This Not That: SK-II Facial Treatment Essence

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SK-II is one of those luxury skincare products I always told myself not to try—mostly because of the price tag. But curiosity won, and I gave in. And honestly? The hype is real. Within a few weeks, I noticed a visible glow and radiance in my skin that felt almost magical.

They make a lot of claims—like evening out skin tone and improving texture—and while I didn’t personally see all of those benefits, the glow alone made it feel worth it. It’s a beautifully formulated essence, no doubt. But let’s be real: it costs as much as an entire skincare routine.

So I went on the hunt for a more budget-friendly alternative that could still deliver that same luminous effect. After trying a few options, MISSHA’s Time Revolution Essence stood out. It was the only one that gave me that same radiant glow, and at a fraction of the cost. It’s not a perfect dupe, but it’s close enough to make the switch feel smart—and my skin is still loving it.