COSRX
Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence
face essence
COSRX
face essence
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Fit by skin type
General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.
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Take the skin testThe COSRX Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence (previously Galactomyces 95 Whitening Power Essence) is a highly concentrated essence with 95% of the galactomyces ferment filtrate. This essence works to enrich the skin cells with hydration, giving you clear, glowing, and moist skin. It also helps to repair the skin, reduce hyperpigmentation and wrinkles. If you have dry, rough, or uneven patches, this essence will help to remove roughness and dead cells and give you visible improvement in the evenness of the skin tone.
Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence is a watery-light essence from COSRX, a brand based in Korea. The formula is built mainly around hydration, soothing and brightening and tone. The ingredient list runs to 12 ingredients, each broken down in full below.
By its ingredient list the formula reads as very light — essentially a water-and-humectant base with little emollient weight. With almost no emollient load it should absorb quickly and finish close to matte. Hydration is handled by Panthenol, Glycerin and Butylene Glycol, humectants that pull water into the upper layers of skin rather than sealing it there.
Hydration: High. Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin, and here that comes from Panthenol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol and Betaine.
Soothing: High. Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity, and here that comes from Panthenol, Allantoin, Niacinamide and Sodium Hyaluronate.
Brightening: High. Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks, and here that comes from Niacinamide and Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate.
Barrier support: Moderate. Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity, and here that comes from Niacinamide and Panthenol.
On richness alone it suits Combination (oily) and Oily skin best, and is the least natural fit for Dry and Combination (dry) skin. Nothing in the list is flagged as a common irritant, which is a reasonable starting point for reactive skin — though a patch test is still the only way to know.
The formula contributes little or nothing on antioxidant protection, cell renewal and firmness signalling. That is not a fault — most products are not meant to do everything — but if one of those is your priority, this is not the product that will address it.
Reading the full list, the formula is fragrance-free, essential-oil-free, no drying alcohol, paraben-free, silicone-free and microplastic-free. Those claims come from the ingredient list itself, not from the packaging.
It can be used morning and evening. In a routine it goes after cleansing, before serums. Apply to slightly damp skin so the humectants have water to hold on to.
This summary is generated from the product's ingredient list. It is not a review, it is not the brand's own marketing claims, and it does not replace advice from a dermatologist.
Drawn purely from the ingredient list
Scored on how rich or light the formula reads from its INCI order.
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
Based on the curated benefits documented for this product's ingredients.
Attracts and locks in moisture to keep skin plump and dewy
Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation for sensitive skin
Boosts collagen and cell turnover to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
Fades hyperpigmentation and evens out dark spots over time
Tightens and refines the look of enlarged pores
None of the ingredients in this formula are associated with these benefits. This is not unusual, as most products are designed to target a limited number of concerns.
The actives, UV filters and benefit-carrying ingredients in this formula, in the order they are listed.
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 10–40% of the formula.
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate is a filtrate of the product obtained by the fermentation of the microorganism Galactomyces
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a gentle skincare active that repairs the skin barrier, calms redness, controls oil and evens tone at 2–5%. Official IUPAC name: **3-Pyridinecarboxamide**
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Butanamide, 2,4-dihydroxy-N-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3,3-dimethyl-, (2R)-; dl-Panthenol
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
6th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
7th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Methanaminium, 1-carboxy-N,N,N-trimethyl-, hydroxide, inner salt
8th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Hyaluronic acid, sodium, salt
9th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
12th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
6-Amino-9-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-9H-purine
Each axis is scored from the ingredients present and how high up the list they sit.
Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin
Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity
Ingredients that mop up free radicals from UV and pollution
Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine
Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks
Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity
Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover
Peptides and growth factors that signal for collagen support
"Active" here means an ingredient carrying a recorded active type or a recognised UV filter.
Solvents, emollients, texture agents and preservatives — the formula that carries the actives.
Read from the full ingredient list. A brand's own claim may differ.
Judged by the same curated rules our routine checker uses. It reads the ingredients, not the label.
Nothing in this formula belongs to a group our rules can put in conflict, so it layers freely. Order still matters — thinnest texture first.
This product is the "Toning" step.
Flags to check, not verdicts. None of this is medical advice — if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or treating a skin condition, ask a doctor.
Most ingredients do more than one job, so these counts add up to more than the 12 ingredients on the label.
Draws water into the upper layers of skin
Dissolves and carries everything else
Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula
Changes how skin behaves rather than how it feels
Forms a film that slows water loss
Calms visible redness and irritation
Botanical material, usually for antioxidants or scent
Lifts oil and dirt, or holds oil and water together
Every ingredient on the label, in order, with what it does and roughly how much of it is likely to be there.
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 10–40% of the formula.
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate is a filtrate of the product obtained by the fermentation of the microorganism Galactomyces
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a gentle skincare active that repairs the skin barrier, calms redness, controls oil and evens tone at 2–5%. Official IUPAC name: **3-Pyridinecarboxamide**
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Butanamide, 2,4-dihydroxy-N-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3,3-dimethyl-, (2R)-; dl-Panthenol
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
5th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
6th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
7th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Methanaminium, 1-carboxy-N,N,N-trimethyl-, hydroxide, inner salt
8th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Hyaluronic acid, sodium, salt
9th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
10th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Xanthan gum
11th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-ethylhexane-1,3-diol
12th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
6-Amino-9-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-9H-purine
Products in the same category that share this formula's distinguishing ingredients.
Benton
Shares 8 key ingredients with Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence: Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Betaine, Panthenol
Then I Met You
Shares 7 key ingredients with Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence: Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate
COSRX
Shares 7 key ingredients with Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence: Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Betaine, Panthenol, Glycerin
TIRTIR
Shares 7 key ingredients with Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence: Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Betaine
NEOGEN
Shares 7 key ingredients with Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence: Glycerin, Niacinamide, Adenosine, Allantoin, Panthenol
Beauty of Joseon
Shares 7 key ingredients with Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence: Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Allantoin
GALACTOMYCES FERMENT FILTRATE, NIACINAMIDE, PANTHENOL, GLYCERIN, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, BETAINE, SODIUM HYALURONATE, ALLANTOIN, XANTHAN GUM, ETHYL HEXANEDIOL, ADENOSINE.
NIACINAMIDE, PANTHENOL, SODIUM HYALURONATE.
After cleansing and toning, apply a small amount on your entire face. Gently pat using fingertips to aid absorption, and then finish by applying your moisturizers.
Judged on how rich the formula reads from its ingredient list, it suits Combination (oily), Oily skin best. It is the least natural fit for Dry, Combination (dry) skin.
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
One ingredient could feed malassezia: Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate. That describes the yeast's food supply, not a prediction that it will cause a breakout.
Nothing in this formula is on the standard pregnancy-caution list. That is not medical clearance — check anything you use daily with your doctor or midwife.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is fragrance-free.
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is no drying alcohol.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is silicone-free.
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is essential-oil-free.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is paraben-free.
It layers well with Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), Retinoids (retinol, retinal), AHAs (glycolic, lactic), BHA (salicylic acid), PHAs (gluconolactone), Benzoyl peroxide.
Use it morning and evening, after cleansing, before serums.
It lists 12 ingredients, of which 3 are recorded as actives.
COSRX, a brand based in Korea.
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