Naruko Jing Cheng Platinum Bright Clear Essence Review

Naruko is one of my favorite skincare brands and it is pretty much due to two things, the Miracle Essence and their Tea Tree Line. I have tried a lot of Naruko (see reviews here) ~ Naruko is a Taiwanese skincare brand that is very popular in its homeland! Thankfully, I can purchase it at their Naruko USA or Naruko Canada stores ~ Those are pretty much the same store, but just have USA dollars in the USA store and Canadian dollars in the Canadian store. You can use CouponCode0527 promo code to save 10% off your orders at either Naruko Canada or Naruko USA. I don’t make any commissions off the code, this is just a thank you for my readers. I received both of these products complementary from Naruko in exchange for a review.

Skin Type/Concerns: Oily, blemish prone, dehydrated, aging, hyper-pigmentation, fine lines/wrinkles, pores

Key Ingredients in Platinum Bright Clear Essence

There are a ton of ingredients in Naruko skincare products ~ but for what it is worth, it works for them! I am going to focus on only a few of them, otherwise, I would have to quit my day job and write a novel on all of these ingredients. First up, let’s give it up for tranexamic acid! This ingredient is slowly gaining traction in K-Beauty and Western Skincare, but I can tell you that Taiwanese skincare has been using it for EONS.

Containing 3% tranexamic acid ~ this is a synthetic amino acid derived from lysine, this ingredient is one of the more powerful topical ingredients to reduce hyper-pigmentation. It is also extra gentle, non-irritant, reduces melanin (dark spots), an anti-inflammatory and is safe for all skin types. Niacinamide is a powerful antioxidant that acts as an anti-inflammatory, improves your skin elasticity, enhance the skin barrier function and also it helps to even out skin tone and reduce post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation.

After four years of research, patented SEPIWHITE™MSH was introduced in 2002-2003 and is a lipoamino acid, meaning it has a fatty chain. SEPIWHITE™MSH INCI name is undecylenoyl phenylalanine and it contains tyrosinase inhibitors so melanin production, remains halted or inactive. This will help lighten hyper-pigmented skin, even out skin tone, smooth out skin’s texture and brighten skin for a radiant glow. I learned recently that if I use this with AHA’s, it will really produce faster skin brightening results (source)

Antioxidant ascorbyl glucoside is vitamin C stabilized with glucose and penetrates the skin easily, while brightening the skin and tone. Ascorbyl glucoside really gets amped up when it is formulated or used with nianciamide, which is included in this product! Coix lacryma-jobi na-yuen seed (Job’s Tears/Chinese pearl barley) contain nutrients, vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids. Job’s Tears have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for skin as it helps heal and lighten blemishes, redness and will help soften your skin.

Glycosyl trehalose keeps skin healthy and retains moisture to help your skin from drying out. Anti-inflammatory panthenol helps cellular renewal and is an effective moisturizer. Panthenol is a natural humectant, which retains moisture and hydrates the skin. It also is a good lubricant on the skin, making skin look soft and smooth. Humectants hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, snow fungus and hydrogenated starch hydrolysate help bind moisture to skin.

More skin hydrating and skin protecting, nourishing ingredients come from the ocean ~ Wakame (undaria pinnatifida), Irish Moss (chondrus cripus) and algae laminaria hyperborea. These are rich in alginates, amino acids and fatty acids that will soften and soothe your skin while enhancing and supporting your skin’s moisture barrier. Wakame is especially is potent, as it helps suppress an enzyme hyaluronidase, which will not allow new collagen and elastic to be created, because it is suppresses hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is what keeps your skin elastic, firm and smooth. Wakame will prevent the production of hyaluronidase and therefore, allow your skin to create collagen and elastin. (source)

And of course there is a slew of botanical ingredients, ranging from antioxidant green tea, anti-inflammatory calendula and chamomile, anti-aging wild yam, moisturizing aloe, and exfoliating pineapple as it contains enzyme bromelain, an enzyme that helps eliminate dead cells and toxins. Naruko uses a patented formula consisting of 11 organic plant extracts certified by ECOCERT (France) called Phytoferulin in their products. According to Naruko, Phytoferulin will help prevent hyper-pigmentation and environmental stress to your skin, while being a powerful antioxidant and brightening agent. This complex is very effective in hydrating your skin, yet controlling oil. This blend of 11 concentrated herbal ingredients includes kalanchoe spathulata, glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) root, alpine skullcap (scutellaria alpina), masterwort (peucedanum ostruthium), ginkgo biloba, alps wormwood (artemisia umbelliformis), leontopodium alpinum , alpine willowherb (epilobium fleischeri) , calendula officinalis, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) and camellia sinensis (green tea) extracts.

I can’t keep up with Naruko’s kitchen sink, but let’s just say, whatever they are cooking up in that Taiwanese laboratory, IT WORKS.

Ingredients: Water, Tranexamic Acid, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Chlorphenesin, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Potassium Hydroxide, Glycosyl Trehalose, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Fragrance, Caprylyl Glycol, Ascorbyl Glycolside, Achillea Millefolium Extract , Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Artemisia Umbelliformis Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Citrus Grandis Peel Extract, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Corallina Offficinalis Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract. Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract, Epilobium Fleischeri Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Equisetum Hiemale Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Kalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract, Ledebouriella Divaricata Root Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Malva Sylvestris Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Papain, Peucedanum Ostruthium Leaf Extract, Pisum Sativum (Pea) Extract, Plantago Major Seed Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Extract, Poria Cocos Extract, Prunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Rhodiola Rosea Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Sambucus Nigra Flower, Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract, Scutellaria Alpina Flower/Leaf’/Stem Extract, Thymus Serpyllum Extract, Tilla Cordata Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Triticum Vulgare Protein, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Veronica Officinalis Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Citrus Aurantium Extract (Orange) Peel Oil, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Laminaria Hyperborea Extract, Hydroxypropyl Guar cosDNA

Platinum Bright Clear Essence comes in a frosted plastic bottle with a clear cap and a white pump applicator. It has the same beautiful silver floral logo on the bottle as the Miracle Essence, but that is where the comparisons end. This is a traditional essence, thicker than water and used somewhere between the toner and moisturizer steps.

As this has a watery gel-like ⁣texture, I did do a pH test on it and it is mildly acidic at a 6. This is a solid level and nothing to be concerned about.

This absorbs quickly into my skin, leaving it hydrated and supple, with no greasy or sticky residue. I have found that when I use this with the Miracle Essence, my skin is clearer, more bright, and I do notice freckles and minor light spots and fresh post inflammatory pigmentation fade away.

Bonus Review Recap Naruko La Creme Face Renewal Miracle Essence

I originally wrote this in 2017, and decided to include that review in here with additional updates, as I think both of these products work so well together, like peas & carrots. If Naruko Jing Cheng Platinum Bright Clear Essence is your traditional essence ~ thicker than water and used between the toner and moisturizer steps, then Naruko La Creme Face Renewal Miracle Essence is the other type of essence, called First Treatment Essence (FTE) and is also known as First Essence, Treatment Essence and/or Treatment Toners ~ these are very watery concentrated formulas with fermented ingredients, very nutrient-enriched and it preps your skin, while providing benefits that will help reduce/prevent fine lines and wrinkles, dull and uneven skin tones. These are boosters and provide an instant shot of hydration and nutrients to your skin and prep your skin to accept your other skincare products.

Some of the more famous first essences are SK-II Facial Treatment Essence and Missha impossible long name Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence. I have used other FTE by Benton, Swanicoco and Goodal, among others. This Miracle Essence is made with natural ingredients originally from Taiwan and it will help rejuvenate your skin, along with cellular renewal and bring a radiant glow back to your skin. This has an intense concentration of fermented proprietary formulas.

It contains 94.9% of Ystract™, an anti-oxidant blend of amino acids, vitamins and minerals which will help inhibit melanin production ~ the dark spots ~ help reduce hyper-pigmentation and aid in cellular renewal. It is known for hydration and will keep your skin moist, smooth, bright and firm. Ystract is actually fermented rice extract or lees, and is produced from Nantou, Taiwan. Rice ferment filtrate is a byproduct from making sake. It contains more than 100 amino acids, organic acids, saccharides, vitamins, nucleic acids and esters. Rice ferments, diluted with water, has been used for centuries in Japan as part of a skin care routine, due to its moisturizing abilities from kojic acid. It also will suppress the performance of melanin so that hyper-pigmentation is reduced and your skin tone is brighter. Ferulic acids, a powerful antioxidant, are also found in lees and it helps absorb UV light, which helps prevent skin aging.

Due to its own natural alcohol content, Ystract is an astringent and also contains antibacterial properties to help control blemishes. This also has rice bran extracts in it and that is obtained when rice is polished and it comes from the hard outer layer of the rice seed and contains 15 to 20 percent oil. It has a vast amount of lipids and contains phytic acid, squalene, vitamin E, phytosterols and ferulic acids, which help eradicate free radicals and it contains 44% of omega 6 and 2% omega 3 essential fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation. More fermented goodness in yeast extracts, which will keep your skin moist and will repair your skin while helping protect it, as well as providing oil control and brightening effects.

Actuat E60™ is a blend of 60 natural botanic ingredients, which many are used in Traditional Chinese/Asian Medicine. Many of these ingredients have been researched extensively and studies produced to prove their skincare benefits ~ such as skin tone brightening licorice and mulberry, soothing and anti-inflammatory centella asiatica and chamomile, anti-oxidant and anti-aging ingredients of green tea, ginseng, peony and ginger~ and these are just to name a few! These ingredients will help with brightening, hydrating, firming and toning of your skin.

To help with gentle exfoliation, there are two ingredients in here that specifically serve that purpose ~ Papain is an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacteria enzyme derived from papaya. It will exfoliate your skin without irritation by gently loosening dead skin cells and removing them from your skin. Pineapple is rich in anti-oxidants, vitamin C and amino acids. It also contains manganese, which aids in strengthening your connective skin tissues. Pineapple helps keep skin elastic and firm as it aides in collagen production and is also an anti-inflammatory, helping reduce redness and swelling from blemishes. Pineapple is also a gentle exfoliator as it contains bromelain, an enzyme similar to papaya’s papain. This helps remove excess dirt, dead skin cells and oil, leaving your face fresh and clean. Pineapple can also reduce hyper-pigmentation and fine lines, due to the vitamin C content and leaves your skin hydrated, soft and supple.

Ingredients: Ystract™ (94.9%) (oryza sativa lees extract), purified water, alcohol, glycerin, phenoxyethanol, chlorphenesin, propanediol, yeast extract, sodium lactate, achillea millefolium extract, actinidia chinensis (kiwi) fruit extract, aesculus hippocastanum (horse chestnut) extract, alchemilla vulgaris extract, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, ananas sativus (pineapple) fruit extract, arctium lappa root extract, arnica montana flower extract, artemisia umbelliformis extract, calendula officinalis flower extract, camellia sinensis (green tea) leaf extract, centella asiatica (gotu kola) extract, chamomilla recutita flower extract, chondrus crispus (carrageenan) extract, citrus grandis (grapefruit) peel extract, corallina officinalis (algae) extract, cucumis sativus (cucumber) fruit extract, dioscorea opposita (wild yam) root extract, epilobium fleischeri extract, equisetum arvense (horsetail) extract, equisetum hiemale (horsetail) extract, gingko biloba leaf extract, glycyrrhiza glabra (licoric) root extract, hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) extract, jobs tears (coix lacryma-jobi) water, kalanchoe pinnata leaf extract/kalanchoe spathulata leaf extract, ledebouriella divaricata (fang feng) root extract, leontopodium alpinum (edelweiss) extract, malva sylvestris (mallow) extract, mentha piperita (peppermint) leaf extract, melissa officinalis (lemonbalm) extract, morus alba (mulberry) root extract, narcissus tazetta bulb extract, oryza sativa (rice) bran extract, panax ginseng root extract, papain, peony (paeonia suffruticosa) root extract, peucedanum ostruthium (masterwort) leaf extract, pisum sativum (garden pea) extract, plantago major seed extract, polygonum cuspidatum extract, poria cocos extract, pueraria lobata root extract, rhodiola rosea extract, rosa damascena flower water, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, sakura (prunus yedoensis) leaf extract, salvia officinalis (red sage) leaf extract, sambucus nigra (elderberry) flowers, saxifraga sarmentosa extract, scutellaria alpina flower/leaf/stem extract, snow fungus (tremella fuciformis) extract, thyme (thymus serpillum) extract, tilia cordata (linden) extract, triticum vulgare (wheat) protein, undaria pinnatifida (wakame/seaweed) extract, veronica officinalis (common speedwell) extract, vitis vinifera (grape) fruit extract, willow (salix alba) bark extract, zingiber officinale (ginger) root extract, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, soy amino acids, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate cosDNA

Naruko Miracle Essence comes packaged in a highly reflective silver box which is sealed. All of Naruko’s boxes are sealed and do not have any inner seals with the actual product. The bottle is made from clear, frosted glass with a bright silver cap and has some flowers etched on it. This has a pin hole applicator, which just means you gently tip the product out of the bottle and it will gush out of the bottle if you are not careful. I use my hands to pat this essence onto my skin but you can use a cotton pad.

This is a very watery essence ~ in fact, I would think it is water except for the scent. Which is sake. This smells like sake and no fruitiness, like the Kikumasamune Skincare Lotion. This scent doesn’t bother me one bit ~ in fact, I am always wondering what would happen if I DRANK my Miracle Essence 🙂 However, I do know that some people don’t like sake scents, so don’t worry, the scent disappears quickly. This has a pH level of 4, so it is acidic and will exfoliate your skin. It does absorb into my skin quickly with no sticky residue and leaves my skin feeling refreshed and hydrated.

This product has been a game-changer in my skin care routine ~ my skin looks more radiant, more brighter and it has faded some more recent dark spots and pigmentation. My face doesn’t look as oily when I use this and in fact, my face has a glow-y look right after I apply it ~ not dewy or greasy, but a nice glow ~ very fresh looking. This has been part of my skin care routine for years now and I always keep a back up so I am not without it.

Comparison Textures Video

I did an IGTV on Instagram with the textures. Enjoy!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Michele / KBeauty | Reviews (@colebiancardi)

Final Thoughts and Where to Purchase

If you are willing to spend a little bit more money on your skin care products instead of purchasing really inexpensive so-called brightening products, I do recommend both of these. I just reviewed a K-Beauty “skin brightening” toner and ampoule and it was just a horrible product for me ~ you do get what you pay for and these are fantastic. If you wait for sales, you can really get great deals and stock up on the products.

Naruko USA and Naurko Canada ~ Save 10% by using my promo code of CouponCode0527 either Naruko Canada or Naruko USA. I don’t make any commissions off the code. All prices are in USD

Naruko Jing Cheng Platinum Bright Clear Essence 150 mL $65.00 Naruko USA $66.75 Naruko Canada
Naruko La Creme Face Renewal Miracle Essence 150mL $75.00 (Sale 2 for 25%, 3 for 35% off) Naruko USA $73.50 (sale 1 for 15% off, 2 for 25% off, 3 for 35% off) Naruko Canada

Naruko USA offers flat rate shipping of $6.99 for orders under $74.99 and free shipping for orders over $75.00. Naruko Canada is a bit more complicated so I did a screen shot here of their shipping rates.