This feature explains why essences deserve a place between cleansing and moisturising, highlighting their role in deep hydration, improved texture and smoother makeup. Focusing on K‑Beauty, it spotlights cult favourites like Cosrx Snail Mucin, Sulwhasoo Lumiwise, Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water, Innisfree Jeju Orchid Essence and vegan Mixsoon Bean Essence.
One skincare step that people often miss out on, because it feels superfluous, is the essence. Often squeezed in between cleansing and moisturising, essences can seem like an unnecessary extra in an already elaborate routine. But this lightweight product can play an important role in hydrating and prepping the skin, helping it feel softer, plumper, and more hydrated. Bonus? Certain essences can even make the application of makeup smoother, since it improves skin texture (kind of like a primer). If you too, would like to upgrade your skincare routine with one step that single-handedly makes your skin look slightly more polished, a good essence is just the product to add to your routine. And because we feel that no one does skincare better than Koreans, we have put together our picks for the essences to try right now, all from K-Beauty brands.
Unless you have been living under a rock, you must have heard about the Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence. This product had everyone going crazy a couple of years ago, and for all the right reasons. Cosrx is single-handedly responsible for introducing the mainstream beauty industry to the snail mucin. Since then we’ve seen many versions of the product from different brands (even vegan ones!), but this remains the OG. Known for its unique viscous, gelatinous texture, this essence provides deep hydration, without feeling too heavy. It also helps with skin damage, fading acne scars, and giving a glass-skin like glow.
Another light-weight essence, this one has a milky, lotion-like formulation. Enriched with ingredients like squalane, ginseng and niacinamide, it hydrates the skin, controls excess sebum, makes the skin softer, and helps reduce dullness and acne marks.
Speaking of ginseng, the Ginseng Essence Water from Beauty Of Joseon is another fan favourite. This essence calms irritation, reduces the appearance of fine lines, and boosts skin elasticity. Bonus? It’s fragrance-free and alcohol-free. Also, we don’t know about you, but this brand is one of our all-time favourites!
This one is a great product to try if you’re looking for an essence with some serious anti-aging properties. Apart from providing hydration (duh!), it targets concerns like fine lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness. With ingredients like niacinamide, it also helps even out skin tone and reduce dullness.
And for all the vegans out there, not only is the Mixsoon Bean Essence is said to be a vegan, cruelty-free alternative to the snail mucin, but it’s also free of additives like fragrances, parabens, and alcohol. Apart from providing hydration, improving skin texture, and protecting skin barrier, it also has exfoliating properties, and clears out dead skin cells.