Someone said to me the other day, “You can’t get anything past BBB readers – they know so much!” and it’s true – I have my proud face on right now. After featuring the new Clinique Even Better Essence, a couple of readers popped into comments and shared new, or little known essences. Thank you Kristi and Paris B! It’s absolutely looking like Essences are going to be as popular as BB creams – remember when we’d never even heard of a BB? And all the explaining it took to get our heads around this new concept of make-up? BBs are so commonplace, as are CCs, but I think we were more ready for CCs because we’d got our heads around the BB! So, the same will follow with Essences. If you missed the Clinique Even Better Essence Post, an essence is a sort of sandwich ingredient that you use after cleansing and before moisturising – it’s like a thick water that you pat into your skin to ramp up moisturiser and help your skincare work more effectively (basically put).
So, who knew Bobbi Brown already had an essence in the form of Extra Treatment Lotion? Lancome’s Energie de Vie Lotion has launched stateside but not yet here in the UK, and Estee Lauder’s Micro Essence is Asia and World Duty Free only, currently.. but watch this space. Actually, Lauder already have a Softening Lotion (the same as an Essence, unless anyone can correct me?) in the Re Nutriv range HERE.
If you want to get on the trend before it goes mainstream, I can highly recommend Suqqu Moist Flow Lotion (£60) HERE and obviously, Clinique Even Better Essence (£30) HERE on an early release.
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21 comments
Shu Uemura also have essences and lotions like this!
Hi jane,
I love the sound of this as I quite enjoy my skin care routine. I like to treat it as little snippet of luxury ‘me time’. As such I already use a serum, morning and evening. I was wondering if this is something you would as well as, or instead of, a serum? And if it is in conjunction with a serum, would you use it before or after?
Thanks ever so, I am really looking forward to try this out.
Emily x
P.S. Are there any accessible far eastern skin care brands that you recommend.? I am looking for things that are more simple but effective than gimmicky or innovative for innovation’s sake. Thank you x
Do you know DHC? Quite hard to get hold of but available in the UK x
oh, and before serum.. not instead of.. it’s an extra step x
Perfect. That sounds lovely, especially as I adore my serums and would be loathe to give them up. I have heard of DHC, I have used the cleansing oil several times in the past and did really enjoy it, so I will definitely look into this brand a little more deeply.
Thank you so much x
Isn’t that exactly what the amazing SK-II skincare essence is? That’s been around for yonks! I’ve just bought one of the DHC ones to try with their Pore Milk… though not sure I need another step in my skincare routine 🙂
There are lots of essences in existence already but up until now they haven’t been particularly mainstream in the UK.. Shiseido has done them for a long time .. the post is really about how they’re going to be a new mainstream trend.
I’m using an Origins treatment lotion – Make a difference +, seems similar to the others also, they call it a “Rejuvenating treatment lotion” , makes me skin quite soft also…. another option to look at perhaps???
I started using them after work took me to China for a while. They are readily available over there and I stuck with SKII for the Facial Treatment Essence (bought in bulk in duty free as it’s cheaper in Asia than here in the UK). It’s now part of my routine and I enjoy using it as well as noticed my skin being able to absorb everything I follow up with a lot better..
Wow these sound like I need to try them! Love the sound of the Lancome Essence.
Josie xoxo Fashion Mumblr
I’ve tried a couple of the Shiseido softeners and like them. It is an extra step but for someone with combo skin that can be dehydrated, I found they gave me just enough moisture without making me oilier this winter. It was after reading your posts when L’Occitane Divine Softening Lotion was launched that my interest in this particular type of skincare was piqued!
Laneige has just launched a line in stores and on-line at Target in the US. I plan to try this line after I finish my current softener. The line includes several emulsions and toners. If you read the description of the toners, they reference softening and replenishing moisture in the skin. It is purely speculation on my part but I’m guessing it was labeled as a ‘toner’ to help with sales/marketing. The concept of softening lotions, essences and emulsions are still very new in the beauty culture in the US but we know and understand the “cleanse-tone-moisturize” mantra! Price points are reasonable and range from $22 to $55 US.
Yes, “essence” and “lotion” (sometimes softening lotion) are used interchangeably to mean a clear or sometimes opaque liquid that you apply after cleansing, but before serum and/or moisturiser. It’s not meant to remove left-over dirt or makeup. I’m not sure it is necessary.
There’s a multi-step process for skin care regimes in Asia, which most Asian women who have busy schedules don’t even follow. Here it is:
– cleansing oil (if you have a lot of makeup or feel your face is oily)
– cleanser (foam or gel)
– lotion or essence
– serum
– moisturiser + eye cream
– sunscreen (if during the day; but obviously not necessary at night).
What about Benefit’s Moisture Prep Toning Lotion? It’s description reads, “The special step for extra radiant skin. Moisture prep toning lotion smoothes and revitalizes allowing skin to fully optimize benefits of your moisturizer,” sounds like an essence to me.
Yes it does, and I think they’ve probably used the word toner so we understand what to do with it better.
As an Asian, i found the asian skincare regime a bit overwhelming. Softening Lotion equals toner for me, serums/essences often block my pores instead so I skip them, the essence-in-lotion kinda thing from EL / Clinique will make my face slime-y and i’m not a fan of them. I just follow with eye cream and moisturizer and call it a day, haha!
Hi Jane, I know SKII also have an Essence. It is a thicker texture (somewhere between water & gel texture) than a toner (water texture). This brings to my question, what is the difference between the a toner and an essence?
If and when I use a toner, it’s more as part of the cleanse.. toners don’t really tone, as such. An essence is a moisture step, not a cleanse or tone step.
Hi Jane
Would you still use a toner with an essence?
Thanks
Sian
Flicksandredlips.blogspot.com
If you already use a toner in your routine, yes you would continue to use. x
There are loads of choices in Asia (naturally). Try Fancl, Tony Moly, Missha, Laneige…..the choices really are endless!
I think Melvita’s Extraordinary Water sound like one of these and half the price. Very nice to use…