Serum, Toners & Essense

Toner

A toner is the first step after cleansing. Its main job is to rebalance the skin’s pH, lightly hydrate, and remove any leftover impurities. Some toners also prep the skin so it can absorb the next products better. Depending on the formula, toners can be hydrating, exfoliating, or clarifying.

Essence

An essence is a lightweight, watery treatment that delivers deep hydration and boosts skin repair. It’s like a bridge between toner and serum. Essences help improve absorption of the products that follow while giving the skin a soft, plump, hydrated feel. They are especially popular in Korean skincare.

Serum

A serum is the most concentrated treatment of the three. It targets specific concerns such as dark spots, acne, wrinkles, dehydration, or dullness. Serums contain powerful active ingredients (like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, peptides, niacinamide) that penetrate deeper into the skin for visible results.