An essence should always be used after cleansing and toning, and works best when applied before additional products, such as moisturizer. When used as a part of a regular skin care routine, an essence can help you maintain soft, hydrated, and protected skin. Jadoon S, et al. (2015).

What are essences used for?

An essence is applied to a clean face, prepping the skin to effectively absorb subsequent products, like serum and moisturizer. Ni'Kita Wilson, a cosmetic chemist who is the vice president for sales and innovation at Aware Products, likens the essence's role to loosening garden soil before watering it.

Do you put essence on before or after moisturizer?

In traditional Korean beauty standards, you would apply an essence after cleansing and toning, but before moisturizing. This essence contains hyaluronic acid to boost hydration and salicylic acid to gently exfoliate and fight breakouts. Just be careful not to get too close to the eyes, says Dr.