A smooth, supple glass skin is anticipated while keenly following a skincare routine. Boosting hydration and nourishing skin can be made more effective with some of the best facial essences that can replenish and restore the natural balance of the skin. Facial essences are an optimal source of deep moisturization and conditioning. They have a lightweight, layerable texture that can be used for layering and making the absorption of other products more effective.

Facial essences contain a relatively higher percentage of active ingredients like fermented rice, yeast, and vitamin A that promote an even and healthier complexion. They can also be a valuable addition to your skin care regimen for reducing dark spots and soothing sunburn. Besides, they can improve the elasticity and texture of your skin. With such great revitalizing power and anti-aging effects, facial essences can also help in relieving skin stress and reducing signs of aging. It’s quite possible that they might as well be the product you’re looking for to upgrade your skincare regimen.

Finding a suitable essence for you could be demanding as you need to ensure the ingredients infused in it are meant for your skin type and needs. To help you find the best facial essence, we have curated a list of products for you. Scroll away to see our product recommendations!

• 1

  MISSHA TIME REVOLUTION THE FIRST TREATMENT ESSENCE

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Formulated with fermented yeast extract solution which has a positive effect on skin vitality and metabolism, this facial essence by MISSHA makes your skin look youthful and plump (1). This soothing essence by MISSHA is an amazing addition to your skincare for boosting moisture and giving optimal hydration to your skin. Owing to its lightweight texture, it absorbs easily and preps your skin for a nourishing skincare routine. You can use this product as the first step of your skincare regimen to enhance the absorption of other products.

2

NUMBUZIN NO.3 TONER SUPER GLOWING ESSENCE

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Infused with fermented natural ingredients that play a vital role in promoting skin health, this brightening essence boosts skin elasticity and improves your complexion. The rubra meadowsweet extracts infused in it are effective for treating anti-inflammatory skin conditions which makes this product ideal for reducing dryness and redness of the skin (2). And owing to its moist and gooey texture, this toner facilitates rapid absorption of subsequent skin care products — making it a must-have for your beauty routine.

 

3

Best Hydrating Formula

NEOGEN DERMALOGY Hyal Glow Rose Essence

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This rose essence by NEOGEN DERMALOGY is a perfect choice for minimalists who want to tone and hydrate their skin at the same time. The Damask rose and oil infusion makes this skincare product a must-have to hydrate, repair, and replenish your skin. Using this rose essence on a daily basis helps maintain the skin barrier, balances pH levels of the skin, and keeps it smooth and soft always. The best thing is that it gets easily absorbed into the skin and doesn’t give your skin a sticky feel. 

4

Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner

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With a luxuriously hydrating formula, this highly enriched essence by Pyunkang Yul works miraculously in restoring the texture and elasticity of the skin. The addition of astragalus root extract, which is an effective anti-inflammatory agent, makes this product suitable to reduce itching, redness, and dryness of the skin (3). You can include this toner as a first step in your morning skincare routine to create a nourished base for other skin care products.

 

5

Best Anti-wrinkle Formula

ELEMIS London Pro-Collagen Marine Moisture Essence

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A clinically proven product, this nourishing essence by ELEMIS London is a go-to for all your skin hydration needs. It is packed with hyaluronic acid, Padina pavonica, and multi-mineral active ingredients — all of which come together to work effectively on your skin and rejuvenate it. The amazing formula provides intense hydration to the skin, smoothes fine lines, boosts collagen production, and delays the signs of aging. Use it twice every day to energize your skin and prepare it to look flawless throughout the day. 

6

Best Overall

I’m from RICE TONER

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Owing to the fortified goami rice extracts that are effective for skin-lightening, this product makes your complexion dewy, and your skin firm and smooth (4). The rice toner is deeply moisturizing and makes your skin softer and healthier. The addition of sirtuin — an active anti-aging agent in the formula makes this essence suitable for relieving skin stress and reducing premature aging symptoms (5). On top of that, this product intends to protect your skin against sun damage, which makes it among the best facial essences out there.

 

7

Curel Moisture Facial Lotion Enrich

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Prepared with a nourishing blend of ceramides that improve skin barrier, this facial lotion by Curel is perfect to boost skin’s health and defense against harsh environments (5). This ultra-hydrating facial essence boosts natural radiance of your skin while also moisturizing it thoroughly. The gel formula of this facial mist is gentle on the skin and has a calming effect. Specially designed for dry skin, it locks in moisture and conditions dehydrated skin. For best results, take 3-4 pumps of this product and apply on your face with cleansing.

 

8

Best for Diminishing Pores

COSRX Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence

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With a balanced formula of active ingredients such as niacinamide, this revitalizing essence by COSRX penetrates deeply into your skin to boost its radiance and hydration. The addition of galactomyces ferment filtrate in this toner further mollycoddles and softens rough and dry skin, while also reducing pore size by decreasing sebum production (7). Owing to its lightweight formula, this essence absorbs swiftly into your skin to enhance its glow and clarity. You can apply it on your skin after cleansing to attain soft and supple skin.

 

9

Best for Pigmented Skin

Joseon Ginseng Essence Water

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Infused with ginseng root water, an active ingredient, this product helps improve the elasticity and replenish your skin’s natural moisture. Ginseng also has an anti-aging effect on the skin which makes this essence effective for preventing signs of aging (8). This nourishing essence water also contains red bean extracts, which has proven to be effective for clearing out black spots and diminishing your skin’s pores (9). You can apply this to revitalize your skin before starting your morning skincare routine.

 

 

10

Best for Purifying Benefits

I’m from MUGWORT ESSENCE

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This hydrating toner makes your skin youthful and plum. Infused with tea tree extracts, an effective antibacterial agent, this product is ideal to get rid of skin impurities and absorb excess sebum (10). Owing to its lightweight and purifying texture, this essence absorbs into the skin easily to provide deep moisturization and rejuvenation. You can use this facial mist to soothe irritated, rough, or photodamaged skin. For best results, dab some amount of this essence on your face and follow it with your skincare routine.

 

11

Hanskin Real Complexion Hyaluron Essence

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By leveraging the goodness of plush humectants, this essence by Hanskin nourishes your skin and helps restore its natural glow. With the addition of hyaluronic acid, an effective agent for boosting skin hydration and smoothness, this product benefits the skin by making it soft and moisturized. This product also reduces wrinkles and fine lines which makes this essence suitable for treating signs of aging (11). You can apply this facial mist after cleansing your face to make your skin dewy and plump.

 

12

Best for Sensitive Skin

TORRIDEN SOLID IN Essence

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This hydrating facial essence by TORRIDEN enhances moisture retention of the skin and makes it healthy and plump. Infused with a nourishing blend of ceramides, which are proven to maintain the skin barrier and reduce inflammation, this product soothes and rejuvenates dry skin (12). Owing to its lightweight texture, this gel-based serum can also be mixed with your moisturizer or sunscreen to make your skin soft and supple.  You can apply this to your face after cleansing. 

 

13

Best Anti-Aging Facial Essence

JIN JUNG SUNG SOOTHING MOISTURE SKIN ESSENCE

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By employing a nourishing blend of active ingredients, this soothing facial essence by JIN JUNG SUNG provides deep nourishment and hydration to your skin. Infused with organic lavender water that is effective for preventing photodamage and aging, this product shines among the best anti-aging facial essences to soothe your skin after sun exposure. Its lavender content is also beneficial in combating blemishes and treating skin infections which makes this most suitable for making your complexion even and radiant (13). For best results, apply this product after cleansing your face.

 

 

14

VEGAN KOMBUCHA TEA ESSENCE

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Made with a purifying blend of anti-inflammatory agents, this hydrating tea essence by KOMBUCHA detoxifies and strengthens your skin. With the infusion of Kombucha tea, this facial essence calms your skin and prevents inflammation. The product also has detoxifying properties, which make it suitable for clearing out dirt and impurities on the skin. With an organic formula, this soaks into your skin quickly to seal in moisture. You can apply this facial mist daily before starting your skincare routine to get dewy skin.

 

15

Best for Acne-prone Skin

NATURIUM Niacinamide Essence 3%

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This soothing essence by NATURIUM provides optimal hydration and nourishment to your skin. With an infusion of niacinamide, which is proven to lead to improvement in moisture content, this product refines your skin texture and gives it a dewy look. This ingredient is also effective for reducing wrinkles, acne, and skin irritation, making this product a go-to for treating skin concerns (14). The product formula intends to regulate the pH level of your skin to reduce inflammation and flakiness. You can spray this facial mist on your entire face to make it feel soft and plump.

 

 

16

Best Anti-Pollution Essence

Fresh - BLACK TEA KOMBUCHA FACIAL TREATMENT ESSENCE

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This brightening essence by KOMBUCHA replenishes skin moisture and gives a vibrant glow. Infused with kombucha, an anti-aging agent, this facial mist reduces fine lines and wrinkles to make your skin youthful and healthy. Kombucha also has antioxidant properties that make your skin feel rejuvenated and smooth (15). This product intends to prep your skin before you start your skincare routine. You can apply this daily to protect your skin against environmental pollutants and pesky pores.

 

17

MIZON FIRST ESSENCE Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate

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Formulated with ferment filtrate, which is an antioxidative ingredient, this product by Mizon revitalizes the skin, eliminates excess sebum, and diminishes enlarged pores (7). With a  refreshing formula, this facial mist enhances the moisture and elasticity of your skin. This facial mist also intends to restore skin balance and reduce signs of aging. You can use this as the first step of your skincare regimen to enhance the texture and complexion of your skin.

 

Now that you have seen our product recommendations for the best facial essences, read through the buying guide and the steps so that you can choose the best product for your skin concerns.

 

Here are some factors to consider before buying a facial essence:

Layerable Texture: The most unique feature of a facial essence is that it possesses a layerable texture that absorbs into the skin rapidly. Layering also ensures it forms a base for the effective soaking of subsequent products such as serums, moisturizers, sunscreens etc. Once a nourished base is formed on the skin, your moisturizer and sunscreen can blend in relatively well to give optimal hydration to your skin. 

Natural Ingredients: Essences are essentially added to a skincare routine to boost hydration and enhance skin elasticity. Using a facial essence with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, fermented yeast extracts, and vitamins, can refine your skin texture and complexion. These also help in improving moisture retention making your skin feel plump and soft.

Skin Type: While essences, in general, have hydrating and nourishing properties, what works for oily and combination skin may not work so well for dry skin. For oily and combination skin, oil-free essence can be more effective. You can go for ingredients like tea tree extracts, and niacinamide when buying an essence for oily skin. 

On the contrary, for dry skin, essences with enriched hydrating formulas can do wonders. You can look out for essences with hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, fermented rice extract, and sunflower seed oil when buying an essence if your skin is dry.

You can use facial essence daily. Here are some steps to follow to get the best of the product:

Step 1: Cleanse your face with a good cleanser. If you have acne-prone skin, use mild cleansers as fragrances may aggravate acne.

Step 2: Take 4-5 drops of toner or as per your requirement, either on your palm or cotton pad, and dab it evenly on your face. This will ensure your face gets hydrated and feels fresh.

Step 3: After applying toner, take an appropriate amount of facial essence similarly to ensure your skin feels soft and supple.

Step 4: You can use your moisturizer and sunscreen once you feel the facial essence is soaked in. This will ensure that the products you use on your face after a facial essence get absorbed more effectively.

Conclusion:

Facial essences are a great addition to prep your skin before you do your skincare routine. They hydrate, soothe, nourish, and may protect your skin from sun damage and skin irritations. Using a facial essence daily may also enhance the effectiveness of your moisturizer, sunscreen or other products you may use. They can also help in clearing out impurities, eliminating excess sebum and reducing pore size. Hence, the best facial essences can be included in your skincare routine to make your skin dewy and plump. Ensure you go through our buying guide before making a purchase. Happy shopping!