Hey Beauty Lovers!
I'm so sorry that I haven't been able to post for a while. I'm back today with an awesome review of one of my favorite K-Beauty products! For any of you that are unfamiliar with the term essence, I am going to give you a quick rundown of what an essence is used for and when to use one (or two!) in your routine.
One of the most important techniques that Korean Beauty highlights, is the concept of hydration in layers. The way this is done is by using toners, essences, sheet masks, serums, ampoules, emulsions, moisturizers, sleeping packs, and oils. Each of these steps does not have to be done every day, but this is the reason why K-Beauty routines end up with so many steps. I will be writing a long post about the technique and how to do each step next month, but for now, let's focus on the essence step.
Essences are formulated with ingredients that will penetrate the skin easier than thicker products (i.e. serums, ampoules, moisturizers...), and they will make the biggest difference for your skin. Most Korean essences target signs of aging, cell turnover, skin hydration, and/or skin brightening. Adding an essence into your routine will give you a more youthful appearance with long term use.
Essences come in different consistencies. Some are very watery while others are a little sticky. I use two different essences, one is more watery (this is the Secret Key essence) and the other is thicker. I like to use my hands to apply essence, no matter the consistency. I apply all my products from thinnest to thickest consistency. This means that the more watery essence is used after toner, but the thicker essence will be placed after other products (usually serums).
My favorite watery essence is the Secret Key Starting Treatment Essence (STE) at the moment. I have been using this essence for over a month, and I am already in love! I purchased a backup once I realized how much I need this essence in my life. I purchased the Secret Key STE from Masksheets with my own money, so this post is not sponsored in any way.
Highlighted Ingredients:
- Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
- Aloe Barbadensis Leaf
- Centella Asiatica Extract
- Mushroom Extract
- Ginseng Root
- Witch Hazel
- Rice Bran Extract
Full Ingredient List:
Water, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, Arbutin, Aloe, rh-Oligopeptide-1, Dimethicone, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Physalis Alkekengi Fruit Extract, Ougidan Extract (Mixture Extract of Paecilomyces japonica, Acanthopanax senticosus, Ganoderam Lucidum, Deer antlers, and Panax Ginseng Root), Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Adenosine, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA
Product Claims:
- Firming
- Anti-aging
- Softening
- Calming
- Brightening
- Nourishing
- Sebum Control
- Safe for sensitive skin
How to Use:
The box says to apply the essence to a cotton round and sweep gently over the face and throat after cleansing. It also says to avoid the eye area.
How I Use It:
I apply this watery essence with my hands after toning. I apply 4 layers of essence to my skin twice a day. I always make sure to include my neck.
My Experience:
In just one month, this essence made my skin extremely soft and bright. I love the heavy glass bottle, and in my opinion, it is a great dupe for the SKII First Treatment Essence! I seem to be going through half a bottle in one month, so a full bottle should last me two months. If you only use one layer of this essence at a time, this bottle should last you about 8 months! You can find this essence for under $20 usually, so this is a great deal.
I highly recommend this essence. It is perfect for all skin types and skin concerns (except maybe rosacea). If you haven't been using an essence, I suggest picking up a bottle of this magical STE.
I hope that this review was helpful! Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and reading my review. If you have tried this essence, or you are planning on picking one up after reading this review, please leave a comment down below. Also, please feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions or suggestions.
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