Alternative to SK-II Essence?

[HollieBeth]

Does anyone of a good dupe or alternative to the original SK-II - Facial Treatment Essence? I'm looking for something that will do everything for my skin: tone, moisturize, brighten, help with acne, redness and fine lines, etc. but the price ($179) is a little deterring... Any suggestions are appreciated!

[joie07]

I switched of to the Missha Time Revolution after my third bottle of SK-II because my skin actually seems to do better with it.  I also appreciate that I can buy it in a spray bottle.  I just got my bottle of the new Artemisia one, so I can't really comment on it yet.

[tinazhang718]

Tony moly has a dupe that's suppose to be most similar. Missha time revolution toner is also very similar. corex galacomyces supposedly has the most similar ingredient, but I find the texture to be very different, a little too gluey and not that watery.  

[parisdust]

@HollieBeth I agree with @sockmagnet. The Secret Key (rose edition) essence is a great, cheaper dupe to the SK-II essence! Missha Time Revolution is the most famous of all of the dupes that I have heard of.

[HannahMoira]

I use the COSRX Galactomyces essence, i think the full name is "galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence" and it's been really good! it does feel like it doing just as good a job, been using it for over a year and its so much more affordable! it's like 20 bucks.

[SportyGirly125]

@HollieBeth you could try TATCHA - The Essence Plumping Skin Softener or CAUDALIE - Vinoperfect Glycolic Brightening Essence

[pocketvenus]

@HollieBeth, I love both the SK-II and my Misha Time Revolution essence, but the Misha goes for around CA$45-$55 a 150ml bottle 🙂

[greeneyedgirl107]

@HollieBeth I LOVE my Paula's Choice Brightening Essence.  $42 for 1 ounces; but there are frequently sales so I got mine for about 20% off.  Here's a list of the ingredients and what they do:

Spoiler

Water (Aqua), Butylene Glycol (hydration), Glycerin (skin-replenishing), Arbutin (skin-brightening), Acetyl Glucosamine (skin-restoring), Ascorbyl Glucoside (vitamin C/antioxidant), Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract (soothing extract), Arcostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract (brightening plant extract), Morus Alba Root Extract (brightening plant extract), Niacinamide (skin-restoring ingredient), Sodium Hyaluronate (skin-replenishing/antioxidant), Hyaluronic Acid (skin-replenishing/antioxidant), Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 (skin-restoring ingredient), Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (skin-restoring ingredient), Allantoin (soothing agent), Adenosine (skin-restoring ingredient), Silanetriol (antioxidant), Carbomer, (texture enhancer) Polysorbate-20 (texture enhancer), Citric Acid (pH adjuster), Sodium Citrate (preservative), Sodium Hydroxide (pH adjuster), Disodium EDTA (stabilizer), Ethylhexylglycerin (preservative), Phenoxyethanol (preservative).

[sockmagnet]

Missha, COSRX, and Secret Key (to name just a few) offer much cheaper alternatives and are relatively easy to obtain these days. Tatcha also offers an Essence, but I would only recommend buying it when it is on sale / as part of a gift set that offers some savings.