11 Best Facial Essences That Will Really Level Up Your Skincare Routine
#1 La Prairie Skin Caviar Essence-In-Lotion, $405 (150 ml)
If you havent heard, La Prairies Skin Caviar skincare range is packed with nutrients extracted from sturgeon caviar, which are essential for cellular regeneration. Rich in peptides, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, these products improve skin resilience for smoother, firmer skin. And to prep for optimal absorption of all these goodness, La Prairies Skin Caviar Essence-In-Lotion is made with distilled Caviar Water that restores skins moisture and lipid levels. This means that products applied after are absorbed better for maximum benefits. All you have to do is dispense a coin-sized amount of this slightly viscous gel-like lotion onto your palms and pat into your skin. Instantly, skin is refreshed, revitalised and ready to receive treatment products like serums and moisturisers.
#2 SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, $269 (230 ml)
Unchanged for over three decades, this multi award-winning facial essence provides skin with over 50 micro-nutrients like vitamins, minerals, amino acids and organic acids to restore skins natural functions like cellular turnover and regeneration. Just saturate a cotton pad and apply onto skin after cleansing for softer and smoother skin that glows.
#3 Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum EX, $115 (60 ml)
As the Korean beauty brands best-selling item for almost 20 years, this booster serum harnesses the benefits of prized Korean herbs to balance, energise and hydrate skin so a dull complexion gives way to a healthy, glowing one. Thanks to a painstaking 18-hour extraction method, the JAUM Balancing Complex is obtained and is the key compound that provides your skin with a global anti-ageing action. Dispense two to three pumps of serum onto your palms before smoothing onto skin as the first skincare step to boost its absorption of other products applied after.
#4 LOréal Paris Revitalift Micronized Centella Essence Water, $29.90 (130 ml)
A trusted herb that has been used to heal wounds since centuries ago, this essence water contains Centella Asiatica extract, infusing skin with its miraculous skin-repairing benefits. In addition, the formula contains micronised droplets, which ensure that it penetrates deep into skin layers without any stickness or greasiness to regenerate skin from inside out.
#6 HERA Cell Essence, $80 (150 ml)
At one glance, youll know that this skin essence means serious business because an entire list of components that are essential for optimal cellular function is clearly labeled on the bottle itself. This clearly signals to consumers that it contains everything your skin needs to be healthy, including amino acids, sugars, peptides, lips, ions, hyaluronic acid and NMF (Natural Moisturizing Factors). To apply, saturate the two-sided cotton pads that the essence comes with and sweep all over skin using the softer side. Once or twice a week, opt for the bumpy side for additional exfoliating benefits for smoother, more radiant skin.
#7 Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Premium Hydrating Lotion, $24.90 (170 ml)
For those whose skin needs a little extra help in retaining moisture, this is your best bet. Formulated with hyaluronic acid of five different molecular weights, this deeply hydrating lotion replenishes, stores and locks in hydration instantly for softer and smoother skin. Plus, it is pH-balanced to minimise irritation and keeps skin supple all day long.
#8 Su:m37 Secret Essence, $108 (80 ml)
Natural fermentation processes are the pillars of this Korean skincare brand. As its name suggests, natural ingredients found in the brands skincare products are left to ferment under highly regulated conditions, specifically at 37 degrees Celsius to re