The best Korean essences will leave your skin feeling refreshed, nourished, calm, as well as glowy! Looking for the best Korean essence for wrinkles, or for super dry skin? Maybe you want to get rid of dry patches and texture? Say no more, and simply keep on reading! In this guide, we will review and talk about some of the best essence options that will suit every woman, no matter their skin type or budget. Here are some of the best skin care essentials when it comes to facial essences.
What is Korean Skin Essence?
An essence is a holy grail item in Korean skincare that almost everyone swears by. It is a unique product that reminds a lot of serum, while others might mistake it for a toner. However, an essence is used to achieve glassy skin and to combat fine lines, dry patches, or wrinkles. It is used morning and night for anti aging properties.
What Does Essence Do For Your Skin?
Your skincare serum can be filled with different ingredients that can nourish your skin or combat any minor imperfections. Its ingredients will help with brightening properties, dark spots, wrinkles, fine lines, as well as overall hydration. These ingredients are more concentrated than they are in a cream, which makes them ideal for anyone who needs quick and noticeable results.
Essence vs Toner Serum
A toner is used to calm down your skin, keep your oils at bay, as well as clean any dirt and debris. It can help with the size of your pores, and it is applied with a cotton pad on top of your skin.
An essence is a lot more lightweight and it can help with hydration and your texture. It is mostly used by mature skin types and is filled with high-quality ingredients that can combat different skincare issues.
How To Use Essence On Your Face?
You should use your facial essence based on its instructions and packaging recommendations. In most cases, it should be used morning and night. After cleansing your skin with your facial cleanser and after using a toner, move onto the use of your essence. Apply it onto a cotton pad and dab it in. Push it deep into the skin. You can also use your fingers to blend it in. Finish off with your favorite K beauty creams, serums, moisturizers, or eye creams.
How To Choose A Korean Essence Based On Your Skin Type
1. Dry Skin
The best Korean essence for dry skin is usually something that is combined with glycolic acid and lactic acid since it will brighten up your complexion while getting rid of any dead skin cells. You will enjoy it for a refreshed look, and especially if it is infused with Hyaluronic acid.
2. Oily Skin
The best Korean essence for oily skin is filled with ingredients such as peppermint, witch hazel, or green tea since they can help with your sebum production. They are also comfortable and they have a lightweight mattifying texture over your skin.
3. Combination Skin
A Korean essence for combination skin has to have a combination of ingredients that can give you hydrating and mattifying properties. Snail concentrate, aloe leaf extracts, as well as different oils will help with your overall complexion and a subtle glow.
4. Normal Skin
A Korean essence for normal skin will have rice water, along with lactic acid and glycerin. Use a combination of your favorite ingredients to achieve a smooth base with the right pH level of your skin.
5. Sensitive Skin
The best essence for sensitive skin should be mild, comfortable, as well as hydrating, and calming. Go for ingredients such as rose extracts and natural enzymes, along with hyaluronic acid to keep your skin at its optimal.
Which Ingredients To Look For
Use an essence that has high-quality active ingredients that are popular in the K beauty. Some of the best essences will have.
1. Water
It is used as a base for the hydration of your skin. Most water-based ingredients are easily blended in, and you are left with a hydrating base for your makeup application.
2. Glycerin
This is the best moisturizing ingredient for people who have dry skin. It is also one of the most-used and common ingredients in your everyday skincare items.
3. Hyaluronic Acid
This can be used to plump up your complexion and to nourish your skin. No more visible fine lines + your skin will look a lot more radiant and bouncy.
4. Botanical Extracts
This is great for oily skin due to their anti-inflammatory properties. They are also slightly scented and will keep your skin at its optimal nourished level.
5. Vitamin C
It is an amazing ingredient for people who have dry skin and who want to end up with more radiance & bounce. Vitamin C will nourish your skin and help with any discoloration, as well as dullness.
6. Vitamins & Minerals
These will strengthen your skin and help with its outer layers. Different vitamins & different minerals will work differently, just make sure to customize them per your skin type.
7. Green Tea
This is used for calming your skin (great for acne) as well as helping with fine lines and wrinkles. It is a must-have ingredient for anyone who have dry and sensitive skin.
Which Ingredients To Avoid?
Different essences and different ingredients will give you a unique outcome with regular use. However, some skin care ingredients will not suit every skin tone or different skin type. Ingredients that you should avoid at all times are parabens, sulfates, as well as phthalates.
Aside from these common ones, stay away from fermented ingredients such as perfume, clove, thyme, rose oil, as well as any product with hazel. These can be quite irritating and drying to most skin types, and you can experience irritation, redness, as well as an allergic reaction if you are not careful when it comes to your chosen beauty products and skincare items.
Top 7 Korean Essence Products
1. Laneige Power Essential Skin Refiner
Looking for the best Korean essence for hydration? Try out this one by Laneige! It is an amazing product for any skin tone and it has high-quality active ingredients that will combat aging and dry patches. Enjoy its blend of Hydro-ion mineral water and marine collagen for the ultimate nourished complexion. Your skin will look bouncy and firm for hours. Thanks to its amino acids it will prevent loss of moisture as well. Use it morning and night to get the best results. This essence is safe to use by any skin type, just apply it as the label suggests for ultimate results. It is also a unisex item, meaning that you and your husband can use it on top of your dry skin. Give it time and use it regularly if you wish to spot significant results.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Great beauty item for any skin type | Not the best essence for users who have acne |
| A must-have essence for people who have dry skin | |
| Has hyaluronic acid that will suit most skin types | |
| Promotes keratin for the overall glow of the skin | |
| Affordable | |
| Has a mild scent |
2. Essence Korean Skin Care
An affordable Korean essence that you will love if you are on a budget! This Korean beauty item is the best Korean essence for brightening properties! You will enjoy it if your skin & your complexion is a little bit dull. You will bring back the needed radiance as well as a hydrated complexion with regular use. Enjoy the blend of Japanese green tea, aloe vera, as well as cucumber, and marine minerals for your overall glow. This formula is 98% natural and the product is noncomedogenic. It will not clog your pores and it will also help with your natural pH balance. You can use it morning and night no matter your skin type. This essence is also cruelty-free, and it is super affordable when compared to some other K beauty essence options. This Korean facial essence is super easy to use as well as practical due to its spritz nozzle. Enjoy its refreshing cucumber scent, as well as comfortable and lightweight formula.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| One of the most affordable essences | Might not work on mature skin the best |
| Great skin essence for giving you a brighter complexion | Not the best skin essence for problematic skin either |
| Helps with dark spots | |
| Affordable | |
| Has a calming scent and fermented ingredients | |
| Great for any skin type | |
| Easy to apply |
3. Innisfree 2016 New Orchid Enriched Essence
If you are a fan of Korean beauty and you need a skin essence that is the best Korean essence for glowing skin, this is it! Ideal for mature skin types and people who struggle with texture, fine lines, as well as wrinkles. This beauty item will suit dehydrated as well as dull skin the best. Enjoy the galactomyces ferment and ferment filtrate of its active ingredients, such as Jeju orchids and other natural yet nourishing ingredients that will help with the overall glow and texture of your skin. This essence can help with anti-aging, dewiness, as well as dull patches. Enjoy its soothing scent, practical & beautiful packaging, as well as a floral scent for everyday morning & night-time use. Your pores will look more cleansed, and your skin will be prepped for future makeup application.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Practical & beautiful packaging | It might take some time for you to notice an improvement in your skin and its texture |
| One of the best essences on the market for mature skin | |
| Beautiful orchid & flower-based scent | |
| Helps with wrinkles & fine lines | |
| Great everyday beauty item | |
| Not too pricey | |
| Can be used by most skin types |
4. COSRX Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence
One of the best essences for anyone on a budget, as well as an amazing essence for larger pores. Enjoy the galactomyces ferment filtrate since it will help brighten and hydrate your skin. There is also Hyaluronic Acid that will keep your skin soft, fresh, supple, as well as moisturized. With regular use, this essence will help you revive tired skin and dry patches. Enjoy its lightweight texture and demolish any dark spots or hyperpigmentation. There are no parabens or sulfates in this essence, and the product is also hypoallergenic. This is a balancing beauty essence that can be used by any age group or skin type. Use it on a daily and enjoy its lightweight texture, as well as a comfortable feel. Say bye to tired and lifeless skin with regular use of this essence. COSRX is a well-known Korean beauty brand that will have a lot of items to offer.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Affordable | It might not suit people who have super dry skin |
| Great essence for any skin type | |
| Will suit younger people as well | |
| Has high-quality ferment filtrate ingredients | |
| Doesn’t irritate the skin | |
| Easy to apply | |
| Hypoallergenic & dermatologically tested |
5. Mizon Snail Repair Intensive Care Line, Snail Facial Essence
This essence by Mizon is an amazing anti aging product. If you need a beauty item that can do wonders for your skin, and your skin type is dry, mature, or dull, this product will suit you! Enjoy the blend of snail mucin, as well as Centella Asiatica for deep hydration and smaller fine lines. This anti-aging product will boost your collagen production and will help with your elasticity as well. No more wrinkles or fine lines, as well as a lot more firm skin with regular use! This item can be used morning and night over your face and neck area. Enjoy its rejuvenating formula, as well as a non-greasy texture. No more sticky residue + fermented ingredients will help with the overall texture. Perfect for anyone who want to try out something that is medium-priced in Korean beauty.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Great for dry and dull skin | Often out of stock |
| Can be used by mature skin types | Might take some time for it to fully absorb into your skin and your pores |
| Has snail mucin that will keep your skin at its optimal and glowy level | |
| Has a soothing scent for an essence | |
| Not too pricey | |
| Great for anti-aging properties |
6. Hanskin Real Complexion Hyaluronic Skin Essence
Want the best Korean essence for large pores? Hanskin is an amazing brand that offers different kinds of essences. This gorgeous bright pink bottle is travel-friendly as well as convenient for most skin types. Enjoy its hydrating formula, as well as the fact that it can hold 1,000 its weight in water. There is Hyaluronic acid as well as collagen that will keep your skin looking plump and nourished. Enjoy supple and luminous skin, as well as everyday hydration with this product. It will help with your dewy and natural complexion while you will enjoy its non-sticky formula. This essence is paraben and fragrance-free while being considered as a pricier essence when compared to other kinds. Speed up your beauty routine and let your skin breathe with regular and everyday use of this product.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Fragrance-free | A bit pricey when compared to other essence options |
| Great Korean beauty item for most skin types | Not the best choice for younger people or not as problematic skin types |
| Ideal for dry and dull skin | |
| Will help with your pores | |
| Has a soothing scent and a non-sticky formula | |
| Easy to apply | |
| Can be used by any skin type |
7. ETUDE HOUSE Moistfull Collagen Essence
Last, but not least, you can try out this essence by Etude House! This is a popular beauty brand in Korea that you will love due to its inclusivity and the vast majority of products that are available. Enjoy its super collagen blend, along with white lupin and a different blend of oils. This essence is free of minerals and it has an amazing and fast-absorbing texture. It is not too sticky on top of the skin either. This is the best Korean essence for acne prone skin. Enjoy the galactomyces ferment filtrate and different ingredients such as snail mucin and Hyaluronic acid for keeping your skin at its finest. This essence will suit every skin type, as well as different age groups. It is affordable, and it will perform the best once compared with all the other products from the Etude House collection.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Well-known brand | Might perform the best once combined with the rest of the products in the Etude House beauty |
| Great essence for texture and fine lines | Not the best essence if you’re layering your skincare products |
| Helps anyone who have acne-prone skin | |
| Doesn’t dry out the skin | |
| Keeps it supple | |
| Gives it nutrients and absorbs quickly into the skin | |
| Good price point |
Conclusion: Our Best Korean Essence
Were you able to find your ideal and ”the one” essence? Well, our ultimate favorite has got to be the Innisfree 2016 New Orchid Enriched Essence! It is an amazing & nourishing product that you can use morning & night, no matter your skin type. This essence will do wonders for men & women who have dry and dull patches.
Did you like our list and our recommended options? Will you be adding an essence to your everyday skincare routine? We hope this guide was able to help you find the best Korean essences and understand why they are so great!
