Published: December 23, 2024
If you’re a fan of Korean skincare (notoriously known for its 10-step routine) you’ve probably heard of facial essences. But there’s a lot of confusion in the skincare community about facial essences. Are they toners? Are they serums? Though they’re easily mistaken for both, the answer is actually neither.
If you’re wondering if you should add a facial essence to your skincare routine, you’ve come to the right place. We’re about to break down everything you need to know about facial essences and how they work.
The purpose of a facial essence is to prepare your skin for treatment by starting the skin regeneration process, so that the top layer of the dead skin cells is shed, revealing new skin for a healthy glow. Facial essences are packed with highly concentrated active ingredients meant to intensely hydrate and nourish the skin and prep it for anything that follows. The theory is that new skin cells can more easily take in the active ingredients in the steps that follow, rendering them more effective by creating the best possible environment for the actives to penetrate the skin. Originating from the Korean beauty industry, facial essences combine various elements of a skincare routine in one step. Essences act as a layer of hydration and re-balance the skin.
Facial essences are one of the most commonly misunderstood beauty products in Korean skincare. Unlike toners and serums, they are less well known outside of Korea and their purpose is less cut and dry. But these highly-concentrated treatments contain high doses of active ingredients meant to intensely nourish the skin post-cleanse and prep it for anything that follows. Up your skincare game and find an essence that addresses your skin concerns. Your skin will thank you.