I owe this one to Eileen, a long-time reader whose comments are always inspiring and enlightening. She recommended Missha Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence as a first after-cleansing step, and remarked that it's nearly identical to the incredible SK-II Facial Treatment Essence ($165, 5oz). I never met an SK-II product I didn't love, but I know enough about skincare ingredients to realize that their prices are aspirational. Missha, a much-respected Korean brand (SK-II is Japanese) looked like a great alternative.
I just finished my first bottle and already had a new one waiting. The Essence has become indispensable to me, as it not only feels incredible on skin (I apply it right after cleansing), but also seems to make the products that follow absorb better and perhaps perform better. I can say for sure that my skin is very very happy. There's a lot of good stuff in this unassuming clear odorless liquid. The fermented yeast that Missha mentions is chock-full of Vitamin B. Niacinamide is also very high on the ingredient list, which is another form of Vitamin B and a major anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and it enhances the absorption of ceramides in human skin and improves the epidermal barrier, which is exactly what you want your skincare to do.
One doesn't have to do the full seven (or nine, depending on your skincare guru) layers of product routine known as the Korean Method. I've been using the Essence under my tried-and-true Advanced Night Repair, BFF oil, or retinol (Peter Thomas Roth), plus snail products, and any old moisturizer. They all seem to spring into life a bit faster, as does my face.
Eileen has pointed out that when buying this Missha Essence one needs to make sure to get the new version (the product was reformulated last year) that says "Intensive" in red print on the bottle and box. The product shown on Target's website (yes, Target now carries both Missha and Mizon) is the old one, but I don't know if it indicates that they're selling old stock or maybe it's just an error. I can tell you that the one sold on Amazon (for lower than list price) is the good new stuff.
Bottom Line: Highly recommended.
Ingredients: Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Bigida Ferment Lysate, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Polyquaternium-51, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Betaine, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Pirper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Beta vulgaris (Beet) Root extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Water, Trehalose, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Raffinose, Tromethamine, Acetic Acid, Lactic Acid, 1, 2-Hexanediol, Caprytyl Glycol, Hexapeptide-9 Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate.
Missha Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence ($49) is available from misshaus.com, Target, and Amazon.
Hello Gaia, I usually buy this directly from the Missha US site for the free samples, frequent %off events and gifts with purchase. I have been using this for the last 3 years but recently switched to the aerosol spray version. More expensive per ounce but so much easier to apply!
ReplyDeleteAs you know, I absolutely love this essence, Gaia, and I am pleased to see it becoming more widely available. I do want to warn people, though, that there is an inferior product by an Asian brand called Missa that I've seen at Bed Bath and Beyond. It is not the same brand as Missha and the product pales in comparison to Missha's Time Revolution. Don't be fooled, ladies. Make sure you're getting the real deal: Missha Time Revolution The first Treatment Essence Intensive. It's as extraordinary as its name is long! :-)
ReplyDeleteThis review looks stellar - I've wanted to find a less expensive alternative to SK II for a while now and yes Niacinamide is a great addition to any skin care routine.
ReplyDeleteI'm rushing off to Amazon right now!
:)
Hi Elizabeth,
DeleteI used SKII for years and always lamented the exorbitant price, but because the product worked so well for me, I just did the best I could to stock up during Friends & Family sales like Sephora's. When I started reading reviews about Time Revoluion as an alternative, I decided I'd look into it. I was very impressed with what I read and took the plunge. It's a wonderful product and is 80% ferment. That in combination with the Niacinamide makes this a real winner. Just be sure you get the Intensive version. There are still retailers trying to unload the older version.
Thanks so much for the tip Eileen! :)
DeleteOh, on another note - what do you think of their Night Repair Serum? I saw that on Amazon as well. Is it any good??
ReplyDeleteTwo raves by people who've never steered me wrong...Gaia & Eileen! This sounds like a "must try." Thanks Beauty Buddies!!! Judy
ReplyDeleteThanks for highlighting this! It sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteMaia, I have just ordered samples of this, sincerely, after following your snail trail, my skin has never been this great. Most of the lines in my forehead are gone, and I'm older than you. I have also ordered The snail eye cream to try. They seem to have a new Mizon snail Extreme or something like that? I'll check and get back to you. I'm probable going to gross you all, but in Southern Spain and Portugal, we love eating snails too, soon it's going to be snail season and The snail festival in The Portuguese Algarve, lol
ReplyDeleteOff to one-click--Amazon owes you a commission! Thanks for the information, Gaia and Eileen!
ReplyDeleteI ordered a bottle from Target, and even though the picture online is of the old formula, I received a bottle of the new one. I'm assuming it's an error.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this recommendation. Any alternatives for the SKII essentials face cream?
ReplyDeleteI've tried SKII's FTE and a Kiehl's first essence, but don't see a difference, and don't really get what they are supposed to do. I'll try this one and see.
ReplyDelete