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.