One thing we all have to agree is Asians are expert when it comes to skin care. Asian skin care treatments are constantly evolving because of the culture. In fact, skin care technology in Korea is about 12 years ahead of the states. All skincare products are designed to help them achieve flawless looking skin. Hence, this is one of the reasons why k beauty has grown in popularity in the past few years. After all, we are always looking to explore new skin care products to enhance our look, don’t we? Guess what? There’s one product that many Asian beauty bloggers swear by to improve their skin barrier and the performance of their skin care. This secret weapon is activating essence.
What is activating essence?
Activating essence is an anti-aging essence that formulated to boost your skincare routines. Normally, it is used as the first step after cleansing, like an ‘appetizer’ in your skincare routine. It prepares your skin to elevate your skincare product’s absorption. Most activating essence contains ingredients like yeast extract that will help regenerate your skin cell. That being said it replenishes the skin and strengthens the skin barrier.
I believe the activating essence trend started with a Japanese brand SK-II. Their facial treatment essence has won countless international awards. It contains over 90% of PITERA with moisturizing factors that keeps your skin hydrated and healthy. This bottle of miracle water claimed to make your skin crystal clear by preventing spots, reducing fine lines, refining skin textures, improves firmness and elevates skin radiance. It became a cult favorite and other brands have been coming out with their own essence ever since that.
Activating essence is not serum.
One question people tend to ask a lot is: Can they replace serum with activating essence? The answer is NO. Serum contains a high concentration of active ingredients that penetrate into your skin. Activating essence is a boost for your skincare products in helping them absorb better into the skin and improve skin texture. Serum is designed to combat specific problems on your skin. For instance, dark spots, brightening, and wrinkles. However, using both of them together will bring distinctive effect to your skin.
Should you add activating essence to your skincare routine?
If you have a relatively healthy skin barrier and absorb all the good stuff you apply to your skin perfectly, you can probably pass on this one. On the contrary, if you have aging skin, rough and dry skin texture, this one might give you a helping hand. Dry or aging skin generally do not absorb skincare very well. Therefore, activating the skin cell is crucial for them. In this way, their skincare products are able to penetrate deep into the skin. Young skin before age of 23 can probably skip this step too. Get yourself a good sunscreen and start to apply that everyday instead. Protect your skin from sun damage is the best thing to prevent aging. Additionally, if you’d like to start to your anti-aging skin care at your 20s, activating essence is a brilliant first choice.
How to add an activating essence to your skin care routine?
You can add an activating essence to your skin care routine anytime. The molecule of activating essence is usually very small and absorb into your skin quickly. Activating essence is most commonly apply on the first step of your skin care routine after you clean your face. However, there are some of them only be applied right after toner. Make sure you use your activating essence right for optimal result.
My personal experience – activating essence for dry and sensitive skin
I’ve been using activating essences for about three to four years now. I’ve emptied a few bottles of activating essence and I’d like to share my experience with you. First, I think this is a good add-on product if you already established your basic skin care routine and you feel that your skin care products didn’t work as well like before. I have really dry skin and due to I broke my skin barrier before, my skin is quite sensitive as well.
Activating essences really enhance the effect of my skin care products. I can immediately notice the difference on some of the days when I get lazy or forgot to use it.
My first activating essence is Biotherm life plankton essence. It did hydrate and soften my skin, but I didn’t notice much difference after all. And the reasons are most likely because I was young and had better skin. Thus, I stopped using that after I gone through my first bottle. Sadly, my skin got in bad condition when I started a makeup course. I was having heavy makeup on at least 5 days a week due to the course. I over-washed my face and had weakened my barrier function. Long story short, I started using activating essence again and this time it works like a charm.
Although none of the activating essences were targetted for repairing moisture barrier, I feel that it’s helping me by absorbing serum and moisturizer better. In another word, my skin is getting the basic level of hydration they needed. So it kinda makes my skin more stable and healthy.
Here are some examples of activating essence to help you out if you never tried one.
Biotherm life plankton essence
Biotherm life plankton essence has become one of the brand’s best selling of all time. The brand has expanded the collection including emulsion, balm, and leave-on mask. Plankton is a micro-organism that found in the French Pyrenees with extraordinary regenerative properties. Biotherm biologists spent years in research to create the purest form of life plankton essence. It hydrates and softens your skin without leaving a greasy residue. Furthermore, this lightweight essence is suitable for all skin types and helps to improve skin textures.
SK-II treatment essence
Luxury Japanese skincare brand – SK-II treatment essence contains over 50 micronutrients that promise to give you crystal clear face. It helps maintain your skin’s pH balance and renewal cycle. It also rejuvenates your skin with vitamins, amino acids, and minerals. SK-II latest campaign – #bareskinchallenge is all about showing the world your bare skin proudly. Celebrities like Chloe Moretz and Tang Wei revealed their makeup-free face for the first time in the campaign. With SK-II treatment essence, bare skin is no longer a dream anymore.
Jurlique Activating Essence Water
Australian brand Jurlique Activating Essence Water has 4.9/5 rating on their website. This essence water contains marshmallow root extract, calendula flower extract and peach leaf extract in one bottle. Gently press and smooth over your face and your neck. You will feel your skin is instantly hydrated and revitalized. It also helps to retain skin’s moisture throughout the day. What’s more, it featuring a light herbal botanical scent that helps you to relax.
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum EX
Want that Korean glass skin? Look no further. Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum EX nourishes your skin and make it glow. It is a first step serum formulated with JAUM Balancing Complex. All the main ingredients are made with 18 hours process. It makes sense that why this serum costs a pretty penny. Regardless, this activating serum works like a charm especially for those suffering from dry, flaky even sensitive skin. It penetrates deeply into the skin, keeps them hydrated and balanced.
Whoo First Care Moisture Anti-aging Essence
The History of Whoo is a well-known premium Korean cosmetic brand. Their cosmetic formula is used exclusively for the emperor and empress in Korea. First off, the packaging is so eye-catching, it’s irresistible to not have them on your vanity table. Besides, it helps your skin with blood circulation and improving skin metabolism. It has a really light texture that immediately absorbs into your skin. Additionally, it de-puffs your face in the morning and improves skin radiance. We also love the fact that it comes in a big bottle compares with other essences.
Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate
Founded in 1982, Shiseido is the oldest cosmetics company in the world. In spite of that, their skincare line has continued to grow and refine throughout the history. This activating serum is powered with reishi mushroom and iris extract. These two ingredients are very effective in strengthening barrier and defend against daily aggressors for the skin. According to Shiseido’s test results, an overwhelmingly 98% of users agree that the product was effective overall in just 4 weeks. You can use this serum alone or pair with other serums. This serum is perfect as a pre-treatment to make your skincare regimen more powerful.
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