last ~4 months. Will repurchase for sure. I use both tretinoin and azelaic acid on a consistent basis, and have found that this is key in soothing irritation and giving me that "lit from within" glow. It helps to makes the skin feel supple and smooth, especially during these dry winter months. By itself, the results probably wouldn't be that drastic, but alongside a few power actives, this has been a great addition for me. Experienced no irritation, and the price point is very reasonable.

A Youtuber named Stephanie Nicole recommended this as an alternative to the Sk-ii essence. I actually preferred the ingredients list on the Secret Key essence and the price was a out 1/10th of the other. I have mature, dry, sensitive, reactive skin prone to dermatitis and eczema. I dispense 3 shots onto the palm of my hand, and pat it all over my face, including eyes and chin. It absorbs fairly quickly, and then I dispense 2 shots and do the same. I use this immediately after cleansing at night, and as a first step in the morning. This soothes my skin, is very hydrating, locks in the water from cleansing, prevents transepidermal water loss and allows for the rest of my skin care to penetrate more deeply. It's made a huge difference on my skin. My texture is fading, my redness has faded dramatically and it's gentle enough to use even when I have a flare up of eczema. I also made a rescue toner using the items in my photo (except for the witch hazel). I received mine Dec 4 and just ran out today, so it will last AT LEAST 4 months using a double dose twice daily. I was going to try to use up my sk-ii sample, but can't imagine being without this, so I reordered. There's nothing in this that will irritate your skin, and I highly recommend it. UPDATE April 2019: I received my 2nd bottle in perfect condition. It's a beautiful glass bottle and I love the dispenser. I've since tried a sample of the Sk-ll essence for 10 days, and I prefer Secret Key. It's just more hydrating and something I could never do without. I dispensed some into my first empty bottle and added some Matcha green tea powder for an extra boost!

It's been a couple months I use it (around 4 months) almost every day and night and it is still more than half full. This product is really nice! Never got any reaction even if my skin can be sensitive from time to time. I can't clearly explain what it does for my skin, but I know that my skin likes it! I use it as my first step after cleansing in the morning and I use it after my acids at night to normalize the ph of my skin for the following steps of my skincare pm routine. I will definitely buy it when I run out. The only thing I wish is that it has a spray instead of just a hole at the top. It would be much better that way.

It's a great product

I used sk2 essence for a few years a couple of years ago so my memory of it isn't the greatest but this product definitely gives me a similar feeling and result. For the price I can't turn it down. Even if the results aren't as drastic as sk2 for 1/18th of the price I can live with it. Looking back the $200+ price tag of the sk2 is outrageous, JUST BUY THIS!!! For the price you don't need to use it sparingly.