I'm From - Rice Toner

Essence or lotion is a key step in Korean skincare routines, often considered the secret to hydrated, radiant skin that's ready for the next steps. This lightweight yet powerful product acts as a booster to maximize the effectiveness of your routine. But why should you incorporate an essence or lotion into your daily ritual?

1. Prepare the skin for the following treatments

After cleansing, skin can sometimes feel dehydrated or tight. An essence or lotion instantly hydrates and softens the skin, creating a perfect base for the serums and creams that follow.

2. Deep hydration

Thanks to their light texture, essences and lotions penetrate the skin quickly and provide long-lasting hydration without feeling heavy. They are particularly suitable for dehydrated or stressed skin.

3. Boosts cell renewal

Many essences are enriched with active ingredients, such as mild acids or fermented extracts, which stimulate cell renewal and reveal smoother, more radiant skin.

4. Evenness of skin tone

Some specific formulas contain brightening ingredients that help to fade dark spots and enhance the skin's natural radiance.

5. Strengthening of the skin barrier

Essences and lotions often contain soothing and nourishing active ingredients that strengthen the skin barrier, thus protecting the skin against external aggressions and loss of moisture.

How to use an essence or lotion?

1. Apply after toner : Once your skin is cleansed and toned, take a few drops of essence or lotion.

2. Gently pat : Apply the product with your hands by lightly patting it all over your face to promote absorption.

3. Continue with your skincare routine : Follow with your serum, cream, or any other product from your routine.

The difference between a lotion and an essence in a skincare routine lies primarily in their texture, purpose, and place within the routine. Here's a summary to better understand their specific characteristics:

Lotion

Texture:

• Generally light and watery, sometimes slightly gel-like.
• It often resembles a hydrating toner.

Objective :

• Hydration and preparation: The lotion helps to rehydrate the skin after cleansing and toning, while balancing the skin's pH.
• Skin preparation: It acts as a base to better absorb the products that follow (essence, serum, etc.).

Use :

• After cleansing and toning.
• Apply by gently patting with your hands or onto a cotton ball.

Skin types concerned:

• Suitable for all skin types, especially dry or dehydrated skin which benefits from extra hydration.

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Essence

Texture:

• Richer than a lotion, but lighter than a serum.
• Fluid or slightly viscous texture.

Objective :

• Active boost: The essence is formulated with concentrated active ingredients to target specific needs (intense hydration, radiance, anti-aging).
• Boosting benefits: It optimizes the results of subsequent treatments such as serums and creams.

Use :

• After the lotion, before the serum.
• Apply by gently patting onto the face with your hands.

Skin types concerned:

• Suitable for all skin types, with formulations adapted to specific needs (radiance, firmness, anti-blemish, etc.).

In summary:

• Lotion : Prepares the skin and provides light, basic hydration.
• Essence : Boosts active ingredients to target specific needs and improve the effectiveness of other treatments.

The two can be used together for a complete routine, respecting the order: lotion → essence → serum → cream .

(From the most liquid to the thickest)