Then I Met You - Giving Essence
It’s giving 🤌 glow!! I’ve always been a bit sceptical about watery products (like toners) but the ingredients list and glowing reviews for this were too good to not try it. This is also an *essence* which makes it sound a little more sophisticated and the consistency is a little thicker than water (think, thick water) but essences have the job of delivering hydration and ingredients that boost skin health.
Since trying it in July 2021, I’ve repurchased it 6 times and don’t plan on stopping soon. This product is one that has always been in my skincare rotation, while I don’t use it every day(I tend to go through phases), I do notice a difference when I do use it and I wouldn’t have my skincare bag without it.
Inspired by Korean ingredients (and created by a Korean-American lady called Charlotte Cho) it packs a punch with what it offers, layers nicely in your routine, hydrates and does indeed give a nice glow.
What is it meant to do for your skin?
Strengthen skin barrier
Hydrate your skin
Brighten your skin (get that glow!)
Protect your skin with antioxidants
Improve skin texture
Key ingredients:
Niacinamide - for brightening, smoothing and improving skin tone
Polyglutamic Acid - a humectant that helps to draw moisture to the skin (apparently hold 4-5 more water than hyaluronic acid!). It helps to plump and hydrate
Ellagic Acid - a natural antioxidant (found in a berries) that helps to protect and brighten
Plant and fruit extracts that help with hydration, antioxiadnts
Fermented/yeast-derived ingredients that help with skin texture, hydration, strengthening and brightening
How I use it:
Usually as my very first step on freshly cleansed skin, I’ll then follow with my cream mist and the rest of my skincare
I use this in either morning or the evening depending on what I feel like using that day
I sometimes layer or swap this with my Snail Mucin or other serum containing Hyaluronic Acid depending on how my skin is feeling
What I love about it:
It’s really easy to apply the consistency is like a thick water and it applies nicely without any stickiness or too much fragrance. It’s a great product to layer with others to boost hydration
Given the watery texture they’ve done a good job at designing the bottle so you can’t easily waste any product but accidentally dispensing too much
What I don't love about it:
Nothing major about the product itself I can think of, it plays nice with other products and adds that extra bit of hydration and glow.
It can be a little pricey too, £51 for 150ml
Does it clash with anything?
Not that I've found yet, it sits nicely with other products and doesn’t cause pilling with anything I’ve used
Where to buy:
If you happen to be there, it is slightly cheaper in the US! ($53 vs £51, this is without the US tax included)
Nice alternatives:
I think the closest thing I’ve tried is the Cosrx Snail Mucin (which I love!) buuut there are lots of comparisons online to:
Neogen Real Ferment Micro Essence
illiyoon Probiotic Skin Barrier Essence Drop
Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water
