A long time ago, I used galactomyces and loved it. It was from a different brand (Elizavecca) and it was a very long time ago. 

However, I do remember distinctively that it did a difference in my skin. A very subtle one, so I couldn't point my finger on it.

When I stopped using it, I realized that it did something and that something was quite big. But with so many products in my repertoire, I quickly forgot about it.

 Then, after a couple of years, I remembered the ingredient - galactomyces and decided to try it again. I mean, I thought it was awesome for some reason, so why not?

I picked the brand Secret Key because I read that it was a really good duplicate for the Missha Time Revolution. It's a Korean brand and to tell the truth, I loved it. I had it in the Rose version, which is the same as the original, just with a rose scent. 

Then, a couple of months ago, I noticed that Notino carries the brand Secret Key. I squealed in delight when I noticed it. I mean, I could finally get another go at the Galactomyce Essence! And because I was able to get it from them, It's finally time for a proper review.

Secret Key Galactomyces Starting Treatment Essence

Secret Key is a Korean brand that is known to make great products at affordable prices. I have only tried the Galactomyces essence so I don't know about that, but their products do seem to come at affordable prices.

What does it do?

Hydrate, Skin calming, Cleansing, Brightening, Regeneration, Unifying, Anti-redness, Protection from the elements.

• soothes skin instantly
• it hydrates and nourishes the skin
• leaves the skin soft, fresh and radiant
• regulates sebum production

THE PACKAGING

The packaging is beautiful. The essence comes in a glass bottle that has a frosted look to it. It's beautiful. Very minimalistic and clean. It looks really nice on my cosmetics shelf and I think it would look great in any bathroom. 

The essence itself doesn't have a scent and it also doesn't contain any colours. It looks exactly like water. And it feels like water. Just don't drink it, as it's not really water. :) 

INCI:

Water, Glycerin, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, Arbutin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Rh-Oligopeptide-1, Dimethicone, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Physalis Alkekengi Fruit Extract, Acanthopanax Senticosus (Eleuthero) Root Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum (Mushroom) Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Velvet Extract, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Adenosine, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA; If you'd like the explanation of the INCI, you can check Incidecoder.

HOW I USE IT

Because it acts like water, I put some in my palms and then tap it onto my skin. After use my skin feels hydrated and ready for the next step - that's usually a cream of some sorts. 

It can be used with cotton pads, but I feel that's a waste of product so I just use my palms. It's less wasteful this way and I get to use the same product for longer. 

I like that it absorbs rather quickly so I don't have to wait around for it to dry enough for other steps. I think because of this it would be perfect for the 7 skin method.

PROS:

+ Beautiful packaging, really elegant

+ No scent, no colour

+ Absorbs quickly

+ I noticed an improvement in my skin

+ Less expensive than similar products

+ Hydrating

+ A bottle lasts a very long time!

CONS:

- The watery consistency may make application messier

MY VERDICT:

I started using it in the middle of September 2020 and now, almost 2 months later I can see some changes. I notice that my skin look more even, brighter. And that those pesky marks after acne seems to fade quicker. 

I mean, yes, it feels like applying water and nothing more. But the overall difference is huge. At least to me. My skin looks so much better in person than it did before. I know my skin doesn't look that bad in any of the pictures and the lightning isn't consistent. But there's a difference, a slight glow is I say so myself. 

I enjoy it and am really happy that I'm able to get it in my country for a similar price than if I ordered directly from Korea. I mean, it's a steal (21€). It's not the cheapest essence, but I think it's worth it. And now that I know that my skin loves fermented products, I think I may stick to it.