Essence is more than a word; it’s the new step in your skincare routine that delivers a powerful hydrating punch. Below, we uncover everything you need to know to help you figure out where essence fits into your regimen.

What Is Essence?

Essence is a lightweight, hydrating liquid formulated to deliver powerful active ingredients deep into your skin. Often hailed as a cornerstone of Korean skincare, facial essence sits between a toner and a serum in terms of consistency and function. Unlike toners, which primarily balance pH and cleanse away residual impurities, essences are specifically designed to nourish and hydrate the skin, preparing it to absorb subsequent skincare products more effectively.

What Does Essence Do to the Skin?

Essence works wonders for the skin by providing intense hydration, improving skin texture, and promoting a healthy glow. Its hydrating properties help to plump up the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Essence for skin often contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and various botanical extracts, which work together to soothe, brighten, and rejuvenate the skin. By penetrating the skin’s deeper layers, essence helps to repair damage, enhance elasticity, and even out skin tone, making it an essential step for a radiant complexion.

When to Use Essence?

Essence should be applied after cleansing and toning but before serums and moisturizers in your skincare routine. This strategic placement allows the essence to penetrate and prep your skin effectively, ensuring that the active ingredients in your serums and moisturizers are better absorbed. Using essence at this stage also maximizes its hydrating and nourishing benefits, providing a solid foundation for the rest of your skincare products. Incorporating essence into your morning and evening routines can significantly enhance your skin’s overall health and appearance.

Toner vs Essence

Understanding the difference between toner and essence is crucial for optimizing your skincare routine. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Toner: Typically used after cleansing, toners help to remove any remaining impurities and balance the skin’s pH levels. They can also provide a quick dose of hydration and prep the skin for better absorption of subsequent products.

Essence: A hydrating liquid packed with active ingredients, essences penetrate deeper into the skin to provide nourishment, improve texture, and enhance the efficacy of other skincare products.

Do You Need Both Toner and Essence?

Yes, using both toner and essence can greatly benefit your skin. Each serves a unique purpose: toner prepares and balances your skin after cleansing, ensuring it’s free of impurities and at the optimal pH level. On the other hand, essence offers deep hydration and delivers essential nutrients to the skin, amplifying the effects of your serums and moisturizers. They create a synergistic effect that can elevate your skincare routine and improve overall skin health.

Which Should Go First Toner or Essence?

In your skincare routine, toner should always be applied immediately after cleansing. This step removes any leftover dirt or cleanser residue and balances your skin’s pH. Following the toner, apply your essence. This sequence allows the essence to fully penetrate the skin, delivering its hydrating and nourishing benefits more effectively. By correctly layering these products, you can maximize their benefits.

Essence vs Serum

Essence and serum are two distinct but complementary products in a skincare routine. Here’s how they differ:

Essence: A lightweight, hydrating liquid that provides deep hydration and prepares the skin to absorb subsequent products more effectively. It often contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid and botanical extracts that soothe and nourish the skin.

Serum: A more concentrated formulation designed to target specific skin concerns such as wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, or acne. Serums typically contain active ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, or peptides, which work to address these issues more intensively.

Do You Need Both Serum and Essence?

Yes, using both serum and essence can significantly enhance your skincare regimen. While essence hydrates and preps the skin, creating an ideal base, the serum delivers powerful active ingredients that target specific skin concerns. Combining both products ensures that your skin receives comprehensive care—hydration, nourishment, and targeted treatment. This layered approach can lead to more noticeable improvements in skin health and appearance.

Should You Use Essence Before or After Serum?

Essence should be applied before serum. After cleansing and toning, pat the essence onto your skin to provide a layer of hydration and prepare it for better serum absorption. Once the essence has been absorbed, apply your serum to target specific concerns. This order ensures that the serum’s active ingredients penetrate more deeply and work more effectively. Incorporating both essence and serum into your routine in the correct sequence can help you achieve a healthier, more radiant complexion.

How to Incorporate Essence Into Your Skin Care Routine?

Incorporating essence into your daily regimen is straightforward and can seamlessly fit into your existing skincare routine. Follow our step-by-step guide below to make sure you are layering products correctly.

Essence Skin Care Routine

1. Cleanse: Start with a gentle cleanser suited to your skin type to remove impurities and prepare your skin.
2. Apply Dermaclara: For areas needing extra attention, apply Dermaclara silicone face patches. Our patches create a seal that enhances skincare product absorption, boosts hydration, and increases collagen production. Dermaclara works wonders on pesky fine lines and wrinkles, leaving your skin plump.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Tone: Apply a toner to balance the skin’s pH levels and refine pores. This step also primes your skin for better absorption of subsequent products.
4. Apply Essence: Dispense a small amount of essence into your palms or onto a cotton pad. Gently pat or press it into your skin, starting from the center of your face and working outward to ensure even distribution.
5. Serum: Apply a targeted serum to address specific skin concerns, such as fine lines, dark spots, or acne. The hydrated base provided by the essence helps the serum penetrate more deeply.
6. Moisturize: Lock in all the beneficial ingredients with a moisturizer, which will provide a protective barrier and maintain hydration throughout the day or night.

Now you have the knowledge and the know-how, it’s time to wash your face and follow the steps. We promise the end result is more than worth it!