T'else Kombucha Teatox Essence is a first-step essence with Kombucha extract to hydrate and soften the skin texture.
I purchased T'else Kombucha Teatox Essence together with Hyggee Vegan Sun Cream, Herbloom Calming Days Vegan Sunscreen, Skin1004 Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum, Foretderm Derma Relief Vegan Suncream and others, during a sale. The essence wasn't really in my list, as skincare essence isn't an essential for me in my skincare routine.
A first step essence is a specific type of essence used immediately after cleansing—before toner, serum, or moisturizer. It’s designed to be the very first product that touches your skin post-cleanse, hence the name.
These essences are usually lightweight, watery in texture, and packed with fermented ingredients, hydrating agents, or skin-renewing actives. Their primary purpose is to balance the skin's pH, replenish moisture lost during cleansing, and enhance the effectiveness of the rest of your skincare routine by improving absorption.
First step essences are especially popular in Korean skincare routines, where skin prep is essential to achieving that healthy, radiant "glass skin" look. Ideal for all skin types—especially dull, dehydrated, or tired skin—these essences work quietly but powerfully to boost your skin’s vitality from the very first step.
My last emptied essences were Caudalie Vinoperfect Concentrated Brightening Glycolic Essence and Rovectin Aqua Hyaluronic Essence.
Packaging, Scent and Texture
T'else Kombucha Teatox Essence is housed in a 150ml sturdy glass bottle and a screw-on cap with a minimalistic vibe. The clear sticker label bearing the name and logo feels hastily applied—it tends to peel off easily with repeated use, especially as the bottle gets slick from the oils transferred during application. I actually expected better label packaging quality with the price paid for this essence.
That said, I love the sweet smelling scent however, the slightly runny texture felt somehow oilier than what my skin preferred, leaving a subtle tackiness after application that takes awhile to be absorbed.
How To Use :
At the first step of skincare routine, soak a cotton pad in the essence and gently smooth on the face. Or, take a small amount on the palm and gently pat into the face
Performance and Ingredients
T'else Kombucha Teatox Essence is said to be a gentle hydrating pH-balanced essence made from tea to cover both toner and essence steps and also helps skin tone more even and bright.
The essence has a golden yellow hue and a lightweight consistency, but it tends to leave a subtle, velvety oily film on the skin after application. On my combination skin, especially in Singapore’s humid climate, this finish felt a bit too rich, heavy and uncomfortable. I noticed that applying it with a cotton pad instead of my hands helped reduce the shiny, slick finish, making it feel slightly more breathable.
In terms of hydration, this essence fell short when used on its own. After five consecutive nights, my skin felt parched and even developed slight flakiness—suggesting it’s not quite sufficient as a standalone hydrator. It will work better with a lightweight hydrating moisturiser to balance the "heaviness" of this essence.
However, I did appreciate its calming and soothing properties. When my skin was irritated and flaky from overusing the Sigi Skin Daylight Oasis Vitamin C Brightening Serum, this essence noticeably soothed and reduced redness within just two uses. While it may not deliver lasting moisture, it does have some restorative benefits when your skin barrier is compromised.
The key ingredients are...
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (Green Tea): Rich in antioxidants, soothes skin irritation, and protects against environmental damage.
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate: Improves skin texture, hydrates, and delivers nutrients for healthier, more radiant skin.
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Brightens skin, evens out tone, minimizes pores, and strengthens the skin barrier.
Sodium Hyaluronate & Hyaluronic Acid Complex: Deeply hydrates and locks in moisture, plumping the skin and improving elasticity.
Bifida Ferment Filtrate: Strengthens the skin barrier, protects against damage, and enhances skin repair.
Lactobacillus Ferment & Lysate: Soothes sensitive skin, supports skin balance, and delivers probiotics for healthier skin.
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract: Calms inflammation and irritation while promoting skin healing.
Adenosine: Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improving skin elasticity.
Citrus Extracts and Oils (Bergamot, Orange, Tangerine): Brighten the skin, refresh the complexion, and provide antioxidant protection.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate,Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate,Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Adenosine, Water/Aqua, Citric Acid, Arginine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Oil, Citrus Reticulata(Tangerine) Peel Extract, Cymbopogon Martini Oil
Where To Purchase : Amazon
Conclusion
To conclude, while T'else Kombucha Teatox Essence offers some skin-soothing benefits—especially when dealing with irritation or barrier damage—it falls short in terms of hydration and overall comfort for combination skin in a humid climate.
The slightly oily finish may not be ideal for those prone to shine or congestion, and the lack of lasting moisture makes it difficult to use on its own but work better with a lightweight hydrating moisturiser.
That said, it could still serve as a gentle calming step within a more complete skincare routine, particularly for those with drier or sensitive skin types looking for a barrier-friendly option.
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