Secret Key vs Su:m37° — side by side, no bias.
Our pick
Secret Essence
8.8/10 · Su:m37°
| Starting Treatment Essence | Secret Essence | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Secret Key | Su:m37° |
| Category | essence | essence |
| Editor Rating | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 ★ |
| Category | essence | essence |
| Texture | Water-thin clear essence | Clear watery essence |
| Finish | Luminous, brightened | Luminous absorbed |
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| Verdict | The $19 bottle that's been selling against SK-II Pitera for 15 years. 94% galactomyces ferment filtrate — the same fermented-yeast active SK-II built an empire on — in a water-thin essence format at a tenth of the price. Not identical to Pitera (the strain, fermentation process, and supporting formulation differ), but functionally very close. For fermented-essence curious people on a budget, this is the bottle. | LG's answer to SK-II Pitera — a naturally fermented essence that takes 50+ days in controlled fermentation tanks. The glow is real, the texture is water-thin, and the ferment is genuinely different from galactomyces. If SK-II is the J-beauty first treatment essence, Su:m37° is the K-beauty equivalent. |
