In your essence
Asian women tend to be early adopters when it comes to new skincare and they’ve been into essences for a while. These look like toners, but are in fact a cocktail of anti-agers suspended in a liquid. They offer ultra-light hydration and penetrate deeply and quickly so active ingredients get to work fast. You apply by pressing into the skin with your hands and then sealing with your serum and moisturiser.
I’ve trialled Estée Lauder’s Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion $120. My skin texture improved visibly after using the high-tech blend of nutrients and peptides – it looked plumper, smoother and hydrated.
From left to right: Chantecaille Vital Essence $193. Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence $134. This Works No Wrinkles Wonder Essence $89. Estée Lauder’s Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion $120.
Essences aren’t new, however. Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence $134 has been around since 1897 and fans prize its powers to soften and hydrate dry skin.
But the new versions offer the latest breakthrough ingredients to boost the renewal process and target everything from tone and sensitivity to lines and radiance.
If essences take off in a big way you can expect the concept to trickle down to the more affordable brands. In the meantime, products available here at the moment are pricey:
Chantecaille Vital Essence $193 is filled with potent antioxidants to brighten and heal skin.
sephora SK-II Facial Treatment Essence $220 is enriched with Pitera (an ingredient found in the sake brewing process in Japan) to enhance the renewal process.This Works No Wrinkles Wonder Essence $89 balances the skin, sweeping away dead cells, and infuses it with hydrating hyaluronic acid.
