I am a huge fan of hydrating essences simply because my skin is always breaking in thirst across the Sahara of my face. And these oasis babies are purrrfect to fulfill an empty space left by my genetics – water water water and no oil enhancement whatsoever.

There have been some debates regarding Missha First Treatment Essence Intensive and Cosrx Galactomyces 95 Whitening Power Essence (thankfully they changed the not-so-bright old name). If you want to buy one of them and cannot decide, I hope this post may be helpful.

First, let’s clarify something. In this skincare battle, it’s the Missha’s new version of the FTE – the Intensive Moist one – that is on the table. Unfortunately I didn’t get the change to try the old version because it was discontinued (or do you still know about places that sell it??). Sadly, amongst the ingredients they took away was my sweet Licorice Extract as well as Centella Asiatica Extract – why did you have go?

Frustrations aside, I tried both of these products for one month so I could see proper results. I used Missha FTE on the left side of my face and the Cosrx GWPE on the right side of my face.

Let’s talk CLAIMS:

Both use fermented ingredients and fall in the first essences category – their main purpose is to soften the skin to increase its absorption rate on the following products you want to splash all over the face.

Missha FTE: improves fine lines/wrinkles and skin tone, it’s “soothing, hydrating, brightening and gives a glowing complexion. The Intensive Moist version says to level up hydration, texture and skin tone.

Cosrx GWPE: nourishes, hydrates and brightens the skin to promote radiant and clear complexion with smoothed texture (I lost the packaging in which the bottle came but you can easily find it online).

I have massive dehydrated skin, texturized and amazingly dull! So I expected hydration, texture improvement and overall brightening.

INGREDIENTS:

Missha FTE:

Honorable mentions:

90% Fermented Fission Yeast Extract, (derived from beer brewing process) which, according to Missha’s US website, “is a naturally fortified Vitamin B Group. Vitamin B supports and increases the rate of metabolism and maintains healthy skin.” It has antioxidant properties and it’s wound healing, brightening and hydrating. Music to my hears.

Niacinamide: melanin supressor – brightening, moisturizing, boots collagen production, soothes fine lines, improves texture and skin tone, reduces redness, enhances skin barrier function, I could go on.

Cassia-Alata Extract: “protects DNA from aging caused by UV rays and promotes restoration of damaged DNA” – source.

Sodium Hyaluronate: derived from hyaluronate acid, it’s easily absorbed for its smaller molecular size. Can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water.

Lactic Acid: it must be in very small amounts for it’s at the end of the list so it probably won’t be enough to exfoliate but maybe to provide some mild hydration and softness.

Extra ingredients for the Intensive Moist version:

Purple Barley: moisturizing, antioxidant.

Ion Fermentation: improves skin moisture.

Cosrx GWPE: Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Betaine, Panthenol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Allantoin, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Ethyl Hexanediol, Adenosine

Honorable mentions:

Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate: (derived from sake brewing process) antioxidant properties – enhances skin renewal, it’s brightening, hydrating and tightens the skin for a smoothed texture.

Niacinamide: see above.

Sodim Hyaluronate: see above

Adenosine: anti-aging, moisturizing, soothes and smoothes the skin.

TEXTURE

Missha FTE: it has a transparent watery-runny consistency with a very subtle smell, almost odorless. So watery I couldn’t even grab it with my hand for the photo.

Cosrx GWPE: transparent liquid almost odorless as well. The consistency is a bit thicker than the Missha’s one.

HOW TO USE

Missha FTE: after actives or as a first step after cleansing to enhance absorption of the following products.

Cosrx GWPE: after actives, as a first step after cleansing or after toning.

PERFORMANCE

As I said I used both these products for a month and did it every morning.

First, I think they both are very good hydrating products. Neither broke me out or made my skin feel drier. Anyways, there were a few differences I felt.

The first thing I noticed was texture. Although they are both hydrating, I felt the Missha FTE improved the texture of my skin right after I apply it. The left (Missha) side of my face was softer, smoother and plumper. With this, I don’t mean to say the right side wasn’t hydrated, but I could feel these differences between them.

A few weeks later I though I could only notice an overall brightening effect, so I decided to take a photo. I look at it in a rush and ignored, seeing nothing special with it. When I started to write this post, I looked at the photo with more attention and I did see some brightening differences! The redness is less visible on the right side of my face (Missha) and it is more brightened. Can you spot these differences as well?

In terms of anti-aging effects, of course I didn’t notice any differences, but wasn’t expecting to once only actives can provide visible changes. I guess they might be good wrinkle prevention products due to they fermentation properties.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

I do think BOTH Missha FTE and Cosrx GWPE helped me with hydration issues – which I suffer a lot, specially in the summer – and with overall brightening. It’s just that Missha FTE has more intense effects and in terms of texture is clearly a winner – at least for my skin.

I will probably be repurchasing Missha FTE unless there are some other hydrating essences I want to try (Naruko’s!). I do like to apply the Cosrx one on my neck and chest, but don’t know if I will repurchase it.

Have your tried both of these products? What are your thoughts on them? What are your other favourite hydrating essences?

Have a nice day 🙂