So when I fell into the wonderful world of korean skin care, one of the most used buzzwords was essence and my first reaction was- WTF is an essence?🤔🤔🤔
Known as the heart of the Korean Skin care regimen, Essence is essentially (pardon the pun), any product with the aim to hydrate the skin and prepare it for any subsequent products you use. It’s more than a toner and is packed with more active ingredients.
So then how are they any different from serums?
Well they are formulated to be lightweight and are water based to make them easier to absorb. While serums tend to have a thicker consistency and have even more potent ingredients.
Though there are a quite few essences available that are more viscous and even spot treatment essences- blurring the lines between essences and serums.
What essence aims to do is pretty simple: HYDRATE
Well hydrated skin is supple, plump and in general healthier. That’s what toning and essence aim to do, namely hydrate the skin and prepare the skin for the better absorption for subsequent steps products like serum and moisturizer.
How to Use:
I personally use this just after cleansing and toning.
You can either use a cotton pad or apply it directly using your hands.
Just gently tap it onto your face, Don’t rub it in. I personally prefer the latter coz the cotton pads soak up the essence and that way your just wasting it.
Apart from my nightly skincare routine, I use essence multiple times a day. Whenever my skin needs a pick me up- I wipe it off with (insert skin wipe) and slap on essence.
So which is the right essence for you?
Well that depends on your skin care needs.
As I mentioned before - all essences aimed to hydrate but they also are packed with ton of highly active ingredients.
For dull skin with uneven skin tone look for an essence with Niacinamide Like the Missha Time Revolution First Treatment Essence.
Acne troubles ??pick the nature republic bee venom mist essence or the Innisfree green tea fresh essence
Pesky large pores - pick up Mizon Skin Turnaround pore refine silky essence.
And if you multiple concerns and want one that does it all SK-II Facial Essence, with PITERA (50 micro nutrients) to help even skin tone, firm, reduce wrinkles and brighten.
My top picks:
SK-II facial Essence- the miracle worker, it does it all. After all it is benchmark, all other essences are measure up to (regular or spot treatment).
The missha First treatment essence, intense moist: Like the SK-II it does it all but at a fraction of the price.
Nature republic bee venom mist essence
Mizon Skin turnaround pore refine silky essence for those pesky pores
Innisfree TrueCare CICA Essence Pad for sensitive skin
Innisfree green tea fresh essence get it at yestsyle
Mizon Water Volume Ex first Essence.get it here
What ever your skin care concerns are, there is an essence for you.
