Facial Essence: Your Skin’s Best Friend
IMAGE: IMAXTREE
A post-facial glow is something we wish would last forever and now we’ve found a way to get moisturized, glowy skin by adding one step to our skin care routine. It’s called an essence and it reminds us of a serum, except less concentrated, and it will become your skin’s best friend.
A facial essence’s texture feels much more like water than a serum and should be applied before any products in your regimen, after face washing and toning. It gives skin a boost of moisture without weighing it down and makes the rest of your skin care routine much more effective. These formulas work by gently exfoliating dead skin cells, helping with skin cell turnover and making it easy for products applied afterward to penetrate. Each essence targets a specific concern, from anti-aging to dark spots, and a little bit of this miracle product goes a long way. Daily use of the concentrate will most likely lead to enviable, dewy, lit-from-within skin. Check out our favorites below.
Fresh
Black Tea Kombucha Antioxidant Essence, $68 at Sephora
Packed with antioxidants, kombucha and mandarin peel extract, this lightweight essence promotes luminosity and a uniform complexion. It even tackles those pesky fine lines and wrinkles.
SK-II
Facial Treatment Pitera Essence, $185 at Nordstrom
Hollywood’s favorite facial essence tackles multiple skin concerns, from dark spots to dryness and uneven skin tone. It has over 50 vitamins, minerals, amino acids and organic acids to treat your skin.
Laneige
Water Bank Hydro Essence, $39 at Sephora
Laneige means business when it comes to hydration as this super nourishing essence relies on green mineral water to get the job done. Infused with kale, watercress and beet, the lightweight formula also evens out texture and combats oiliness.
Saturday Skin
Daily Dew Hydrating Essence Mist, $34 at Nordstrom
This no-nonsense hydrator boasts both kiwi and grape extracts to drench your skin in moisture. Use it under or over your makeup or as a quick pick-me-up throughout the day.
Neogen
Real Ferment Micro Essence, $38 at Soko Glam
Featuring 93 percent naturally fermented ingredients, this facial essence will get you glowing.
Tata Harper
Concentrated Brightening Essence, $215 at Tata Harper
Tata Harper’s brightening booster not only illuminates, it corrects dark spots and uneven texture. And it’s vegan to boot.
Kiehl’s
Iris Extract Activating Treatment Essence, $45 at Kiehl’s
An essential part of any anti-aging regimen, this essence hydrates and preps your complexion for the other age-battling products in your lineup. It even activates the exfoliation process to help reveal smoother, more radiant skin.
COSRX
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, $21 at Ulta Beauty
Don’t let this essence’s 96 percent snail mucin formula scare you. It actually helps repair your skin as it hydrates, brightens and tones.
Caudalie
Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Essence, $49 at DermStore
This essence uses glycolic acid and organic grape water to neutralize dark spots, moisturize and soothe your skin. Apply on clean skin, then follow up with serum and moisturizer.
