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How to Choose the Right Essence for Your Skin Type
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How to Choose the Right Essence for Your Skin Type

19 May 2025


The Best Essences for Your Skin Type

If you follow the latest Korean beauty and skincare trends, you may have come across the term “essence” before. This term comes from Asia. Face serums go by many names, such as face mist, spa water, hot spring water, or toner.

In this article, you’ll learn more about serums, how they work, and how to find the best one for your skin type.

What is an Essence in Skincare?

What is an Essence?

Korean serums are considered an important step in Korean beauty skincare. They are similar to toners and are used as a base before serums or moisturizers. Essences are very popular among Korean beauty enthusiasts. They provide moisture so that the skin can better absorb the key ingredients of the next product. We think of serums as toners that are sprayed on the face or applied with cotton pads. We think of toners and serums as synonyms.

Here are some of our favorite dermatologist-recommended serums:

EltaMD Skin Repair Essence Toner – Contains hydrating glycerin, biosaccharides, and the amino acid arginine, which is a component of the natural moisturizing factor. These make the skin look glassy.

Murad Hydro Power Quenching Serum –

Skinceuticals Phytocorrective Mist contains glycerin and hyaluronic acid to moisturize and brighten the skin, and also contains antioxidants.

Bioderma Hydrabio Serum – contains niacinamide to soothe the skin, sodium PCA and mannitol to plump the complexion, and antioxidant vitamin E.

Alpha-Tocopherol, Vitamin E

Is a serum necessary for flawless skin?

Serums are not for every Bowman skin type. In fact, we use serums more often than toners or facial serums in our personal skincare routines. To have flawless skin, you need the best skincare products for your skin type. A serum may or may not be necessary for your skin type. Read on to find out which serum is right for your skin type. However, it is best to take a skin type test to determine your skin type and create a personalized skincare routine to know if a serum is right for your skin type.

Serum vs. Essence

What is the difference between a serum and an essence?

Both serums and essences are important steps in a comprehensive skincare routine, and are the third step in your skincare routine after eye cream. While both are formulated with hydrophilic (water-attracting) ingredients to deeply hydrate the skin, there are significant differences in their ingredients and textures. Serums often feel like toners, are usually lighter, and have higher water and alcohol content. This thinner, more liquid consistency allows them to evaporate or absorb. As a result, serums are ideal for use as a base layer to prepare the skin for subsequent products without leaving a sticky feeling. They also hydrate the skin and improve the absorption of subsequent ingredients.

Serums, on the other hand, are usually thicker and have a gel-like consistency. They are usually more concentrated than serums and are designed to deliver effective doses of active ingredients directly into the skin. Serums are specifically developed to target specific skin concerns, such as fine lines, dark spots, or loss of elasticity. Despite the differences in formula and texture, serums and essences work best when they penetrate deep into the skin, ensuring that the active ingredients they contain are effectively delivered to the desired skin layers.

Difference between essential oils and serums

Essences vs. oils

Essences contain water-soluble ingredients. They can only be fully mixed with oils by using emulsifiers. For dry skin, use oils; for oily skin, use serums.

Click this link to learn more about skin care oils.

Note: Essential oils and essences are two completely different things.

Application of serums

Skin care serums are usually packaged in spray bottles and are often called “sprays”, for example: B.Element 47 Skin Care Spray. Sometimes they are also applied with a cotton ball. However, some dermatologists recommend using fingertips to gently press the serum into the skin.

Should I use serum or essence first?

Serums and serums can be used together as long as the ingredients are compatible. If using both serum and essence, apply the serum first and then the serum.

Should I use serum or moisturizer first?

When using cream and serum together, apply the serum first and the cream last. However, make sure your moisturizer coordinates with the ingredients in your serum, as moisturizers can render the ingredients ineffective when used on top of one another.

That’s why every product and every step in your skincare routine is important.

Which serum is right for your skin type?

Which serum is best for your skin type?

Best moisturizing serums for dry skin

Dry skin should choose a serum that hydrates the skin after cleansing without damaging the skin barrier and further drying it out. Avoid skincare serums that contain alcohol. (Fatty acid alcohols are OK.) Denatured alcohols in toners and serums can cause skin drying in high concentrations. Many facial serums contain too much alcohol to be suitable for dry skin.

Pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA) helps increase the skin’s moisture level and provides light hydration. It’s a component of the natural moisturizing factor and is great for dry skin when used under a moisturizer.

Best serum ingredients for dry skin:

Aloe vera

Calendula officinalis (marigold)

Chamomile

Cucumber extract

Feverfew

Glycerin

Green tea

Hyaluronic acid

Panthenol (provitamin B5)

PCA

Sodium PCA

Sorbitol

If you want to keep your skincare routine simple and affordable, skip the serum and focus on a good cleanser and moisturizer for dry skin instead. These are more important than a serum for dry skin.

Hyaluronic acid

Best serum for oily skin

People with oily skin can use a skin serum as part of their skincare routine to unclog pores and remove excess sebum, as well as dirt and debris after cleansing.

If you have oily skin, look for a serum that contains witch hazel, alcohol, and silver. The antibacterial properties of witch hazel can shrink pores, while the alcohol and silver kill skin bacteria.

Best serums for sensitive skin

For sensitive skin, choose a serum with soothing, anti-inflammatory ingredients to calm the skin.

Look for ingredients like aloe vera that can reduce inflammation.

Good soothing ingredients in a face serum include:

Green tea

Best serums for sensitive skin

Best serums for combination skin

To achieve fresh-looking skin, combination skin types need a gentle exfoliating face serum that leaves skin looking smooth and glowing.

Best serums for acne-prone skin

If you have acne, choose a face serum spray with silver to kill skin bacteria and keep your skin clear. Avoid serums with comedogenic ingredients, such as coconut oil.

Aloe vera also has anti-inflammatory properties, and vitamin E moisturizes the skin and protects it from free radicals.

Acne treatment serums in facial sprays are popular because the spray application allows them to be applied to hard-to-reach areas like the back or buttocks.

Serums for aging, wrinkle-prone skin

Anti-aging serums should contain antioxidants. You can never have too many antioxidants on your skin. Anti-wrinkle serums contain water-soluble antioxidants like green tea and vitamin C.

Hypoallergenic facial serums for sensitive skin

If you have sensitive skin, you should avoid serums that contain the most common allergens. Look for hypoallergenic facial toners.

Bioderma Soothing Toner

€10.99

Add to cart

Facial Serum Water

Serum water is also known as thermal water, thermal water, or facial spray. (Micellar water is not a serum, but a cleanser.)

There are many different types of water that can be contained in serum water. The type of water determines the effectiveness of the serum.

Nuxe Rose Fresh Facial Toner

€21.00

Out of stock

Organic, natural, pure face serums

There are many herbal serums that are organic, natural and pure. First, know your skin type and then look for organic ingredients that address potential skin problems.

16 Baumann Skin Types

Summary

Hopefully this article will help you optimize your skincare routine. If someone asks you “What is a serum in skincare?”, answer “A popular term for a fresh toner you spray on your face.”

Before choosing a serum, make sure you need it in your skincare routine. Take the test and we’ll tell you which products are best for your Baumann skin type.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
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