What Is an Essence? Why Use This Skincare Product

Many aspects of the skincare world can be downright confusing if you’re not continually reading up on the latest beauty trends and technologies. Ingredients often sound like they’re plucked straight out of a chemistry textbook, skincare tools aren’t always the most user-friendly—even figuring out how to layer products can be a bit bewildering. And then, there are the products themselves. Essentials like cleansers and sunscreens are pretty straightforward, but when it comes to less-obvious products like toners and essences, things can get murky.

But don’t fret, you have us on your side. Here, we’ll be reviewing what might be the most poorly understood skincare product of all: Facial essence. Ahead, we’ll teach you what a skin essence is, what they’re used for, and how they differ from other skincare staples, like facial toners and serums. We’ll also introduce you to our two best skin essences and teach you how to use them in your daily skincare routine. Get ready to brush up on skincare 101. Read on for your crash course on essence skincare.

What Is an Essence For Skin?

Officially, an “essence” is defined as a plant-derived substance that contains the plant’s characteristic properties in a highly-concentrated form. While useful for some purposes, this definition doesn’t tell you much about what essence skincare products are.

At Kiehl’s, we define a facial essence—sometimes called a skin essence—as a thin, watery skincare leave-on treatment designed to help prep your skin for moisture. Like oil cleansers and sheet masks, essences first became popular stateside with the introduction (and subsequent explosive popularity) of the Korean 10-step beauty routine. Though their primary purpose is to prime the skin, essences may help enhance the penetration of your more potent skincare products, ultimately boosting the overall efficacy of your routine. This differs from toners, which are usually meant to help cleanse the skin, and serums, which help address specific concerns, like enlarged pores or skin discolorations.

How To Use a Facial Essence

Essences are generally applied as one of the earlier steps in your skincare routine—usually after cleansing and toning but before applying serum. Of course, the exact usage instructions will depend on the specific essence you’re using (in other words, always read the package carefully to ensure you’re using your product as intended). Here, we’ll give you the details on Kiehl’s best skin essences and teach you how to use these power-packed products in your daily (or nightly) routine.

Step 1: Start With a Clean Slate

Before applying any leave-on treatments, you want to make sure your skin is free of impurities like sweat or excess oil. We recommend washing your face with a non-drying foaming wash, like Ultra Facial Cleanser. This Kiehl’s favorite, which contains olive-derived squalane and avocado oil, dissolves debris to thoroughly cleanse without stripping the skin’s natural moisture barrier. The pH-balanced formula has been tested for safety and gentleness and is suitable for all skin types.

For an effective cleanse, dampen your skin with lukewarm water and dispense a pea-sized amount of the creamy formula onto your fingertips. Then, massage the cleanser over your face in circular motions, focusing on areas of concern (like the T-zone). Once you’re satisfied, rinse your face thoroughly (again, with lukewarm water—never hot) and pat your skin dry with a clean towel.

Kiehl’s Tip: If you’re looking to address a specific skin concern, like dullness or blemishes, you may want to start your routine with a targeted cleanser formulated for your skin’s unique needs. Find your perfect match in our article How To Pick The Best Face Wash For You.

Step 2: Use Toner To Remove Lingering Impurities

After patting your face dry, reach for an alcohol-free toner, like Ultra Facial Toner. This mild toning liquid with glycerin and vitamin E removes residue left behind after cleansing. The emollient-infused formula also adds hydration to help balance and comfort just-cleansed skin.

We recommend applying this toner with a clean cotton round. Simply douse the cotton round with the toning liquid, then sweep it over your face and neck. Let the soothing formula soak into your skin for a minute or two before continuing your routine.

Step 3: Apply Your Chosen Facial Essence

Once you’ve completed your toning, you’re ready for your facial essence. You’ll want to choose a formula made for your skin type and unique skin concerns. If you have lackluster or dull-looking skin, for example, we recommend Ferulic Brew Rejuvenating Facial Essence. This antioxidant-rich essence with ferulic acid absorbs quickly to help prime the skin for hydration. It helps strengthen the skin’s natural moisture barrier and protect against damaging free radicals that can contribute to early signs of aging. When used consistently, this powerful essence is clinically-demonstrated to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and visibly refine your skin’s texture.^*

^*Results based on expert grading in a four-week clinical test on 60 subjects.

If premature aging is your primary concern, try Iris Activating Treatment Essence, which contains lipo-hydroxy acid and iris florentina root extract. The powerful formula helps encourage the skin’s natural exfoliation process to boost radiance and improve the appearance of fine lines. It also hydrates the skin and helps prime it for the rest of your anti-aging skincare routine.

To apply your skin essence, dispense a few generous drops of your chosen formula into your hands. Then, firmly press your palms onto your face, concentrating on areas of concern (typically, this includes the forehead, cheeks, and chin). Continue pressing your hands onto your face until the essence is evenly distributed, then wait several minutes to allow your skin to soak it up.

Kiehl’s Tip: While you wait for your essence to absorb, apply an eye cream. Head to our article How To Pick The Best Eye Cream For Your Skin to find your ideal match.

Step 4: Layer On a Hydrating Serum

Next, apply a facial serum to your face and neck. Seek out a formula made to address your specific skin concerns, or reach for an all-purpose hydrating serum, like Hydro-Plump Hydrating Serum. This Kiehl’s favorite helps encourage your skin’s natural production of hyaluronic acid to boost elasticity and improve the appearance of dehydrated skin. The lightweight, skin-plumping formula is suitable for all skin types and gentle enough to use even around the delicate eye area. Dispense one to two pumps into your hands, then apply an even layer to your face and neck. If desired, you can use a skincare tool (like a jade roller) to massage the serum into your skin.

Step 5: Moisturize To Lock In Hydration

Lastly, you’ll want to lock in all of that skin-smoothing hydration with a non-greasy moisturizer, such as Ultra Facial Cream. This cult-classic moisturizer with olive-derived squalane and glacial glycoprotein absorbs into the skin quickly, imparting lightweight yet long-lasting hydration. The moisture-balancing formula is clinically-demonstrated to help smooth and soften dry skin, leaving it looking visibly healthier within just one week.^* Apply a dime-sized amount to your face, neck, and upper chest, and gently massage the cream in for skin that looks and feels its very best.

^*Results based on a four-week clinical test.

Kiehl’s Tip: In the morning, apply a non-comedogenic, broad-spectrum sunscreen, like Super Fluid Daily UV Defense 50+, to your face and neck as the final step in your skincare routine.