Review: elmt Skin Activating Solution essence

I mentioned it at the top of the page but I’ll say it again here, this is a product that was sent to me by the brand.

In this case, it wouldn’t have made a difference, as I probably would have purchased it myself. This new brand “elmt” (which is a kind of abbreviation for the word “element” and is actually pronounced that way) intrigued me.

I struggled to grasp the concept behind the brand at first, probably because I couldn’t see how it was truly unique…

elmt was created by the Wishcompany, the company behind the wishtrend.com website, which is not only an e-commerce site but also a true skincare brand creation hub. They’re the ones behind the eponymous brand By Wishtrend, and also the beloved Klairs. So elmt is their latest skincare project!

In two words: the concept behind elmt is to create “unframed skincare“.

The goal of the brand is to highlight the key ingredients of their formulas, to emphasize them in a way, but also to focus on the effectiveness and the final texture of the product.

See, maybe I’m being cynical, but I still have a hard time seeing how this concept is new and groundbreaking…😅

Because minimalist skincare brands, that focus on the ingredients used on the packaging and in their communication, and that aim above all for efficiency, err… Correct me if I’m wrong, but it seems pretty common lately! 😆

But hey, I’m never against testing a new essence in my routine, especially if it contains green tea which I really like. So I decided to keep an open mind and give elmt, and their Skin Activating Solution, a shot. Here is my review!

Skincare Review: Amorepacific Vintage Single Extract Essence This review is long overdue, I know! I tried this essence for the first time almost 4 years ago, so it’s not really a genuine discovery anymore. I’ve even repurchased it several times since then. It’s quite a unique product, with its own unique story and I think I owed it a dedicated article. So here is my review of the Vintage Single Extract Essence from the Korean premium skincare brand Amorepacific! Read more

elmt Skin Activating Solution essence, product presentation:

I briefly described the concept of the brand elmt in my introduction, but let me go back to it for a minute.

At the moment, elmt only has four essences, which they call “solutions“, because they are products that target fairly specific needs.

So in the range, there are:
– the Skin Activating Solution essence, which I’m discussing today,
– the Skin Illuminating Solution, a brightening essence the brand also sent me and that I’ m currently using in the evening (I might have the opportunity to talk about it later 😉 ),
– the Advanced Calming Solution, a soothing essence I purchased and will be trying soon,
– the Gentle Exfoliating Solution, an exfoliating essence I don’t intend to try (right now, exfoliating toners are not really my friends).

The essence Skin Activating Solution is supposed to help reduce skin inflammation and irritation for an overall healthier, more resilient complexion.

To do this, the formula combines the powerful antioxidant properties of Chinese skullcap extract (concentrated here at 14.7%) with the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of green tea extract (which makes up 58% of the formula).

Note:
These are plant extracts, which means they are diluted in water, so while the numbers given above seem very high, it’s important to remember that the extracts are not “dry” ingredients but already diluted. This doesn’t mean that they are just basically water and that they are not efficient, not at all! A plant extract is still an active ingredient in a cosmetic formula 🙂
But I just wanted to give you all the cards to decipher these percentages 😉

The brand also highlights the concept of “activating synergy“:
« Through research and development, and customer feedback gathered over the past decade, we’ve seen empirical evidence of the efficacy of cosmetic ingredients known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions.Of these ingredients, we chose Chinese skullcap root extract and green tea extract as the main ingredients when formulating our Skin Activating Solution. In doing so, there is increased synergy between both ingredients for stronger anti-inflammatory and antioxidant care than when formulating the solution with only one of the two ingredients. » (source)

So, errr… Here again, I have a hard time seeing what is new and innovative, because if I’m not mistaken, this concept is what I would call “cosmetic formulation“, because a cosmetic formula is precisely the idea of combining ingredients to enhance their effects but maybe I’m wrong, I don’t know… (I have a a feeling this brand will never send me anything again, don’t know why 😂)

But OK, if I skip all these shenanigans, the formula is still pretty nice!

It’s quite short, and features the two main ingredients, as mentioned above:
– green tea with green tea extract and green tea water, which are antioxidant, purifying and soothing ingredients,
– and Chinese skullcap extract, a soothing, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and humectant ingredient.

But the rest of the formula doesn’t fall short! There are also:
– moisturizing ingredients like glycerin and a humectant sugar (trehalose),
– soothing panthenol (vitamin B5),
– but also a lot of fermented ingredients that have an effect on the radiance of the complexion and a soothing function.

So let’s see how it did on my skin…

elmt Skin Activating Solution essence, my experience:

I used the Skin Activating Solution essence for about 2 months, every morning, right after I finished a bottle of my beloved Amorepacific Vintage Single Extract green tea essence…

And, if I’m being honest, it’s probably because of the Amorepacific Vintage Single Extract that it’s such a tough comparison with the elmt Skin Activating Solution…

Because clearly, the idea for me was to continue to get the effects of green tea with a product that was 8-10 times cheaper. But it’s probably unfair to compare these two products, I must say!

So, if trying to keep my expectations a little more realistic, with this elmt Skin Activating Solution essence, I was expecting a result on hydration, a calming effect and a more radiant complexion.

But in reality, I mostly enjoyed the refreshing and hydrating effect of this essence, but I didn’t find it to be extremely soothing.

Maybe I need to keep using it to feel the effects, but I admit I’m not completely sold on this product. It’s not bad… but it could do be better, I guess!

Now, I know its antioxidant effect will probably be noticeable in the long run so that also motivates me to continue using it 😉

In conclusion:

In short, I will finish the elmt Skin Activating Solution but probably not repurchase…

As you can see, this new elmt brand has not (yet?) won me over completely! I have a hard time completely understanding the concept, but maybe their next releases will convince me more, who knows?

elmt might not have played all its cards yet? We’ll see!

To be continued, and if I change my mind, I will come back here to talk about the other products from the brand, I promise!

The elmt Skin Activating Solution essence retails for $20 for 150ml.