The increasing popularity of Korean skincare has very luckily meant plenty of wonderful new skincare products and ingredients have been introduced into our routines. Ingredients like centella asiatica, heartleaf, and snail mucin – have all transformed our skin. Then there are new product types like skincare ampoules and of course Korean essences, a skincare staple that’s taken the beauty world by storm. But what exactly is a Korean essence, and how does it fit into your routine?
We’ll break down everything you need to know, from its benefits and how to use it, to how it differs from Korean toners and serums. Get ready to elevate your Korean skincare routine and achieve that glass-skin glow.
What is Essence Skincare?
Essence skincare is a K-Beauty must-have that’s been making waves in the European beauty industry. Typically, essences are water-based formulas packed with active ingredients designed to hydrate, balance, and plump the skin. They work to soothe and firm while leaving your skin deeply nourished.
While essences are particularly beneficial for dry or dehydrated skin, they’re versatile enough to benefit all skin types. Think of them as the secret weapon your skincare routine didn’t know it needed.
How Do Essences Differ From Toners & Serums?
Essences are often mistaken for toners or serums, but each serves a distinct purpose in your skincare routine. So, what’s the difference?
Korean Toners: Cleanse, refine, and soothe the skin with gentle, effective formulas. Toners are best applied by saturating a cotton pad and sweeping it over your face.
Korean Essences: Penetrate deeply to deliver hydration and nourishment through powerful active ingredients. They have a watery texture and are very easily applied to the face. Unlike toners, essences are best applied by gently patting them into your skin with your fingers.
Korean Serums: Provide targeted treatment for specific skin concerns with concentrated, non-greasy formulas. Korean serums have a more gel-like consistency compared to essences but are very lightweight and still very easily applied with your hands.
How to Use an Essence in Your Skincare Routine
After cleansing, apply your toner, then follow with your essence, serum, and moisturiser. For best results, pat your essence into your skin using your fingertips, rather than sweeping it on with a cotton pad or massaging it in.
Some brands blur the lines between toners and essences, so always check the label to confirm how to use the product. Essences prepare your skin, enabling it to absorb the full benefits of your serums and other treatments. Perfect for helping your skin to lock in glow-boosting and hydrating ingredients, essential to the glass skin routine.
The Best Korean Essences
The best Korean skincare brands offer exceptional essences – here are our favourites, tailored to different skin concerns.
COSRX Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence
Best for: Dry and dehydrated skin.
Formulated with a highly concentrated hyaluronic acid, this oil-free gel formula provides long-lasting hydration by helping the skin to retain moisture and create a plump, youthful look. Stressed skin is left feeling smooth and moisturised with a glowy finish.
innisfree Black Tea Youth Enhancing Treatment Essence
Best for: Dull skin
Designed to prep your skin for maximum absorption of your skincare, this lightweight essence is concentrated with antioxidant-rich black tea to encourage healthy cell turnover and protection from environmental stressors. The result? Smooth, radiant, and hydrated skin. It’s glowing skin in a bottle.
mixsoon Soondy Centella Asiatica Essence
Best for: Redness and breakouts
Enriched with 100% centella asiatica extract, which soothes irritated, troubled skin with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. This essence will combat redness and inflammation, reduce irritation by 27%, and soothe skin triggered by acne and rashes. This is a great option for those with acne-prone skin, uneven skin tones, or a compromised skin barrier.
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Essence Toner
Best for: Dry Skin and redness
This essence harnesses patented ProBio-Cica, a fermented form of centella asiatica, to minimise redness, and strengthen the skin barrier. An infusion of trehalose, panthenol, ceramide NP, and sodium hyaluronate also allows this essence to give the skin a hit of hydration, for a moisturised and radiant complexion that’s velvety smooth.
COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Best for: Dull and dry skin
TikTok made this one famous, and for good reason. Enriched with snail mucin, this lightweight essence delivers intense hydration, improves skin elasticity, and locks in moisture to protect the skin barrier. A must-try for achieving that dewy, glass-skin look.
Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water
Best for: Dull uneven skin tone
Infused with ginseng and niacinamide, this essence works wonders on dull or uneven skin leaving it feeling plump, hydrated, and revitalised. Niacinamide works to control sebum and target enlarged pores, the ginseng addresses hyperpigmentation and UV damage. Over time, it helps to improve skin elasticity, reduces dullness and fine lines, and enhances your natural glow.
NACIFIC Phyto Niacin Brightening Essence
Best for: Uneven skin texture and dull complexions
Designed for noticeable skin tone improvement, this solution smooths texture and brightens the complexion, without clogging the pores. Formulated with a blend of niacinamide, vitamin C, and bamboo extract, this essence helps to hydrate and boost radiance, while bambusa vulgaris extract soothes and nourishes.
Best for: Dull tired skin
Combining natural AHAs with essential amino acids, this essence boosts skin vitality, improves texture, strengthens, and hydrates the skin. An infusion of antioxidant-rich fermented pomegranate works to gently exfoliate. And fermented soybeans and barley, pear juice ferment filtrate, and glycerin deeply nourish, enhance radiance, optimise hydration, and soothe for a vibrant and youthful-looking complexion. A brilliant choice for someone dealing with dull, tired skin.
Essences are an essential step in any K-Beauty routine – add one of these wonderful essences to your skincare rotation and see the difference they can make to your skin.
