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You may not yet be familiar with facial essences as part of your daily routine, but they're starting to make a splash in the UK, and you'll soon see why! A hallmark of Korean skincare, facial essences are just one of the treatments beauty lovers from the region rely on to enhance their complexions. They feature effective ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and various natural extracts and antioxidant-rich vitamins.
Luckily for us, the beauty secrets of Korea have started to make their way across the world and can be used on every skin type from sensitive, oily or acne-prone, dry, combination, and mature. Alongside our informative buying guide, we've compiled a list of our top ten essences for beautiful skin from Amazon, eBay, John Lewis and Boots including both luxury and drugstore products from The Body Shop, Origins, Clarins and Kiehl's.
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
So, now you have a bit of an idea what facial essences are and how to incorporate them into your daily skincare routine, it's time to get into the ingredients and formulas. Read on for our helpful buying guide, which should help you find your ideal match!
Essence adds a layer of hydration to the skin so it's important to consider how much moisture your skin needs. Many essences, and the ingredients in them, are for all skin types. However, if you have particularly dry or oily skin you may want to choose one that is specifically aimed at your skin type.
Dry skin and those with uneven skin tone will usually find that their skin drinks up the essence, and may even provide immediate visible results.
We'd particularly recommend looking for those with a bio-ferment complex, in which microorganisms such as yeast and bacteria are added to natural ingredients to create organic acids and antioxidants. These can be excellent for dry skin, as can ingredient-of-the-moment hyaluronic acid, which is exceptionally hydrating.
Sensitivity often goes hand in hand with dry skin, and many essences include ingredients with calming properties. Keep an eye out for willowherb, which is known for its ability to reduce inflammation and heal the skin, as well as aloe vera, another anti-inflammatory which soothes without causing irritation.
There are some very effective anti-ageing ingredients to look for if you have mature skin, most notably vitamin C, vitamin E and hyaluronic acid. Vitamin C is known for its brightening qualities and ability to boost collagen, whereas vitamin E is actually an antioxidant by nature so can combat the effects of free radicals and reduce skin damage.
Again, hyaluronic acid is a sought-after, magical ingredient that works across all skin types, but when it comes to mature skin, its plumping, line-smoothing qualities are particularly desirable.
Facial essences are generally rather watery, and although very oily skin may need a lighter formula, the hydration they provide is enough to make skin more unified without making it greasy.
Beneficial ingredients for oily skin include glycolic acid, rosa gallica flower extract and aloe vera – glycolic acid and rosa gallica work to reduce excess oil, whilst removing dead cells and helping to unclog pores. Aloe vera moisturises the skin whilst absorbing excess oil, so they're both ideal.
Another great option for oilier skin types is to opt for a gel formula. As we mentioned, facial essences are already very light in texture, but gels are even more lightweight, so they won't feel too heavy or cause breakouts.
Gel formulas are a great option for oilier skin types. As we mentioned, facial essences are already very light in texture, but gels are even more lightweight, so they won't feel too heavy or cause breakouts. You can also look for non-comedogenic formulas, which don't clog the pores.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Origins Original Skin™ Essence Lotion | £20.40 Low Mid | An Essence to Get You Glowing All Day | ||
2 | Caudalie Vinoperfect Concentrated Brightening Essence | £21.72 Low Mid | A Gentle Formula For Illuminated Skin | ||
3 | Erno Laszlo Firmarine Lift Essence Lotion | £75.00 High | A Moisture-Giving Oxygen Essence-Gel | ||
4 | Lumene Nordic-C Glow Boost Essence | £29.90 Mid | A Super-Concentrated Serum For Bright, Hydrated Skin | ||
5 | Benton Fermentation Essence | £25.84 Mid | A Hydrating Liquid Concentrate For Younger Skin | ||
6 | Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence | £15.45 Low | Glowing Skin Through the Power of Snails | ||
7 | Fresh Black Tea Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence | £28.00 Mid | An Antioxidant and Anti-Pollution Protecting Essence | ||
8 | Lancôme Hydra Zen Gel Essence | £25.20 Mid | A Fresh, Light Gel For 24 Hours of Moisture | ||
9 | Estée Lauder Micro Essence Treatment Lotion | £40.80 High Mid | Replenishes and Strengthens for Youthful Skin | ||
10 | Clarins Super Restorative Treatment Essence | £39.95 High Mid | The Mature-Skin Treatment for a Clear and Even Complexion |
At our number one spot is this essence lotion that feels exceptionally luxurious, and gives a fabulous glow-up, too! It's fortified with Origins' Dual Ferment Complex, which enhances the effectiveness of the added willowherb and Persian silk tree, and provides great results instantly.
As well as being great for all skin types, it's hydrating without being sticky or heavy, and will help speed up the healing process of any skin imperfections, too. Made with plenty of plant-based ingredients, it has a gorgeous scent with hints of grapefruit and rose that'll make you look forward to your skincare ritual!
Caudalie's brightening essence is designed to even out the appearance and texture of the skin, and drafts in glycolic acid to effectively work away dead skin cells and white peony to reveal a healthier, smoother skin tone.
One for those building up a Korean-inspired routine, skin looks glossier and more unified, particularly when used before a serum. We adore how lightweight yet moisture-giving it is, and its delicately fresh orange blossom fragrance, too. 98% of the ingredients are natural origin too, which is a major bonus point.
This rather futuristic-sounding encapsulated oxygen essence-gel works like a toner and an essence: it lifts, refines and helps to detox skin, all whilst boosting cell renewal. The gel-like texture soothes dry, sensitive or stressed skin, leaving your face energised, radiant and shine-free.
Plus, the included botanical extracts of spirulina maxima and aloe vera will help to reduce lines and wrinkles, soothe, and provide moisture. Even though it's a splurge, it's well worth the investment as it truly feels like a magical tincture, leaving you with lit-from-within skin.
Falling somewhere between a facial essence and a vitamin C serum, Nordic-C actually provides the role of both products, saving you not only a few pounds but also some bathroom cabinet space!
Boosted with wild Arctic cloudberry, Arctic spring water, and vitamin C, it also contains not one but two types of hyaluronic acid to protect and hydrate your skin to perfection. Trust us, this one really does leave skin luminous and noticeably brighter.
This activating treatment essence claims to hydrate the skin and assist in anti-ageing, and it really is true to its word! Only a couple of drops are needed to give skin the most gorgeous glow, and it smells lovely too, which we know can make or break a skincare product for many people.
The fermented, healthy and natural formula has been shown to help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and roughness, leaving skin noticeably smoother, brighter and more youthful-looking.
This essence comes in the form of a lightweight, non-greasy formula, but don't be fooled, it's still very moisture-giving if you have dry skin. It's powered by Snail Secretion Filtrate and is suitable for all skin types and delivers moisture deep into the skin, great for dry and ageing skin.
This is a great value option that sits on the cheaper side of most essences. Also, no snails were harmed in its manufacturing process, and all snail mucin is obtained in an environmentally friendly manner. It is also free from animal cruelty, silicones, parabens and phthalates.
This highly-concentrated treatment is specifically formulated to reduce the signs of ageing, by providing antioxidants and protection from pollution and the elements. We love how it moisturises and protects the skin whilst making it beautifully luminous.
This essence has many proven benefits such as improved luminosity, smoothed fine lines and refined skin texture. The combination of kombucha, mandarin peel extract, Kigelia Africana fruit and hyaluronic acid are quite frankly a powerhouse of protection and hydration! The only downside, is that depending on the size, this essence can become quite pricey.
This light, cool and soothing gel-like essence is perfect for combination to oily skin or warmer weather conditions, and features rosa gallica flower extract to soothe and tighten pores. It's watery and soft on application, and boasts 24 hours of guaranteed moisture protection, which is pretty impressive!
Lancôme's luxurious yet reasonably-priced Hydra Zen Gel is truly a facial drink of water, and calms and mattifies the skin whilst creating just the right dewy glow. We love its light, floral scent too. Although you may want to avoid scents if you have sensitive skin.
Micro and mighty indeed! This luxury essence from Estée Lauder is ideal for tired, dull-looking skin. It also works to calm sensitive skin, and it's even great for banishing red patches and giving skin a more unified texture.
Using a precise concentration of the brands' 'Micro-Nutrient Bio-Ferment', this essence-in-lotion has a lovely light texture and is non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores. It's both dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested, and fragrance-free, too.
This essence is suitable for all skin types but is particularly formulated for those over 50, and is intended to be used as a complimentary step in your daily anti-ageing ritual, making it perfect for mature skin.
Lightweight yet equipped to smooth out uneven skin tone and imperfections, it soaks in easily and sits perfectly under makeup. Although it contains natural anti-ageing ingredients such as hibiscus flower, oat and harungana, there are plenty of unpronounceables on there too which may irritate some skin types.
In a nutshell, facial essences are formulas that soothe and hydrate your skin on a cellular level. Facial essences are similar to serums, only much lighter and with a more watery quality. They're intended to be applied after cleansing, but before applying a serum.
Full of active ingredients, essences lock in hydration and protect the skin's moisture barrier, helping the other products in your routine to be more effective. But perhaps the best thing about essences is that they make the skin appear dewy, youthful and totally radiant – yes please!
Investing in the best products for your skin can make your routine something to look forward to rather than dread, and might even encourage you to focus on some much-needed self-care. If you are in need of some inspiration for your next bit of R&R, the related facial skincare articles below may be just what you need!
Now you've got the lowdown on what facial essences actually are, and which are the most effective ones available right now, you're just steps away from that glow-up. Happy hydrating!
Author: Melanie McPhail
No. 1: Origins |Original Skin™ Essence Lotion
No. 2: Caudalie|Vinoperfect Concentrated Brightening Essence
No. 3: Erno Laszlo|Firmarine Lift Essence Lotion
No. 4: Lumene|Nordic-C Glow Boost Essence
No. 5: Benton|Fermentation Essence
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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