Essence

A Korean essence is a lightweight, watery step that goes on after toner and before serum or cream, adding hydration so the next products spread easily. This collection is mostly face essences, with a few sheet masks, hydrating toners and essence-style products such as a lip essence, a hair essence and a sun essence.

Brands include Belif, VT Cosmetics, The History of Whoo, OHUI, UNOVE, COSRX, Missha and ISOI. Examples are the COSRX Advanced Snail Radiance Dual Essence, the Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence, the VT Cosmetics TX-Toning Essence and the Numbuzin No.1 Clear Filter Sun Essence.

Choose a hydrating essence for daily use and keep acid essences, such as the AHA one, to a few evenings a week. If you are curious about a popular essence ingredient, Snail Mucin vs Bean Essence: Choose by Texture, Not Hype is a good place to start.