NEOGEN Dermalogy Real Ferment Micro Essence, 5.07 oz (150ml) | 93% Fermented First Essence Toner, Bifida & Sake Rice, Dewy Glass-Skin Glow, Hydrating Korean Skincare

I bought this because I love fermented skincare, and I have been using SK-II long enough to know what a really good first essence can do. I also know that $245 a bottle is a lot to keep signing up for. So I went looking for something more affordable that still had a serious ferment profile, and this was one of the few formulas that immediately caught my attention. I already use other Neogen products and have had good experiences with the brand, so I decided to give it a shot. Does it replace my SK-II? No. I’m not going to pretend it does. But this is still an outstanding essence, and compared with most of the lower-priced fermented essences I have tried, this one is in a different league. I’m 53, post-menopausal, with dry, mature skin, so I am not looking for a watery product that does nothing except make my face damp for thirty seconds. I want an essence to actually improve how my skin feels over time, especially hydration, softness, overall smoothness and that healthy, rested look that fermented products can be very good at supporting. This does that. The ingredient list is the reason this stands out. The formula starts with 32% bifida ferment lysate, followed by 28% Saccharomyces ferment filtrate, then 9% rice ferment filtrate and 4% Aspergillus ferment. That is not a token amount of ferment added near the bottom of the list so the brand can put “fermented” on the front of the bottle. Ferments are the backbone of this formula. Bifida ferment lysate is one of the ingredients I pay attention to in barrier-supportive skincare. It contains fermentation byproducts and components that can help support a healthier skin environment and improve resilience. Saccharomyces ferment filtrate is another classic fermented ingredient used for hydration, conditioning and helping skin look more even and refined over time. The rice ferment adds another layer of skin-conditioning benefits, and rice-derived ferments have a long history in Korean and Japanese skincare because they tend to work very well in formulas focused on softness, hydration and radiance. There is also birch juice, which brings additional humectant and soothing support, along with glycerin, betaine, trehalose and sodium hyaluronate. Those are all ingredients that help attract and retain water in the skin. On my dry skin, that matters. This is very lightweight, but it does not feel pointless. My skin feels more comfortable and less tight after I use it, especially when I layer it before serum and moisturizer. The formula also includes green tea extract, which provides antioxidant support, plus allantoin, which is calming, and hydrogenated lecithin, which helps with skin conditioning and barrier support. There is also adenosine, a well-established K-beauty ingredient often used to support smoother-looking skin, and niacinamide further down the list. I would not buy this specifically for niacinamide, because it is not present high enough for me to treat this like a dedicated niacinamide product, but it is still a useful supporting ingredient. Something else I like is the amino acid blend near the end of the formula. Glycine, serine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, leucine, alanine, lysine and several others are included. Again, I am not expecting these to transform my skin structurally, but amino acids are part of the skin’s natural moisturizing system and fit very well into a formula designed to improve hydration and skin feel. Texture-wise, this is exactly what I want from a first essence. It is watery and absorbs quickly, but it does not disappear into nothing. I usually pour a small amount into my palms and press it into my face rather than wasting it on a cotton pad. It layers extremely well and does not leave stickiness or a film. I can follow it with serums, growth factors, richer creams or sunscreen without any pilling issues. As for results, this is not the kind of product where I expect one dramatic before-and-after moment. Fermented essences are more about cumulative improvement. With regular use, my skin feels softer, better hydrated and more refined, and it gives me that subtle healthy glow I specifically look for from this category. It also seems to make the rest of my routine sit better on my skin, which is one of the reasons I keep a first essence in my routine in the first place. Now, compared with SK-II, I still give SK-II the edge. There is something about that formula and the way my skin responds to it that I have not found duplicated exactly. But this costs a fraction of the price and gets surprisingly close in terms of the overall experience I want from a fermented essence. More importantly, it is not trying to copy SK-II with one hero ferment and a bare-bones formula. Neogen took a different approach by combining several ferments with humectants, soothing ingredients, amino acids and barrier-supportive components. I think this would be especially good for dry, mature, dehydrated or dull-looking skin, and also for anyone who likes layering lightweight hydration without heaviness. It could also work very well for combination skin because it is not oily or rich. People who are new to fermented skincare may want to patch test first, since ferments are not universally tolerated by everyone, and if your skin reacts easily to fermented ingredients, this obviously may not be your product. For me, though, this was exactly what I was hoping to find: a genuinely strong fermented essence that does not require luxury-level spending. It does not knock SK-II off my shelf, but it absolutely earns a permanent place next to it. And at this price, I can use it generously without feeling like every drop costs five dollars. Would I buy it again? Absolutely.

I’ve been using it for about a month now, and while the results haven’t been instant, I’ve started to notice some positive changes in my skin. My skin feels more hydrated, softer, and overall healthier. It’s not a miracle product that transforms your skin overnight, but it’s definitely a great addition to a consistent skincare routine. I’ve been pairing this essence with a good serum and moisturizer, which I think helps maximize its effects. It absorbs well and feels lightweight, making it easy to layer with other products. My plan is to continue using it for at least a year to see if the long-term benefits truly live up to the hype. A friend of mine has been using a similar product from another brand for years, and her skin has improved dramatically over time. That’s enough inspiration for me to stick with it!

Repeat buy. This is my sub for the pricy SK essence and I love it. Have used expensive one before and appreciate its cooling, smoothing effect. Find Neogen does the same. Ordered one evening arrived next afternoon in a heavily padded box. Excellent!

Good ingredients, and good product from what I can see after using twice, and seems to have made skin softer, and menopausal acne less red on chin area, when using with red light therapy. Would have preferred a spray. I had NeoGen Plasma Skin Regeneration (PSR) 4 months ago and have struggled with acne since, so turned to this brand, and am optimistic as so far so good. Will update after a week. When I say soft, I mean soft!! After a week, can not tell it has made a lot of difference with clearing up of redness from menopausal acne, but does make skin moisturized if what you are only looking for. Imo not worth the price point.

This may be the only review I’ve ever left but wow this stuff is amazing. Saw a dermatologist talk about it and it’s completely changed the texture of my skin just after a few days. There is no more texture it’s just smooth and soft! Makeup goes on better too and leaves this beautiful youthful glow. Easily the best product I own now!

I got this because people said it was somewhat similar to SKII. For me- this is what I rebuy (In this economy- SKII... not happening). The price is good and with all the other steps of my skincare routine this works great. The essence brightens my face, helps even complexion, and gives a decent amount of lightweight moisture. If I skip days of using this, I notice.

I’ve been a skincare junkie for about for years now, and I’ve tried a lot of different essences including the now trending sk-ii essence. This one works just as well, and is a fraction of the cost. Of all the essences I’ve tried- this is the only one I keep coming back to. The hydration provided penetrates into the deepest layers of the skin, and it’s gentle enough to use repeatedly. It’s thin and lightweight which I like in an essence. You don’t want to apply a thick layer of product on at the beginning of your skincare routine as thicker products can often inhibit the absorption of other, more potent actives such as serums or moisturisers. Other essences I’ve used work well at first but continuous use becomes irritating for my skin. It’s also fragrance free which is always a plus in my book! Edit: October 2025 and it’s still a staple y’all.

I want to start by saying, this is a hydrating toner. So it kinda goes without saying that if you have oily skin naturally, this is probably not for you. Also the expectation is for it to hydrate, not clear your acne. I’m white and also from California, so my climate as well as my skin is very dry. I use this everyday and a bottle usually lasts me anywhere from 2-3 months. Overall my skin is more even and supple looking, but I still occasionally use a cleansing toner. I get compliments on my skin all the time now, and I really give all the credit to this product. SK-II is out of their minds charging people 100$ when this product is just as good for 38$.

Very favorite serum

Très bon produit

Befeuchtet meine Gesichtshaut gut. Zieht schnell ein. Kein abrollen beim Benutzen weiterer Cremes. Habe ich schon nachgekauft.

best essence i have used. i have tried tatcha. misha. skII. juice beauty. amorepacific. this is the most hydrating of all. sinks in right away, and price is waaaaay cheaper than tachta/skII/amorepacific

Love this essence, its watery and soaks in immediately! Ive been using this fpr a long time and will continue too! It helps brighten your completion