We’ve made it through Blue Monday (hurrah!) and while the days really are getting longer (sunset isn’t till 4:27 pm today), chilly temperatures let us know we’re still in deepest, darkest winter.
With all the time we’re spending indoors right now, I find this season to be perfect for supersizing my skincare routine. While I still advocate a basic skincare practice, shortened daylight hours inspire me to apply face masks more regularly and spend extra time on facial massage. I’m also loving the addition of a new product to my routine: facial essence.
You probably know that Korea has been driving lots of new options in skincare and maybe you’ve even tried a few. Whether it’s a sheet mask or an unusual ingredient like snail mucin, there’s plenty of innovation coming from Asia. I regularly marvel at their 10-step skincare routines, even if I haven't committed to the full programme. Yet.
At the start of 2017, though, I decided I was ready to add something new to my toilette and chose a facial essence. This category was created in Asia a couple decades ago and is becoming more established in the west. Not only will you find essences available in the K-Beauty section of your favourite website or store (Sephora made it easy on my recent trip to the US), well-known brands, such as Estee Lauder and Kiehl’s among others, are adding offers to their lines.
So what exactly is an essence and why would I use one?
Generally the consistency of water, an essence is often described as providing similar benefits to a toner or a serum. Specialty ingredients work to eliminate dullness, provide even skintone and promote hydration so the comparison is easy to see. An essence can also boost your serum and moisturiser to work more deeply as it prepares the skin to receive additional active ingredients.
Applied onto clean skin, an essence is also great for restoring and maintaining the pH balance of skin, which is generally 5.5 (slightly acidic). When exposed to harsh cleansing, pollution and / or poor diet, our pH will change leaving our skin dry and sensitive (too alkaline) or oily with breakouts (too acidic). Facial essence can help restore the acid mantle on the skin’s surface to the right pH allowing our skin to effectively keep moisture in and dirt out.
Ok, I’m intrigued. When do I use it in my skincare routine?
Facial essence is used morning and evening, applied to a clean face after toner or cleanser. Hand application is generally recommended, rather than with cotton pads. To use, just decant a few drops from the bottle into your palms and then press gently onto your face, neck and décolleté. Once this is done, serum and moisturiser are applied.
Is it for everyone?
Pretty much. Essences are beneficial for anyone seeking glowing skin while softening fine lines. Daily application of an essence can help to stimulate cell renewal, which results in younger looking skin.
Thanks to the hydrating properties, from ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, those with dry skin will love using an essence. Combination skin will also benefit.
For those that have oily skin or suffer from acne, an essence can help balance your skin’s pH, however it’s important to choose one that is designed to help your skin and its excess sebum production. Extra hydration isn’t your goal, however an essence with tea tree oil will help to improve skin’s immunity which can lead to fewer breakouts.
Which one are you using?
After hearing so much about it, I chose SK-II to get me started. Cate Blanchett says this is her go to skincare product when she can only pack one item. I cannot imagined being tasked with such a challenge!
In my research for this piece, I discovered that Missha makes an essence that is supposed to be a perfect duplicate for SK-II as well as a dupe for one of my favourite serums. Both are a fraction of the cost of the originals and are obviously on my list to try next.
Do you use an essence? Which one?
If not, are you intrigued to give one a try?