Step 5 Essence

When you think of Korean skincare, essences come to mind. They form a crucial part of Korean skincare, and they are what makes Korean skincare unique. To understand what an essence is, it’s important to look at the distinct features. When should you use this product? Where in your Korean skin care routine does an essence fit in? We’ll lay it all out for you.

What is an essence?

Perhaps you already know a little about the Korean 10 steps. In that case, you’ve probably heard about essences before. They truly are the backbone of the Korean skincare tradition. These types of skincare products are meant to deeply hydrate the skin, ensuring that your skin has sufficient water levels. A healthy moisture barrier is key to maintaining healthy skin, making essences an important feature in any skincare routine. Whether your main skin concern is dryness, scaly skin, moderate acne or skin irritation: you’ll want to include an essence in your routine. 

Some people have trouble distinguishing essences from toners. It’s true that toners provide hydration to the skin as well. However, there are certainly distinct differences between these two skincare products. Read on if you want to know what makes essences unique, and you’ll understand why we love them so much!

Essences are concentrated

Look at the first ingredient of your favorite essence. This could be any skin beneficial ingredient, depending on your current formula of choice. Is it propolis? The ultra hydrating superstar hyaluronic acid? Mugwort perhaps? Whatever it is, the first ingredient on the list is probably not water, but a superstar ingredient with several benefits for your skin. This is because essences tend to be very concentrated, and they contain high amounts of active ingredients that nourish, brighten or soothe your skin. 

Essences for acne and skin problems

This brings us to our next point. Essences are hard to beat when it comes down to addressing specific skin problems, like dry skin, sensitive skin or irritated skin. They contain high concentrations of skin beneficial ingredients geared towards soothing, brightening, or firming the skin. Moreover, they really amp up the hydration levels in your skin. And hydrated skin is healthy skin. Long term use of an essence suited to your needs will lead to supple skin with less wrinkles, a more even toned complexion, and a beautiful glow.

There is a difference in packaging, too. Essences usually come in sturdy glass bottles or luxurious ampoules. So you can be sure your precious liquid is protected from light and air. These external influences can diminish the effectiveness of the product over time. These sturdy bottles are a lot more hygienic, too. And they make your essence look very good on a shelfie! 

When do I need an essence?

Now that you know what an essence is, you want to know when to use it. You’ll be glad to hear that that’s very easy: morning and night. And if you’re not sure where in your routine it goes, we’ll help you on your way too. Generally speaking, you should an essence after cleansing your face and after using a toner, but before the more moisturizing products such as moisturizers, gel-type moisturizers or emulsions. Cleanse your skin, preferably using the double cleansing method, and gently tap your skin dry. Apply your toner to cleansed skin, and wait for the product to be absorbed. Then you apply your essence. Spread some of the product over the palm of your hands and apply it on the dampened skin of your face and neck. We recommend that you apply your essence when your skin is still damp, to ensure maximal absorption of your product.

Buy essences at Little Wonderland

At Little Wonderland, we love essences. We have a big range of essences, so you’ll be sure to find your new holy grail. We have products from Korean cult brands, and global best sellers like COSRX, Neogen and Secret Key. We’ve got everything you need when it comes to K-beauty and skincare.

Essences that are currently popular are the Neogen Real Ferment Micro Essence and the I’m From Mugwort Essence. If you order on a weekday before 20:00, we’ll send your package your way the same day. If you’ve got any questions about which essence fits your skin type, our customer service team is always happy to help!