Is minimalism in skincare a new trend? elmt Skin Activating Solution and elmt Skin Illuminating Solution review

Monday 20 September 2021

elmt Skin Activating Solution and elmt Skin Illuminating Solution

Elmt is one of the newest Wishtrend's brands. I was able to test elmt Skin Activating Solution and elmt Skin Illuminating Solution to share with you my insight about the new Wishtrend's brand. Can one solution fix all your skincare problems? Is elmt changing customer's routines from going through 10-steps to skincare minimalism? 

elmt Skin Activating Solution

About elmt 

Elmt is a Korean brand in Wishtrend's portfolio and another brand from Wishcompany. Elmt means nothing else than element, when the brand was released, the marketing slogan was "your skin's missing element". The main foundation of the brand is the use of high-quality ingredients and research. The motto is "Skincare Unframed". Elmt is not only focused on your skin but sustainability and ecology. Right now Elmt has only four solutions released. Elmt is a cruelty-free & vegan-friendly brand, all solutions created by the brand are free from silicone oil, artificial scent and colouring.   

elmt Skin Activating Solution and elmt Skin Illuminating Solution

elmt Skin Activating Solution - packaging  

elmt Skin Activating Solution came in a paper box which isn't a paper box. You see, elmt uses EarthPact® which is a tree-free paper. It's a paper created with sugarcane, and it's a sustainable alternative to paper packaging. Such a small detail, but it has huge meaning. I love the texture of the box since it shows a fibre texture - it's not an ideal paper pulp. What's important, this paper is biodegradable! Inside you can see glass bottles - they are also recyclable!   

elmt Skin Activating Solution

elmt Skin Activating Solution - scent & texture  

It's a watery solution that reminds me of a toner, it doesn't have a scent.   

elmt Skin Activating Solution - ingredients  

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Propanediol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Trehalose, Lactobacillus/ Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus/ Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus/ Soybean Ferment Extract, Saccharomyces/ Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate, Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract, Panthenol  

Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract is an antioxidant with enormous popularity and use. You can use it as a moisturizer for both dry and oily skin or as an acne treatment due to its antibacterial properties. Maybe you fight with wrinkles, and you need support? It's an antioxidant, and it can repair your skin after the damage made by UV light (since UVA is helping your skin in aging) and free radicals. Even sensitive skin is a fan of this soothing humectant. Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water is a positive ingredient. Green tea is a source of polyphenols (EGCG), flavonoids and catechins. Elmt also used Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract in this formula, in general, Camellia Sinensis makes 58% of this formula. Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract - we know this herb from Traditional Chinese Medicine. Skullcap Root Extract is an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It can brighten your skin a bit. Scutellaria hides under the name Huang Qin and it helps with inflammation and allergy. Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract makes 14,7% of this formula. Water is an ingredient that you can find in almost every product. Its purpose in products is easy - it's a solvent. Butylene Glycol is a moisturizer and solvent, but it's also alcohol. You see, not every alcohol in skincare is terrible. Some of them have positive effects on your skin - just like Butylene Glycol, which is a popular substance even in eco/green cosmetic products. Glycerin is one of the most popular humectants in skincare. There's a large number of myths around glycerin like it can clog your skin. It doesn't clog your pores, but too much glycerin can make a sticky layer on the epidermis and even make your skin dryer than before due to TEWL (Transepidermal Water Loss). Still, it's an ingredient that we want to see in formulas. Dipropylene Glycol is a solvent. It feels like 1,2-Hexanediol is everywhere, and it's not a surprise. Even if it's a solvent, it's also a moisturizer. Hydroxyacetophenone reminds me of acetone than an antioxidant, but it is an antioxidant that keeps our products fresh and protects ingredients from oxidation. Propanediol is a solvent with moisturizing properties. Similar to Cyclohexasiloxane, Propylene Glycol is an ingredient that some people try to avoid. You're most likely to see Propanediol instead of Propylene Glycol in an organic skincare product, and the reason for this change is simple. Ecocert recommends it. I like Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate more in skincare than as food. Is a soothing plant related to your least favourite candy - Licorice! It works as an anti-inflammatory ingredient, but it has positive meaning for acne-prone skin. In general, Licorice can brighten your skin and help with acne. I wouldn't expect a lot from Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, but I think that adding it to this formula was a great move. Trehalose is sugar and another moisturizer in this formula. Lactobacillus/ Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate is a fermented pear juice developed with the use of gram-positive lactic acid bacteria. I have to admit that I did a small research and I can only assume which ingredient the brand used, but this solution can work as a mild exfoliant - usually, mild exfoliants work more as moisturizing substances than actual exfoliants. In aesthetic medicine, we use a minimum of 10% solution of AHA to get exfoliating properties of AHA acids. Lactobacillus/ Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract or Pomegranate Enzyme. I like to use enzyme peels in skincare to remove dead skin cells more gently, Lactobacillus/ Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract has exfoliating properties as well, but do not expect anything strong, it's a solution that should fit sensitive skin type. Panthenol is nothing else than Pro-vitamin B5, a soothing moisturizer with positive meaning to the skin barrier. It speeds up the healing process.   

elmt Skin Illuminating Solution

elmt Skin Illuminating Solution - packaging  

It's cheating but elmt Skin Illuminating Solution is made the same way as elmt Skin Activating Solution and other solutions. Elmt uses EarthPact® a tree-free paper box and recyclable green bottles for all solutions.  

elmt Skin Illuminating Solution

elmt Skin Illuminating Solution - scent & texture  

It's a watery solution that reminds me of a toner, it doesn't have a scent or at least I can't smell it.   

elmt Skin Illuminating Solution

elmt Skin Illuminating Solution - ingredients  

Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Water, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Trehalose, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Panthenol, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Resveratrol, Cyanocobalamin  

Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Water is a moisturizing solution. Grape in skincare has antimicrobial and antifungal properties, but it's a source of flavonoids, resveratrol, tartaric and malic acid as well. Still, fruit water is a good hydrating ingredient for your skin. According to the brand, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Water and Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Fruit Extract make 51,91% of elmt Skin Illuminating Solution, this duo boosts collagen production, but can also boost skin cell turnover process which is positive since with age cell turnover process takes longer. It might even make your pores look smaller - it does not shrink your pores since pores can't shrink, but it can make them appear smaller than they are. Butylene Glycol is a moisturizer and solvent, but it's also alcohol. You see, not every alcohol in skincare is terrible. Some of them have positive effects on your skin - just like Butylene Glycol, which is a popular substance even in eco/green cosmetic products. Niacinamide is a miracle ingredient. It does lots of great work. Do you have problems with dark spots? Try Niacinamide! Acne? Niacinamide will be an ideal pick for you too! Maybe you've got issues with the skin barrier? Solve it with Niacinamide! Wrinkles? You might want to try Niacinamide as well. Sensitive skin might find Niacinamide a bit problematic when it's mixed with Vitamin C or used in the same routine as Vitamin C. I can't deny Niacinamide is a skincare treasure! elmt uses 10% solution of Niacinamide. Water is an ingredient that you can find in almost every product. Its purpose in products is easy - it's a solvent. Glycerin is one of the most popular humectants in skincare. There's a large number of myths around glycerin like it can clog your skin. It doesn't clog your pores, but too much glycerin can make a sticky layer on the epidermis and even make your skin dryer than before due to TEWL (Transepidermal Water Loss). Still, it's an ingredient that we want to see in formulas. 

elmt Skin Illuminating Solution

Dipropylene Glycol is a solvent. 1,2-Hexanediol is a solvent and a moisturizer. Hydroxyacetophenone reminds me of acetone than an antioxidant, but it is an antioxidant that keeps our products fresh and protects ingredients from oxidation. Trehalose is sugar and another moisturizer in this formula. Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract is an antioxidant with antifungal and antimicrobial properties. It's a source of flavonoids, resveratrol, tartaric and malic acid. Panthenol is nothing else than Pro-vitamin B5, a soothing moisturizer with positive meaning to the skin barrier. It speeds up the healing process. Xanthan Gum is a thickener and stabilizer which you can find in food and skincare. Allantoin is a powerful ingredient in skincare, and I think we all know it since the early days. My family didn't imagine my childhood without this cream. Allantoin derives from comfrey, and it has soothing properties, but it also speeds up the healing process, which makes it ideal for acne-prone skin and sensitive skin. Resveratrol is an antioxidant found in grapes. We all know what antioxidants do - they fight free radicals and fix damage created by them, UV light and the environment. Cyanocobalamin or vitamin B12 is not so popular in skincare, we all associate this vitamin with the one vitamin that vegans and vegetarians have problems with. Vitamin B12 like all vitamins have an important role in our bodies, it helps us function. During my med school, I was told to avoid B12 in skincare if you have acne, but for mature skin, this vitamin can make it look better.   

elmt Skin Illuminating Solution

elmt Skin Illuminating Solution - how does it work?  

Let's start with Skin Illuminating Solution since it was the first solution used by me. I have to admit that elmt has a nice feeling as a brand, even if Wishtrend has another brand in its offer currently targetted to Gen Z, I feel like actually elmt fits Gen Z more, since lots of different articles and work define Gen Z as the one who looks for more sustainable solutions. My review is going to be short because my skin is quite sensitive to Niacinamide. Even if elmt Skin Illuminating Solution contains 10% of Niacinamide, I didn't spot as much redness on my skin while using it as with other solutions. I guess antioxidants found in this product might also help a bit with this problem. I'm not a fan of water-like toners, I'm sorry but the K-beauty industry made me into a thick toner fanatic. Overall, it's not a bad solution, but I wouldn't tell you it's a cult product - it's a product which doesn't have bad sides, it has many positive sides related to healthy and pro-environmental choices, but this formula won't be a revolution in your skincare. Still, if you want to choose vegan products or use more environment-friendly solutions, it's a brand for you.   

elmt Skin Illuminating Solution and elmt Skin Activating Solution

elmt Skin Activating Solution - how does it work?  

elmt Skin Activating Solution is very similar to elmt Skin Illuminating Solution. It got my heart with a green glass bottle, sugarcane paper and social media marketing. What I love the most about it - it has some mild exfoliants and calming ingredients which I was able to use with Aklief - a 4th gen retinoid. It made my skin sensitive to everything, but solutions from elmt work for me since they have no artificial scents and my main problem is alcohol, citric acid and artificial scents or even essential oils when I use Aklief. I've been testing both solutions for quite a long time - you can check that on Instagram yourself. I didn't see any magical changes in my skin, this solution doesn't make magic, but it's a good product for everyday use. Still, I'm more a fan of thick toners.   

elmt Skin Activating Solution & elmt Skin Illuminating Solution - price & where to buy?  

Both solutions elmt Skin Activating Solution & elmt Skin Illuminating Solution are available on Wishtrend, they cost 20$ each for 150ml. PAO date is 12 months after opening. I recommend you checking Promocode tab at the top of the website for current Wishtrend promo codes.  

elmt Skin Activating Solution and elmt Skin Illuminating Solution

OTHER ELMT PRODUCTS  

Elmt has 2 other solutions available, we will quickly go through them.   

elmt Gentle Exfoliating Solution  

Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract, Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Trehalose, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Panthenol, Allantoin  

Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract mixed with Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract creates superberry complex (according to elmt). The brand used 49% of superberry complex - an antioxidant complex to protect your skin from free radicals and fix damage created by them. Water is an ingredient that you can find in almost every product. Its purpose in products is easy - it's a solvent. Glycerin is one of the most popular humectants in skincare. There's a large number of myths around glycerin like it can clog your skin. It doesn't clog your pores, but too much glycerin can make a sticky layer on the epidermis and even make your skin dryer than before due to TEWL (Transepidermal Water Loss). Still, it's an ingredient that we want to see in formulas. Butylene Glycol is a moisturizer and solvent, but it's also alcohol. You see, not every alcohol in skincare is terrible. Some of them have positive effects on your skin - just like Butylene Glycol, which is a popular substance even in eco/green cosmetic products. It feels like 1,2-Hexanediol is everywhere, and it's not a surprise. Even if it's a solvent, it's also a moisturizer. I like Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate more in skincare than as food since this ingredient is related to your least favourite candy, but a very soothing plant - Licorice! It works as an anti-inflammatory ingredient, but it has positive meaning for acne-prone skin. In general, Licorice can brighten your skin and help with acne. I wouldn't expect a lot from Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, but I think that adding it to this formula was a great move. Trehalose is sugar and another moisturizer in this formula. The basic form of Vitamin C is Ascorbyl Acid. 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is a Vitamin C on steroids. Ascorbyl Acid has many flaws, it's not an ideal ingredient since it has problems with stability. It oxidizes quickly, that's why we got different forms of Vitamin C in skincare and 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is one of them. 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid comes as a white, water-soluble powder. It's an antioxidant, it can help fix what free radicals and UV radiation destroyed. Vitamin C in this form can brighten your dull skin. Vitamin C stimulates your skin to produce more collagen and slow down the aging process. 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is suitable for sensitive skin, plus the power of this Vitamin C is probably one of the best ones from all Vit C forms. Lactic Acid is a mild AHA exfoliant. Glycolic Acid is probably the most intense chemical exfoliator from the AHA group because it's a lightweight acid. What does that mean? It can penetrate your skin effortlessly than other AHA acids. Brands obtain it from sugar cane, sugar beets or cantaloupe. It's a water-soluble acid, but alcohol is exceptional too. Depends on concentration, Glycolic Acid can be a weak peel and a good moisturizer or a heavy peel. It increases the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans - they keep your skin hydrated. Glycolic Acid removes the dead cells from your skin to keep it fresh, bright and soft. It removes dark spots and helps with wrinkles because it can boost collagen production. It can even make your skin thicker and improve blood circulation in the skin. It works better at a low pH, and not every person will like it. Sensitive skin might have problems with Glycolic Acid - usually Glycolic Acid hurts my skin even in low concentrations. It's an active ingredient that might cause purging - it's like a breakout after using a new product, after a few days of using Glycolic Acid - purging should end. Sensitive skin might prefer AHA cousin - PHA. We shouldn't use Glycolic Acid during the summer and if you do Glycolic Acid treatments - sunscreen is a must! Unless you want to see more dark spots on your skin since your skin after a chemical peel doesn't contain a layer of dead skin, so it's more vulnerable to damage from the environment like UVB & UVA. Panthenol is nothing else than Pro-vitamin B5, a soothing moisturizer with positive meaning to the skin barrier. It speeds up the healing process. Allantoin is a powerful ingredient in skincare, and I think we all know it since the early days. My family didn't imagine my childhood without this cream. Allantoin derives from comfrey, and it has soothing properties, but it also speeds up the healing process, which makes it ideal for acne-prone skin and sensitive skin.   

I read many reviews of this product and what makes it interesting - elmt Gentle Exfoliating Solution is probably the most interesting solution for acne-prone & sensitive skin. I would even recommend it to teenagers. Lots of users of this solution claim it to be a gentle exfoliator, even if other exfoliating products didn't work for you, this one might be a mild but active solution your skin needs.   

elmt Skin Illuminating Solution and elmt Skin Activating Solution

elmt Advanced Calming Solution  

Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Water, Centella Asiatica Leaf/ Stem Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Propanediol, Pullulan, Trehalose, Panthenol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Allantoin, Pentylene Glycol, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Centella Asiatica Root Extract  

elmt uses Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Centella Asiatica Root Extract and Centella Asiatica Leaf/ Stem Extract. Centella Asiatica Extract is an ingredient that stays in skincare trend. Lots of ingredients used in skincare have a long history of use in medicine. This ingredient isn't different because Centella is a part of Ayurveda, a traditional (or if you prefer - alternative) medicine used by people for ages. Nowadays we associate it with India. Centella is a herb primarily applied in skincare for its healing properties. It speeds up the healing process, and that's why acne-prone skin loves it. If you're pregnant or you plan pregnancy, then try to find body care products with Centella Asiatica because it can have a valuable meaning on skin elasticity as well as stretch marks. According to elmt, Advanced Calming Solution is based on 59,12% of Centella Asiatica. Water is an ingredient that you can find in almost every product. Its purpose in products is easy - it's a solvent. Butylene Glycol is a moisturizer and solvent, but it's also alcohol. You see, not every alcohol in skincare is terrible. Some of them have positive effects on your skin - just like Butylene Glycol, which is a popular substance even in eco/green cosmetic products. Glycerin is one of the most popular humectants in skincare. There's a large number of myths around glycerin like it can clog your skin. It doesn't clog your pores, but too much glycerin can make a sticky layer on the epidermis and even make your skin dryer than before due to TEWL (Transepidermal Water Loss). Still, it's an ingredient that we want to see in formulas. It feels like 1,2-Hexanediol is everywhere, and it's not a surprise. Even if it's a solvent, it's also a moisturizer. Dipropylene Glycol is a solvent. Hydroxyacetophenone reminds me of acetone than an antioxidant, but it is an antioxidant that keeps our products fresh and protects ingredients from oxidation. Propanediol is a solvent with moisturizing properties. Similar to Cyclohexasiloxane, Propylene Glycol is an ingredient that some people try to avoid. You're most likely to see Propanediol instead of Propylene Glycol in an organic skincare product, and the reason for this change is simple. Ecocert recommends it. Pullulan is a vegan-friendly polymer derived from Aureobasidium pullulans. This fungus has moisturizing effect. Trehalose is sugar and another moisturizer in this formula. Panthenol is nothing else than Pro-vitamin B5, a soothing moisturizer with positive meaning to the skin barrier. It speeds up the healing process. Biosaccharide Gum-1 is a polysaccharide. It derivates from Sorbitol and is related to the fermentation process. It's a powerful humectant. Allantoin is a powerful ingredient in skincare, and I think we all know it since the early days. My family didn't imagine my childhood without this cream. Allantoin derives from comfrey, and it has soothing properties, but it also speeds up the healing process, which makes it ideal for acne-prone skin and sensitive skin. Pentylene Glycol is a humectant with antimicrobial properties. Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide is a mushroom also known as snow mushroom or silver ear mushroom. It's an edible mushroom and polysaccharide, it has beneficial meaning for your skin - since it's a sugar, it can help with the moisture of the skin. Ethylhexylglycerin is a preservative. It keeps products fresh.   

elmt Advanced Calming Solution is another interesting product, but this one is focused the most on skin moisture. Be careful when you choose this one solution since it's easy to mistake Advanced Calming Solution with Skin Activating Solution.

elmt Skin Illuminating Solution

Where to buy elmt?  

All elmt solutions are available on Wishtrend for $20.  

Overall, elmt is an affordable brand with clean practice and a focus on sustainability. It's not a bad brand, but the solutions are more for people who want good products for long run skincare routine than ones that expect magic from their routine. Is it worth a try? Totally! Elmt is an experience which you should try at least once in your life.

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*** This post was made in a collaboration with Wishtrend even though it still shows my personal opinion on the topic and product. This post contains affiliate links, they help me pay for my domain and cost related to blogging. ***

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