What comes to mind when you hear the words, facial essence? For some, it’s deep hydration. For others, it’s just another overhyped skincare product. Whatever camp you fall into, we’re here to challenge you to think bigger, because essences are more than just some extra moisture or a passing trend.
We know 10-step skincare routines are out, and skin minimalism (or should we say, skinimalism) is in. So, if you’ve ever wondered whether a facial essence actually deserves a place in your routine, this is for you.
In this post, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about facial essences; their purpose, benefits, how to use them, and why they just might be the missing piece in your skincare lineup. By the end, you’ll be able to decide once and for all: Is a facial essence a must-have or just another step to skip?
What Is An Essence?
A facial essence is a lightweight, water-based, liquid skincare treatment packed with concentrated active ingredients designed to be delivered to skin at a cellular level, in order to prepare your skin for subsequent skincare products. In simpler words, an essence:
- Delivers hydrating and nourishing ingredients to your skin.
- Has a watery consistency that aids its penetration into your skin cells.
- Prepares your skin to absorb the other products in your routine.
When it comes to essences, there is sometimes confusion regarding what exactly these are and do; are they toners or serums?; is an essence more important than a serum?
The truth is; an essence in skincare is a bit of a hybrid between a toner and serum. What this means is it has some features in common with both products, especially in terms of texture.
However, there’s still a difference. Unlike the ‘hydration and nourishment” ethos of facial essences, toners are typically pH-balancing at their core, and can be exfoliation or hyperpigmentation-targeted as well depending on the active ingredients in them. (Note: pH-balanced skin appears supple, soft, and healthy; no itching or irritation.)
Serums on the other hand, contain more potent concentrations of active ingredients, and are thicker than toners or essences.
In our humblest opinion, for those embracing skinimalism, the best essence for face use is one that can do a bit of both, enabling you to skip the toner and serum steps, and simplifying your skincare routine while delivering skin benefits.
How And When To Use An Essence
To maximize results, learning how to use your essence on your face is necessary.
Facial essences are used after cleansing the skin with a gentle face wash. Apply about two to three drops onto your palm, and press gently into slightly damp skin on your face and neck using dab-dab-dab motions.
Damp skin creates an environment the essence can penetrate easily, and allows the product’s hydrating ingredients to get absorbed faster. Let sit for about 2 minutes to allow the essence to be absorbed, and follow this with a lightweight moisturizer to lock in hydration.
For best results, use your facial essence of choice twice daily, at morning and at night.
Benefits Of Using A Facial Essence
Here are five ways a facial essence elevates your skincare game:
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Deep Hydration: Facial essences deliver hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid to the skin at a deep level. This is especially useful for dry, dehydrated skin, as well as other skin types during the dry season. This particular benefit also comes in handy when prepping your skin for a radiant makeup look.
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Brightening: Essences brighten skin with everyday use. While some contain glycolic acid, some natural facial essences opt for mulberry extract which is a botanical brightening ingredient alternative. Both help even out skin tone and improve dullness over time.
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Anti-Aging: Essences hydrate your skin and boost collagen production, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and producing youthful-looking skin.
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Anti-Irritation: Essences contain ingredients that soothe and calm the skin, treating and preventing redness, irritation, and other signs of skin sensitivity.
- Improved Skin Texture: Facial essences improve skin texture by enhancing elasticity, aiding cell turnover, and generally reducing the appearance of rough patches, yielding plump, smooth, soft skin over time.
Takeaway: Should You Use A Facial Essence?
Is a face essence necessary in my routine? Do I really need it? Should I use a facial essence? All of these questions are one and the same, and the short answer to them is a ‘yes’.
The longer answer? If you want hydrated, healthy, glowing skin, a facial essence is your best bet. It’s a literal game-changer. While a simple cleanser-moisturizer routine is awesome, adding a multifunctional product such as an essence elevates your skincare without overcomplicating it.
Using an essence before applying moisturizer restores lost hydration, enhances absorption, and amplifies your entire routine, making it a worthy addition. If you’re ready to take your skincare to the next level, begin by finding the best facial essence for you.
Before you go…
We appreciate the time you took to read this blog to the end. We hope you found it helpful. Please allow us to introduce ourselves quickly.
Shanyi Beauty is a brand that offers safe and effective skincare products that help you repair and maintain your skin barrier while fading hyperpigmentation and clearing fine lines, giving you healthy, even-toned, and youthful skin.
The products are potent and yet gentle on the skin, and they are suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
For face care products designed to keep your skin radiant all year long, explore our curated collection today!