By Wishtrend Quad Active Boosting Essence review
Written By Jenny Wu on
My experience with By Wishtrend’s products have been a hit or miss. So even though I’m a fan of essences, my hopes for the new By Wishtrend Quad Active Boosting Essence were not high.
Key Points
- Features 46.4% known skin soothing ingredients
- Light texture absorbs easily and feels comfortable on all skin types.
- Not too hydrating and offers no anti-aging benefits, so it’s best for those who want an anti-inflammatory boost
Overview
What is it
This essence is recommended as a serum booster that contains ‘Quad Active’ Ingredients that are widely known to help with anti-inflammatory, anti-pollution, and anti-bacterial effects to maintain your skin to stay healthy and lively.
How I use it
Since this is technically a serum, I use it after my first essence/toner step but before my thicker serums (read more about how to properly layer products). I pour some into the palm of my hands and gently pat into the skin until absorbed. May repeat 1-2x if extra hydration is desired.
Best suited for
Sensitive and/or acne-prone skin due to the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial ingredients.
Packaging
A luxurious glass jar with a gold cap. Looks and feels like a high-end product!
Scent
Fragrance-free.
Texture
Water like, but with a tiny bit of slip. Feels like your typical lightweight hydrating essence.
Finish
Natural with no noticeable shine or stickiness for my dry/combo skin.
Where to buy
$23 for 100ml on Wishtrend and Yesstyle (use code GEEKYPOSH for 5% off)
Ingredients Highlight
full analysis here
Given the product name, By Wishtrend is saying that this essence contains 4 actives, which is slightly misleading because one of these 4 is actually a combination of another 3 actives! Let’s take a closer took:
3 Complex ingredients
- Morus Alba (Mulberry) Bark Extract contains components like tannins, polyphenols, resveratrol, and flavonoid that provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and brightening benefits.
- Nelumbo Nucifera (Lotus) Leaf Extract showed brightening, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory effects in a few studies1,2. Promising, but requires more research to prove its effects.
- Schisandra Chinensis (Magnolia) Fruit Extract is another anti-inflammatory ingredient that can also help inhibit acne growth and UVB induced damage3. It’s also full of polysaccharides, polyphenols, and flavonoids that provide antioxidant benefits.
Willow Bark Extract is frequently used for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. It also contains salicin, which can be converted to the BHA salicylic acid when ingested, however topical conversion is questionable at best.
Centaurea Cyanus Flower (Cornflower) Water contains polysaccharides with anti-inflammatory properties4. But keep in mind the benefits are mainly from the flower, which means the flower water will not be as potent due to it being diluted.
Propolis, one of 3 skincare ingredients sourced from bees, is well known for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties5.
Have you noticed a recurring theme yet? All of these ingredients are anti-inflammatory, meaning they can help calm redness and soothe irritated or damaged skin. Adding up the % of these actives, you’re getting at least 46.4% of ingredients that are known to soothe your skin!
In addition to the 7 actives listed above, this essence also contains fermented black tea and fermented honey. These ingredients are already known for their antioxidant and soothing properties, but the fermentation process breaks down the actives into components that are more easily absorbed by our skin. So think of these 2 as black tea and honey on steroids!
Usage Experience
The By Wishtrend Quad Active Boosting Essence is a beautiful product on paper and on my vanity. Great ingredients, great texture, and generally great usage experience from beginning to end.
However my skin is not prone to breakouts nor redness, so I’m not able to see nor reap the full anti-inflammatory benefits this essence has to offer. For my skin type, this is a mildly hydrating essence that’s nice to use but offers no long-term benefits. Again, ymmv.
Compared to other essences…
The By Wishtrend Quad Active Boosting Essence is one of the most underwhelming product I’ve tried. Again, it really doesn’t do anything for my skin other then adding some hydration, but what product doesn’t do that?
If you don’t have acne-prone or easily irritated skin, I recommend the following essences instead:
- Neogen Real Ferment Micro Essence* for brightening. It’s a great affordable dupe to the expensive SK-II!
- Innisfree Firming Energy Essence with Fermented Soybean* for plump and bouncy skin. This one has a more viscous, but still pleasant texture.
- SK-II Facial Treatment Essence is still a classic and my all-time favorite for brightening and refining the skin. Reviewed here along with other SK-II products.
- Klairs Midnight Blue Youth Activating Drops is an excellent option if you want something with soothing and anti-aging benefits. I’ve noticed overall skin improvements with this one. Reviewed here.
Want to check out more facial essence reviews? I’ve tested 17 essences, and here are the best ones
Final Verdict
-
Packaging
8.5
-
Ingredients
8.5
-
Texture/Application
9
-
Performance
6
-
Price
8
Unless you have acne-prone or sensitive skin types, this essence is nothing to sing home about. It's not bad, but with so many product options available, this is average in comparison. Again, this is based on my skin type which is neither prone to irritations or breakouts, so ymmv.
Article Sources
To keep my content accurate and trustworthy, I rely on peer-reviewed studies, articles from reputable academic institutions, and quotes from certified healthcare professionals to back my claims.
Lee, Sun-Sook, et al. “The Improvement Effect of Lotus Leaf Extracts on Acne Skin.” Kor J Aesthet Cosmetol, vol. 10, no. 2, Korea Institute of Dermatological Sciences, 2012, pp. 405–13, e-ajbc.org/journal/view.php?number=159.
Kim, Tagon, et al. “Nelumbo Nucifera Extracts as Whitening and Anti-Wrinkle Cosmetic Agent.” ResearchGate, Springer Verlag, Feb. 2011, www.researchgate.net/publication/251083924_Nelumbo_nucifera_extracts_as_whitening_and_anti-wrinkle_cosmetic_agent.
Guo, Miaomiao, et al. “Inhibitory Effects of Schisandra Chinensis Extract on Acne-Related Inflammation and UVB-Induced Photoageing.” Pharmaceutical Biology, vol. 54, no. 12, June 2016, pp. 2987–94, https://doi.org/10.1080/13880209.2016.1199041.
Garbacki, Nancy, et al. “Anti-Inflammatory and Immunological Effects of Centaurea Cyanus Flower-Heads.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology, vol. 68, no. 1-3, Dec. 1999, pp. 235–41, https://doi.org/10.1016/s0378-8741(99)00112-9.
Pasupuleti, Visweswara Rao, et al. “Honey, Propolis, and Royal Jelly: A Comprehensive Review of Their Biological Actions and Health Benefits.” Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, vol. 2017, 2017, pp. 1–21, https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/1259510.
Passionate about science-based skincare. Tested hundreds if not thousands of products since my 20's. Working regularly with brands like iHerb, Ulta, CurrentBody, and MedStar Health to share my knowledge and experience in all things beauty. Learn more.
Skin profile: 35+, dry/combination, focused on well-aging, hydration, and a healthy glow ✨
Comments & Questions
Jennifer
That's disappointing because it sounds like it should be amazing!
Jennifer
Curated by Jennifer</
Anne
Okay, that ingredient list didn’t get me excited either, so even for my acneic skin I will probqbly follow your led here and reach for something else.
Anne from Doctor Anne
Shireen L. Platt
This essence doesn't do anything on its own for my skin but when mixed with Secret Key FTE, the combo is amazing!