Do I Really Need An Essence For My Skincare Routine?
Are you a K-pop or K-drama fanatic? If yes, then you must have heard about essence. Essence skincare is one of the most popular skincare products in the Korean beauty industry.
But what is the essence, and do I really need an essence for my skincare routine, even if I am not Korean? The answer is yes. Essence is a hydrating liquid that has become incredibly popular in the market and is used by millions today.
In this article, we are going to discuss what essence does, how to apply it, when to apply it (day or night), and which skin types it suits best. This article will cover everything you need to know about Essence skincare.
What Is An Essence For Skincare And Do I Really Need An Essence For My Skincare Routine
Essence is a water-based skincare product that is meant to be applied on the skin directly or sprayed on it.
Essence skin care is composed of natural active ingredients rather than harsh chemicals that may harm the skin. These natural ingredients are water, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, plant extracts, and some important nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and lipids.
What Is Essence Skincare Used For?
What does essence do? Essence skincare is used to make your skin look plump, hydrated, moisturized, and clean. Essence skincare is majorly used for the hydration of the skin cells and it is best applied after a full day of makeup, restores moisture, and enhances the skin’s glow.
What Is Essence Skincare Composed Of?
Essence skincare is composed of natural ingredients which is why it is suitable for every skin type.
Natural ingredients include:
- Hyaluronic acid that helps plump the skin and serves as a hydrator,
- Plant extracts and niacinamide have anti-inflammatory properties hence beneficial for the acne-prone skin.
- Specific vitamins like vitamins C and E are important for the nourishment of the skin cells and the anti-inflammation properties of these vitamins reduce redness and acne.
When To Apply Essence?
You might wonder when to use essence in a skincare routine or when to use essence day or night? These questions are rightly answered in this article. Essence skincare is a product that can be applied during the day or night, depending on your choice. Essence skincare is suitable for use in the earlier steps of your skincare routine.
Now let’s answer the common question which is how to use essence. It is best applied after cleaning the whole face with cleanser and applying some toner. After this step, you can apply the essence either directly or spray on your face. If you are directly applying it onto your skin then gently tap the product, and avoid rubbing it in. This step will allow the skin cells to regain their hydration. After this, you can apply your usual toner and moisturizer. Applying them after the essence of skin care will make the toner and moisturizer absorb perfectly into the skin.
Here is the step-by-step guidance on how to apply essence:
- Apply some cleanser and toner
- After this, add a few drops of essence into your palm or on the cotton pads
- Gently tap the product onto your face (for better absorption)
- To maximize hydration, you can layer twice, especially in drier climates.
- Followed by serum and/or moisturizer
Can We Use Essence For Oily Skin?
Essence is a product that is not specific to only one or a few skin types. Essence skincare is composed of plant-based and natural ingredients that make it accessible to every skin type, be it oily or dry. Essence is only meant to apply hydration and protection to the skin, which is needed by people of all skin types. Essence is a K-beauty product, and Koreans usually have oily skin. Essence skincare is an important step in the 10-step Korean skincare routine, making it suitable for people with oily skin as well. So, the answer is yes, you can use essence even if your skin is oily.
Benefits Of Essence For Specific Skin Type:
Dry Skin:
Dehydrated skin requires more moisture than usual. Applying a good essence will help achieve more hydrated skin in a few minutes. Essence skincare will lock in moisture and will make your dry skin look radiant and fresh.
Oily Skin:
Selecting the correct essence for oily skin is important because oily skin has an increased amount of sebum production, especially in the T-zone area. Selecting essences for oily skin (Korean) with ingredients that reduce excess sebum production and buildup will help the skin look bright and shiny and not oily. It will also allow pores to minimize and absorb essence better.
Sensitive Skin:
People with sensitive skin often have difficulty selecting skincare products that don’t aggravate the inflammation or redness in the skin. Choosing an essence that has anti-inflammatory ingredients may reduce these conditions and will soothe the redness and inflammation of the skin by incorporating proper hydration into the skin cells.
Aging/Mature Skin:
Aging skin is one of the major concerns in today’s time. Essence skin care products have a wide variety that has active natural ingredients that are specifically for this skin type. Look for an essence that has ingredients that have anti-aging properties, and reduce wrinkles and dark spots on the skin.
Lastly, essence skincare is a product that can be used by any skin type to provide a good layer of hydration but choosing an essence that aligns with your skin would be cherry on top.
What Is The Difference Between Serum And Essence
Serum is a thicker and viscous skincare product that penetrates deep into the skin, unlike essence. Essence and serum both contain active natural ingredients but the difference is consistency and penetration. Essence only provides hydration to the skin while serum digs deep into the skin to give moisture. Serums are also tailor-made for particular skin issues like aging, dark spots, etc. whereas essence can be used for every skin type.
What Is The Difference Between Essence And Toner?
Toner and essence visually look the same, and sometimes you might get confused buying the two. But the functions of essence and toner are quite different. Toner is a product that you use to cleanse your skin deeply after cleansing. Toner is an alcohol-based skincare product that helps your skin have better complexing and tighten pores. Whereas in essence skin care is not an alcohol-based product and it provides hydration to the skin. The toner is also a skincare product that is skin-specific. It comes in a variety of ranges for oily skin, dry skin, combination skin, etc. while essence skincare is appropriate for every skin.
Best Korean Essence Skincare:
Here is a list of some of the best Korean essence skin care that you can incorporate into your skincare routine to achieve the famous Korean glass skin.
Missha Time Revolution The First Essence 5X:
This is one of the affordable and best Korean essences. It is composed of niacinamide and adenosine. These two active ingredients help reduce wrinkles and dark spots on the skin. It is suitable for all skin types, especially for sensitive skin.
Aestura Atobarrier 365 Hydro Essence:
This one is best for dry skin, as it contains BMF, lipids, and Vitamin E that reduce the dryness of the skin, especially during winter.
Beauty of Joseon Glow Replenishing Rice Milk
This is best for the oily to combination skin because it contains sebum-controlling powders. The hero ingredient for this essence is rice extracts and rice amino acids that soften and hydrate your pores. This is one of the best Korean essences for combination skin.
MEDIPEEL Extra Super 9 Plus Pore Tox Ampoule:
This Korean skincare essence is for oily skin girlies which control oil production. It has AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) that dissolves the excess sebum without harsh squeezing or exfoliating the skin. It also includes niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and Salicylic acid, which helps the skin soothe without any sebum buildup and hydrates gently.
Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner:
In K-beauty toner and essence are used interchangeably. This essence is specifically beneficial for sensitive skin. The key ingredient is Astragalus membranaceus root extract. This is one of the most selling essences worldwide. It locks in hydration for up to 24 hours, which is a good amount of time till the second application. It removes dead skin cells and eliminates excess sebum buildup and also has anti-inflammatory properties making it ideal for sensitive skin and one more option as Korean essence for oily skin as well.
Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water
Ginseng is one of the famous ingredients used for skincare in Korea. It is a two-in-one product that hydrates the skin like essence and balances the skin like a toner. It has ingredients like niacinamide that helps minimize the pores and brightens the skin and BHA helps in gentle exfoliation of the skin. This is best for the textured skin people.
Mixsoon Soondy Centella Asiatica Essence:
This is one of the most lightweight and fluid formulas on this list. You can apply multiple layers of this without feeling sticky, particularly in the summer. This formula has water, butylene glycol (a common moisturizing and conditioning ingredient), and cica. It is another good option for the sensitive skin.
Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
This has gained immense popularity over the years because it is said to be the essence that provides the popular “Korean Glass Skin”. In this formula, it has sticky snail mucin, making the essence viscous in consistency. This essence restores skin and reduces aging signs while reducing dryness.
FAQs
Is essence necessary in skincare?
Essence is necessary to restore hydration to your skin. It hydrates the skin without any chemicals like parabens and sulfates. If you still wonder, “Do I really need an essence for my skincare routine?” You should try using essence to make your skin healthier and plumper.
Can I skip Essence in my skincare routine?
It depends on your choice, but adding essence to your skincare will benefit your skin in ways that skipping cannot. Beauticians believe that it gives your skin the ingredients to glow and stay fresh.
Can I use serum without essence?
Applying essence before the serum will help absorb the serum more efficiently into the skin. You can use serum without essence, but without it won’t penetrate as well as with it.
At what age should I start using Essence?
Essence is suitable for all ages but it is recommended in the early 20s and 30s because your skin needs extra care in this era of life. In the teens your skin is young, gentle cleansing and moisturizing would be enough by then.
Do I need an essence if I have a toner?
Essence and toner are two different things even though they look similar. toner only cleanses and tightens the pores but essence will hydrate it. So, it is better to apply toner and essence both.
Is essence more important than serum?
Both have their importance in the skincare routine. The serum penetrates the skin to provide moisture and is used along with moisturizer to lock in. However, the essence will help your dehydrated skin look glowing and radiant by providing hydration to the skin.
Can I use essence and serum together?
Essence should be applied first because it will allow serum to absorb properly into the skin. It is ideal to layer essence first then followed by serum for better absorption and hydration.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while essence may not be an absolute necessity to be included in the skincare routine, but its hugely beneficial. It gives your skin not just another layer of hydration, but also makes your skin feel plump, radiant, and healthier than before. Essence, being a skincare product that can be used by any type of skin, makes it an inclusive product for anyone who wants to make their skin look just hydrated.
Moreover, if you are looking for a radiant complexion, essence is the only product that can elevate your skincare game. In the end, if you want to level up your skincare game, incorporating essence into your skincare routine will work the best for you. Lastly, if you want to elevate your lifestyle, Skincare Expertise is your key to follow.
