Secret Key Snail+EGF Repairing Essence

I am in love with Secret Key's Snail products. Prestige Snail+EGF Ampoule was good, but the least efficient from all the series, so when I ran out of it I decided to replace it with the essence.

 Product description: Snail Slime Extract together with EGF (Cell Regeneration Factor) act as a skin stain remover, healing and repairing wounds and scars, it also boots your skin's ability to stay hydrated and bright.

Ingredients:

• Snail Secretion Filtrate - protects skin from infection, reduces inflammation, effective in treating acne and scarring, anti-wrinkle
• Human Oilgo Peptide-1 (EGF) - known as a "beauty factor" - eliminating scars and speckles by improving the texture and condition of the skin, anti-wrinkle by rejuvenating skin by stimulating cell proliferation
• Macadamia Seed Oil - contains Palmitoleic acid that is vital for delaying skin and cell ageing, Oleic acid that has regeneration and moisturising properties, Linoleic acid that helps to prevent skin water loss and Plant phytosterols that are calming and healing
• Oryza sativa (rice) extract - increases synthesis of collagen, also provides both short- and long-term hydration to the skin.

Oryza sativa (rice) extractSnow fungus (Tremella Fuciformis) Extract - has anti-aging properties due to allowing the skin to retain more water and helps prevent senile degeneration (the breaking down over time) of micro blood vessels within the skin and keep blood flowing through the skin optimally.

From all the series this product has the most snaily structure. It's gooey and during the application it tends to stretch what is a little annoying, as I like to apply products by first dotting them on the face and then massaging in - this essence creates "strings" between the dots, so it's easy to accidentally apply it in some silly place like eyebrow :P but the good side of this essence is that it doesn't feel sticky on the skin as it absorbs very quickly. It leaves skin slightly moisturised and smooth and it's very lightweight - perfect for oily skin. It has very subtle smell, some floral notes similar to the ones in Snail+EGF Repairing Gel Cream. Product is quite efficient - one pump is enough to cover entire face.

Price: around £6 on e-Bay.

Pros:
+ lightweight
+ fast absorbing
+ affordable
+ a little goes a long way

Cons:
- gooey texture

Overall I am quite pleased with this product, I like how light and quickly absorbing it is. I use it twice a day, AM under the snail gel, PM under the Prestige snail cream.

Missha Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence

I was looking at this type of product from a while now and finally ordered some samples. And honestly, this is my discovery of the year. I am not sure if I will be able to fully describe how much I love this product xD

Product description: Back to the Basics, a Stepping Stone to a Healthier and New Skin.
Contains 80% Fermented Yeast Concentrate, “FISSIONE", which absorbs into skin instantly to energize your skin. THE FIRST TREATMENT ESSENCE improves fine lines and skin tone. Miracle water “FISSIONE” hydrates, restores, rejuvenates, and gives you a glowing complexion.
How to use: After wash your face, at FIRST step to your skin care routine, use palm of your hand absorb gently and evenly onto your face.*
 * this is an original description form Missha US website. You will often find that description of Asian products are written in "funny English".

So, the story is, that people who were producing sake noticed that their hands, which had constant contact with yeast used for sake fermentation, are looking much younger and healthier than the rest of their bodies. And that's how the yeast extract became a cosmetic ingredient. The yeast in this particular essence is Saccharomyces, order Saccharomycetale, family Saccharomycetaceae. Other popular fungi used in cosmetics in Galactomyces, from the same order but different family (Dipodascaceae).

The whole ingredients list is pretty impressive. Saccharomyces is on the first place, then we have loads of other skin-loving ingredients like:

• Licorice extract - has anti-inflammatory properties and has ability to interrupt the stimulation of an enzyme that activates melanin production, so it's effective for improving dark spots and hyperpigmentation
• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) - offers multiple benefits for ageing skin- can improve skin's elasticity, enhance skin's barrier function, help erase discolourations, and revive skin's healthy tone and texture.
• Amaranth Oil - Has anti-inflammatory properties. Rich in Squalene, that has ability to lock in moisture and prevent water loss from skin. Contains Omega 3 and 6 which accelerate cell regeneration.
• Elm root extract - has anti-inflammatory and moisturising properties
• Kava Extract - Kava is a psychoactive plant, native for western Pacific cultures. Kava is consumed as a drink with with sedative and anaesthetic properties. Because of it's psychoactive properties kava-based products are banned or controlled in some European countries. In skin care products has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Betroot Extract - Beetroot's pigment, betalain is a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and fungicidal. Lycopene found in beetroot juice maintains the skin elasticity and protects the skin from sun damage.
• Centella Asiatica (also known as Gotu Kola) extract - an effective anti-photo ageing agent, mainly due to enhancement of collagen, which amount in skin decreases with age. Listed in Indian Ayurvedic medicine to combat excessively dry skin. Has anti-inflammatory properties, suitable for sensitive skin.
• Portulaca Oleracea Extract (also known as wild portulaca or pigweed) - has many benefits on skin: soothing effect, accelerating healing process, improving skin's elasticity. As a natural source of vitamins A, C and E and the co-enzyme Q10, is an excellent antioxidant, fighting premature ageing and protecting skin from environmental damage.
• Chamomile - well known for it's skin soothing properties
• Rosemary extract - has moisturising properties, supports healthy collagen development to fighting off skin-damaging free radicals.
• Phellodendron Amurense (Cork Tree) Bark Extract - traditionally used in Chinese medicine to treat different forms of inflammation and bone pain. Contains peptides with anti-oxidant properties and berberine with antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.
• Cassia Alata (Candle bush) leaf extract - has anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing properties. Used to treat various skin problems, including syphilis sores, psoriasis, herpes, chronic lichen planus, scabies, shingles, eczema, rash and itching.
• Adenosine - helps prevent wrinkles, reduces UVB sun damage, increases the production of elastin and collagen reducing skin sogginess and improving tone
• Hyaluronic Acid - is a powerful anti ageing ingredient in skin care. It is naturally occurring in the skin, but as we get older it's level decrease causing our skin to age and sag. It has ability to absorb water up to 1000 times its weight, what makes it one of the best moisturising substances known.

Full list of ingredients: Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Propanediol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Niacinamide, Polyquaternium-51, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Raffinose, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Glycerin, Beta Vulgaris (Beet) Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Centella Asiatica Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Tromethamine, Water, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Acetic Acid, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate
Ingredients analysis: [HERE] 

The idea of beautiful skin in Asia is a dewy, clear complexion, that glows from within. You can see what I am talking about on the picture above. Although this pic is for sure airbrushed this is what a perfect skin should look like and products like this one is supposed to give the skin that beautiful glow.

I had one sample randomly kicking about, a free gift to some e-Bay order. I decided to give it a go when I run out of toner. It lasted for two applications, would last longer but genius Ninja was not careful enough and spilled half of it =.= because I liked the form of product, but couldn't really tell much about how it works after just two uses, I ordered set of 10 samples (1ml each) from e-Bay.

The product has very runny consistency, just like water. So the sachet form of sample is very inconvenient - easy to spill.  Learnt from the experience of spilling the first sample, when I received my 10 samples I decanted them into empty bottle after toner, with spray applicator. Unfortunately I already used it all, so I can't show you a picture, sorry!

Product is almost non-scented. I mean, there is some scent to it, but it's very very subtle and hard to describe. Not bothering at all.
Product has "4 weeks" guarantee - it promises to turn your skin into "new skin" in 4 weeks time. My sampled lasted me for over a week and for the results I experienced - I totally believe in their promise. Every day, in the morning and in the evening I was dispensing three sprays onto my face and gently patting product into skin until absorbed. It takes maybe like 30 seconds to absorb. Using this product I experienced the whole new level of moisture - it leaves skin slightly sticky, but not disgusting, greasy glue like sticky, but well moisturised and supple kind of sticky. I don't know if you know what I'm talking abut, but trust me - it's very pleasant feeling. The product is almost weightless - I can feel that my skin is moisturised, but there is no residue to it. Any products applied after First Essence are still absorbing into skin well.
Because I used it only for week, I cannot tell much about wrinkle improvement - however me skin definitely feels different - it's well moisturised, and this feeling last whole day. Literally WHOLE DAY. Sometimes I can feel in the middle of the day that after layer of sebum there is dried and tense skin. Not with this product. Seriously, this is my moisturising holy grail. So the other name of the product: "miracle water" is very suitable. My skin is slightly brighter, radiant and very nice and soft in touch.

Price: the full 150ml bottle is available on e-Bay from £20. You can also grab 30ml sample bottle for £6 or set of 10 sample sachets (1ml) for £3.

Pros:
+ absorbs fully, no residue
+ well moisturises skin
+ leaves skin soft and radiant

Cons:
- the sample sachets are not very handy and it's easy to spill

I totally love love LOVE this product <3 I am sooooo buying this in the full size!

There is loads of similar yeast-based essences in Korean cosmetic market. The craze was started by posh Japanese brand SK-II. SK-II Facial Treatment essence was the first product called "miracle water", containing Galactomyces - they even patented their main ingredient and called it Pitera. Unfortunately the original SK-II essence is very expensive - the 150ml bottle costs over £70! 

SK-II has 7-day results promise.

Other well known SK-II dupe is made by Secret Key. Their Starting Treatment Essence also contains Galactomyces and can be bought for as little as £11 on e-Bay. There are good reviews about it on different blogs, so if you are on a budget I think this may be worth trying.

Skin Food Royal Honey Premium Kit Review

Hello honeys :)
Quite a massive review ahead! I was actually quite sure I already wrote about it, but I was trying to refer to it in another post and guess what, it's not there :] It can't wait any longer!

Premium Kit contains 4 pieces: Toner, Essence, Emulsion and Cream. I will review them in the order of use.

PS. If you wonder why this set has so many pieces, what is essence and emulsion etc. there is a post about cosmetics layering coming. I will link it here when it's done.

Royal Honey Toner

You can see full size product [HERE]

Product description: A treatment toner with royal black honey and royal jelly extracts that hydrates and transforms skin into a nice honey-glazed complexion.

The sample size is 20ml. Toner has slightly thicker consistency than average water-like toner, but it's still very runny (runny enough to make it very hard to make picture without wasting the product lol). It has very subtle smell, I could smell something honey-like in it, but my sensitive nose smells alcohol in it as well. It absorbs into skin quite well, but leaves skin a tiny little bit sticky. It cleans face, as sometimes I could see on a cotton pad some dirt left over after face foam.

Pros:
+ moisturise skin
+ cleansing
+ nice smell

Cons:
- slightly sticky
- contains alcohol (fortunately not as a top ingredient, like some toners do)

INGREDIENTS: WATER, HONEY EXTRACT, DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL, PEG/PPG-17/6, COPOLYMER, ALCOHOL, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, GLYCERING, GLYCERETH-26, ROYAL JELLY EXTRACT, GLYCERYL ACRYLATE/ACYRLIC ACID COPOLYMER, BETA-GLUCAN, BIOSACCHARIDE GUM-1, YEAST EXTRACT, BIS-PEG-18, METHYL ETHER DIMETHYLSILANE, PEG-60 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, HEXYLENE GLYCOL, PHENYL TRIMETHICONE, ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, TRIETHANOLAMINE, AMMONIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYLTAURATE/VP COPOLYMER, DISODIUM EDTA, SODIUM HYALURONATE, METHYLPARABEN, PHENOXYETHANOL, CI 19140, CI 15985, PARFUM
 Ingredient analisis: http://www.cosdna.com/eng/cosmetic_8e40135359.html

Royal Honey Hydro Essence

 You can see full size product [HERE]

Product description: A hydrating treatment essence with royal black honey and royal jelly extracts that replenishes moisture and transforms skin into a nice honey-glazed complexion.


This essence has consistency of very runny clear gel. It has very subtle, sweet smell. It absorbs into skin quickly and completely. Somehow it reduces stickiness of toner :) In general whole Royal Honey range is rather aimed at driers complexion types, but I think that this product can be easily used by every skin type. I have very oily skin and this essence moisturised it a little bit, without leaving heavy or oily feeling. BUT essences in general are very light and supposed to be absorbed completely, so if you are looking for short skincare routine, with only 1 or 2 moisturising products, this product may not be moisturising enough.

Pros:
+ quickly and fully absorbs
+ reduces stickiness left by toner

Cons:
- so light, that can't really be used on it's own, must be followed by other moisturiser (but this is typical for essences, so it's not really that much of a con)
- not very efficient - from whole set this run out first

Royal Honey Emulsion

 You can see full size product [HERE]

Product description: A treatment emulsion with royal black honey and royal jelly extracts that moisturises and transforms skin into a nice honey-glazed complexion. 

Essence has a consistency of very light cream, opaque colour. It has very synthetic smell, slightly sweet, but not so obviously honeyish like other products. A little goes a long way - when other products almost run out, I am hardly in the middle of the essence. But the packaging annoys me - it's hard plastic, so I can't really squeeze it, shaking doesn't really help as well, so I ended up picking it up from bottle with cotton bud. Hygienic, but annoying and time consuming, as I have to dip the bud at least twice to get the right amount of product. In full size version you may experience same problem, as it's glass bottle without any applicator. WHY? =.=

Pros:
+ nicely moisturise
+ lightweight
+ a little goes a long way

Cons:
- synthetic smell
- it's hard to get product out of bottle


INGREDIENTS: WATER, GLYCERIN, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, HONEY EXTRACT, MACADAMIA TERNIFOLIA SEED OIL, ROYAL JELLY EXTRACT, LANOLIN, GLYCERYL STEARATE CITRATE, BETA-GLUCAN, SORBITAN STEARATE, PEG/PPG/POLYBUTLENE GLYCOL 8/5/3, GLYCERIN, GLUCOSE, DIMETHICONE, CYCLOHEXASLOCHANE, DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, YEAST EXTRACT, OCTYLDODECYL LAUROYL GLUTAMATE, DIGLYCERIN, CARBOMER, BIOSACHARIDE GUM-1, POLYACRYLAMIDE, LAURETH-7, C13-14 ISOPARAFFIN, TRIETHANOLAMINE, SUCROSE COCOATE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, ALCOHOL, SODIUM HYALURONATE, HYDROGENATED LACITHIN, DISODIUM EDTA, GLYCEROPHOSPHOCHOLINE, SUCROSE LAURATE, SODIUM POLYACRYLATE, CREATINE, MANNITOL, LYSOLECITHIN, CERAMIDE 3, SODIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE, PHENOXYETHANOL, METHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN, CI 15985, CI 19140, PARFUM
Ingredients analysis: http://www.cosdna.com/eng/cosmetic_0ce1135371.html

Royal Honey Hydro Cream

You can see full size product [HERE]

Product description: A hydrating treatment cream with royal black honey and royal jelly extracts that replenishes moisture and transforms skin into a nice honey-glazed complexion.

This product is has rich, but rather gely than creamy consistency. It has nice and subtle honey-like scent. A little goes a long way - the amount shown on the picture was enough for the whole top of my palm. It moisturises very well, but is slightly sticky and leaves face shiny, so I was using it only at night time. Also it's quite "heavy duty" moisturiser, so I was using it only when I felt my face is quite dry, for a regular use it's to heave for my oily skin and could break me out.

Pros:
+ very nourishing and moisturising
+ a little goes a long way
+ lovely scent

Cons:
- slightly sticky
- leaves face shiny
- too rich for everyday use on my oily face (but this is fault of my face lol).

INGREDIENTS : WATER, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, HONEY EXTRACT, GLYCERIN, OCTYLDODECYL MYRISTATE, GLUCOSE, HYDROXYETHYL UREA, PHYTOSTERYL/BEHENYL/OCTYLDODECYL LAUROYL GLUTAMATE, ROYAL JELLY EXTRACT, BIS-PEG-18 METHYL ETHER DIMETHYL SILANE, DIMETHICONOL, ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, BETA-GLUCAN, HYDROLYZED VIOLA TRICOLOR EXTRACT, TRIETHANOLAMINE, YEAST EXTRACT, CARBOMER, DISODIUM EDTA, NATTO GUM, TOCOPHERYLA ACETATE, AMMONIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYLTAURATE/VP COPOLYMER, ALCOHOL, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, SODIUM HYALURONATE, HYDROGENATED LECITHIN, CREATINE, GLYCEROPHOSPHOCHOLINE, MANNITOL, SUCROSE LAURATE, CERAMIDE 3, LYSOLECITHIN, SODIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE, METHYLPARABEN, PHENOXYETHANOL, CI 19140, CI 15985, PARFUM
Ingredients Analisis: http://www.cosdna.com/eng/cosmetic_9001135374.html

 Summary

 In general this line is dedicated for rather dry complexions. I have an oily skin, but it tends to be dehydrated or dried out in some places - I've bought this set to find a product for my "dryer days" and it worked well for me this way. I was thinking about getting some full sized products from this set to use as my PM routine, but I decided to test out some other products first and preferably look for something anti-aging or/and brightening.
If you would like to introduce some honey into your skincare routine, but you don't want to invest money in the whole set, I would recommend:
- for an every day moisturising, for all skin types: toner + essence or toner + emulsion, or essence + emulsion.
- for heavy duty moisture any from set + cream.

Overall I really enjoyed testing out this product. It's actually the first time I had chance to experience product layering with product from the same line. If you ever have chance to catch set of samples - go for it (don't put it away because of your skin type - every skin needs some heave duty moisturising from time to time) ;) it may also be a nice gift.