Your skin is most receptive right after cleansing before you apply heavier products. This is a brief window where an essence can make a dramatic difference in your skin. But what is an essence in skincare, and why should you be using one?
These lightweight, water-based formulas deliver hydration and active ingredients deep into the skin while it’s primed to absorb them. It’s been a staple in Korean and Japanese skincare forever, but it’s just now becoming really popular in Western skincare.
We’re excited to show you everything you need to know about essences in skincare below, and introduce our new Gotu Kola + Fruit Exosome Rejuvenating Essence. Learn more today!
Key Takeaways
- An essence is a very lightweight, water-based skincare product.
- You use essence post-cleansing, but before heavier products.
- Essences were made popular in Asian skincare traditions. They sit between a toner and serum.
- Most skin types could benefit from an essence step, but especially dry, dull, or aging skin.
- Our Gotu Kola + Fruit Exosome Rejuvenating Essence is the #1 choice.
What is an Essence in Skincare?
This thin, hydrating liquid is formulated with active ingredients to deliver hydration and nourishment to your skin. The texture is lighter than a serum, but a little more concentrated than water or a basic toner. Essences serve two purposes:
- Deliver active ingredients while the skin is at its most receptive
- Hydrate the skin so so all products applied afterward absorb better
There are many reasons to add an essence to your routine, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner. “The benefits can range from hydration to exfoliation to brightening to strengthening, depending on what active ingredient the product contains. Because of their light consistency, they can be layered under other products, allowing additional benefits to your routine.”1
When Should You Use an Essence in Your Skincare Routine?
Part of why you use an essence is to maximize the absorption of other ingredients in your skincare routine. So, it should be applied right after cleansing. Then you can follow up with serum, moisturizer, sunscreen, etc.
In general, it’s best to apply skincare products in the order of weight - thinnest (most lightweight) to thickest (heaviest).2 This is because heavier products could block lighter products from absorbing. On the other hand, lighter products leave room for heavier products to make their way into the skin.
As for time of day to apply, you have a little wiggle room. You could choose morning, evening, or both. We recommend twice daily for the best results. Essences are very mild and soothing, so this isn’t necessarily something you can “overdo.”
Tips on Using Essence
Adding an essence to your skincare ritual is very easy. Cleanse as you normally would and then dispense a little bit of the essence onto a cotton pad. Sweep it over the face, neck, and chest. Let it seep in and start working its magic.
After a few moments of allowing the essence to absorb, you can follow up with your favorite Naturopathica serum and moisturizer. The Plant Stem Cell Serum is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a serum to pair with the Gotu Kola + Fruit Exosome Duo.
You can repeat this routine twice a day. Stay consistent, and you’ll be amazed at what a difference essence makes in how your skin looks and feels! Elevate your ritual today.
What’s the Difference Between an Essence, Toner, and Serum?
A lot of people get hung up on the differences between essence and toner. They’re very similar, after all. We like to think of the essence as a better version of the traditional toner, which was made to remove leftover residue and rebalance pH after cleansing.
On the other hand, essences go further by turning the toner step into an active treatment step since they deliver powerful ingredients such as:
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Fermented botanical extracts
- Peptides
Then serums come into play. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King sums it up really well. “In Korean beauty, essences are lighter in weight, less concentrated than serums, and are used after a toner to add another layer of hydration before the serum is applied.”3
- Toner: The lightest of the three and traditionally used to balance skin pH and sweep away residual cleanser.
- Essence: Sits in the middle. Usually features fermented ingredients, botanical extracts, and/or exosome technology to prep the skin for serums and moisturizers.
- Serums: Most concentrated of the three and formulated for a very specific goal, be it fine lines, dark spots, or texture.
Many choose to simplify their routine and use just an essence and serum rather than all three.
Do You Need Essence in Your Skincare Routine?
So what is an essence in skincare really going to do that earns it a spot in your daily ritual? It maximizes the results of everything that follows. That’s why it’s worth it. Otherwise, your moisturizer may just sit on top of your skin instead of really providing deeper hydration. Your serums might not deliver the full extent of their benefits.
Dehydrated skin benefits most from essence, since it delivers water-based hydration at a molecular level that creams just can’t match. We also recommend essence for dull, congested skin, especially if the essence has brightening or exfoliating ingredients. Aging skin slowly, but surely loses its natural ability to hold onto moisture, so it can benefit from the extra support of an essence, too.
What’s the Best Skincare Essence?
Naturopathica’s Gotu Kola + Fruit Exosome Rejuvenating Essence brings together fruit-derived exosome technology with Gotu Kola in a light enough formula to absorb in seconds. Yet, it’s concentrated enough to make a profound difference in firmness and hydration.
It pairs beautifully with the Gotu Kola + Fruit Exosome Gel Moisturizer, which is the other half of the Gotu Kola + Fruit Exosome Duo. Like everything at Naturopathica, it’s crafted through a blend of modern skincare science and ancient botanical wisdom. Order yours and see firsthand what it’s clinically proven to do*!
References
- "What Exactly Is an Essence -- and Is It Worth the Extra Step?" Goop.
- "8 Best Facial Essences for Hydrated Skin, According to Dermatologists." NBC News Select.
- "So, What's the Deal With Skincare Essences?" Women.com.
