Is this as good as SK-II Facial Treatment Essence?

For years, I’ve been hearing all these amazing things about the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence but there was one thing that always put me off, and it was the price tag.

Having problematic skin means that I’ve tried tons of different skincare products, some of which were very, I’d go as far as to say unreasonably expensive. Years a go, I came to a conclusion that pricey doesn’t always mean better or more effective. This is why I was very hesitant about trying the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence– especially since this is isn’t a moisturizer or a serum. Finally about a year and half a go, one of my friends convinced me to try it and I gave in.

Here’s the thing about this treatment essence; while it can be a lovely addition to your skincare routine, it will not give you too many visible results. I use this essence after cleansing, but before serum/moisturizer. It has a very watery formula and I like pouring a few drops in my palms and then gently pressing it into my skin. First thing that I noticed after a week of using this treatment was that my skin felt incredibly smooth. Second thing I noticed was that some of the sebaceous filaments around my nose and chin started to fade very slowly, and the occasional redness also didn’t seem to be a problem any more. And this just about sums it up. Yes, my skin felt amazing after every single use, but I did not see any improvement in anything else. However, once I started running low (which did take a while, one bottle lasts for ages!), I actually did consider buying another bottle of the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence because it worked so well with my then-extremely sensitive skin. That was when I came across Missha Time Revolution First Treatment Essence and I thought to myself, “could this be a possible dupe?”.

Seeing that the price was substantially lower and that it had great reviews, I decided to give it a try. Here’s the surprising part: I liked this stuff just as much as the SK-II Treatment.

Looking at both products, one thing is obvious: the packaging is almost identical and I’m guessing the “dupeage” here was very much intentional. I have to say that in terms of formula and feel they also seem identical. They’re both fragrance-free, however, I do detect a hint of natural scent in the SK-II Treatment Essence (think fermented water). Here’s an ingredient list of both:

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence: Saccharomycopsis Ferment Filtrate(90%), Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Aqua (Water/ Eau), Sodium Benzoate, Methylparaben, Sorbic Acid.

Missha Time Revolution First Treatment Essence: Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate (80%), Propanediol,Glycyrrhiza Glabra ( Licorice Root Extract ), Niacinamide, Polyquaternium-51, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Raffinose, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed, Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Beta Vulgaris (Beet) Root, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis, Chamomile Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Tromethamine, Water, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lactic Acid, Phenoxyethanol.

As you can see Missha Time Revolution First Treatment Essence has a lot more ingredients, but none of them seem to be alarming. Missha Treatment felt absolutely the same on my skin, and after I’ve used it for a while, I have to say that it is hardly possible for me to differentiate between these two products. Both leave my skin feeling very smooth, both help with redness and with minimizing the appearance of sebaceous filaments around my nose and chin. SK-II Treatment sells for $150.00 for 150ml (5oz) and is made in Japan, Missha Time Revolution First Treatment Essence sells for $30.00 (right here) for 150ml and is made in Korea.

Okay, now that we’ve established that this is definitely a dupe, what can these two do for your skin exactly? They will not bring you dramatic results, they will not erase or diminish any wrinkles, spots or hyperpigmentation, they will also not improve your skin’s texture. They both will, however, soften and slightly brighten your skin. These are nothing like harsh toners- they basically feel like water on your skin, which means that they’re both ideal for those with sensitive skin. As you know, I’ve been on Retin-A for nearly a year now, and there’s a lot redness, dryness and sensitivity that comes with the use of prescription tretinoin and both of these essences felt incredibly soothing on my skin.

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence is lovely, but if you’re thinking of trying it, don’t expect miracles. I think that Missha Time Revolution First Treatment Essence is a perfect dupe, and comes at a much better price point.