Works for
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Oligopeptide-1 + 8 moreWorks well
“Hyaluronic acid, EGF, alongside other brightening and help restore moisture, resilience and elasticity to skin.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, hydrolyzed collagen.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: hydrolyzed collagen, caprylyl glycol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide, oligopeptide-1
Anti-agingSide benefit the brand mentions · Niacinamide, Adenosine + 3 moreWorks well
“Tiny 24K gold flakes give this first treatment essence a luxury look and feel while restoring skin's radiant glow.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains adenosine, niacinamide.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: oligopeptide-1.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Anti-blemishSide benefit · Niacinamide, Sodium ascorbyl phosphateWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Niacinamide, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acidWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Boswellia serrata resin extract + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin~4.5–6.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinNiacinamide~3.5–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideAlcohol denat.~2.7–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Butylene glycol~2–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolLonicera japonica flower extract~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. Can contain volalite oils and be irritating
More about Lonicera japonica flower extractCaviar extract~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Royal jelly extract~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A compound secreted by bees. Might be able to attract water to the top layer of the skin. Avoid if sensitive to honey and bee products
More about Royal jelly extractHydrolyzed collagen~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A typically plant-derived compound that is supposed mimic human collagen. Cannot penetrate the skin barrier so is not particularly useful in skincare products beyond attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrolyzed collagenSodium hyaluronate~0.6–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSolanum lycopersicum callus culture extract~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Vitis vinifera callus culture extract~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Boswellia serrata resin extract~0.3–0.75%
Zanthoxylum piperitum fruit extract~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that has some anti-oxidant properties. It can be irritating. Can be used to improve the product's smell
More about Zanthoxylum piperitum fruit extractUsnea barbata extract~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pulsatilla koreana extract~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Carbomer~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerPeg-60 hydrogenated castor oil~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-60 hydrogenated castor oilTriethanolamine~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineXanthan gum~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gum1,2-hexanediol~0.1–0.4%
Adenosine~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)
More about AdenosineGold~0.1–0.35%
Oligopeptide-1~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Oligopeptide-13-o-ethyl ascorbic acid~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
More about 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acidCaprylhydroxamic acid~0.05–0.3%
Caprylyl glycol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolLecithin~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinSodium ascorbyl phosphate~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A stable derivative of vitamin C. It is oil-soluble which means it is more likely to penetrate the skin compared to the pure form of vitamin C (which is water-soluble), but it is less bio-available and is way less effective in stimulating collagen and reducing wrinkles compared to the pure form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and its other derivatives (for example, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). At the same time, this vitamin C derivative has been shown in studies to be effective in reducing acne, blemishes and clogged pores. It is less irritating then the pure form of vitamin C
More about Sodium ascorbyl phosphateDisodium edta~0.01–0.05%
Parfum~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Alcohol denat., Butylene glycol, Lonicera japonica flower extract, Caviar extract, Royal jelly extract, Hydrolyzed collagen, Sodium hyaluronate, Solanum lycopersicum callus culture extract, Vitis vinifera callus culture extract, Boswellia serrata resin extract, Zanthoxylum piperitum fruit extract, Usnea barbata extract, Pulsatilla koreana extract, Carbomer, Peg-60 hydrogenated castor oil, Triethanolamine, Xanthan gum, 1,2-hexanediol, Adenosine, Gold, Oligopeptide-1, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Caprylyl glycol, Lecithin, Sodium ascorbyl phosphate, Disodium edta, Parfum
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Secret Key24K Gold Premium First EssenceYOUR PRODUCT | DERMAFIRMAge Reviving Essential Toner A4 | numbuzinNo.5+ Glutathione Vitamin Boosting Essential Toner | innisfreeBlack Tea Youth Enhancing Treatment Essence | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 89% | 87% | 87% |
| Price | — | $19.90 | $15.40 | $28.47 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 7 | 4 of 7 | 4 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 | Madecassoside | Hexapeptide-9 |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: COSRX 5 PDRN B5 Vital Soothing TonerMISSHA Time Revolution Immortal Youth Blue Essence
Product summary
"Secret Key - 24K Gold Premium First Essence" is effective for: Anti-blemish, Evens skin tone, Moisturizing and Anti-aging
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (3.50% - 5.30%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- Peptides (oligopeptide-1 0.10% - 0.35%). There are many different kind of Peptides and they are naturally present in our skin. They all are a combination of aminoacids. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective Peptides are in skincare, but it is very likely that they have a benefit. They might help restore the skin barrier and fight the signs of aging. At the very least, Peptides work as humectants: they attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve its hydration.
- Adenosine 0.10% - 0.40%. It is a chemical present inside our skin cells. A clinical trial confirmed that topical application of Adenosine in a low concentration can reduce dynamic wrinkles (these are the wrinkles that appear with age in a places where our mimic is the most active, for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead).
- Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.60% - 1.35%, hydrolyzed collagen 1.10% - 1.60% and glycerin 4.50% - 6.80%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 35.98$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 17 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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