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If there’s one thing to know about me, it’s that I love an annual trip to South Korea. In fact, it’s probably something my friends, coworkers and even the occasional stranger wishes I’d stop talking about.
However, for a beauty lover, I dare say there may not be a better place to visit. Between cutting-edge beauty treatments, unbelievably stylish flagship stores and a seemingly endless stream of pop-ups, it’s the ultimate place to fully immerse yourself in the world of beauty.
It’s also where we often see global beauty trends begin to take shape — because let’s face it, K-beauty consistently leads the way. On my most recent visit, I was lucky enough to meet with several of the brands under the Amorepacific umbrella, where I heard about their best-selling formulas and got a sneak peek at some exciting new launches.
The ELLE Edit Of The Best Facial Essences:
- Best Overall: Rhode Glazing Milk, $55
- Best Affordable: Innisfree Green Tea Ceramide Milk Barrier Essence, $35
- Best Luxury: Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum VI, $146
One product category particularly stood out to me: essences. A true pillar of K-beauty routines that has quietly, but firmly, gone global. Case in point: Sulwhasoo’s cult-favourite First Care Activating Serum, which is designed to be exactly what its name suggests — the very first step in your routine.
More recently, products like Rhode’s Glazing Milk have helped push the category even further into the global spotlight. But what exactly is an essence? And do you actually need one in your routine? Let’s break it down.
“Facial essences sit between a toner and a serum,” says Elisa Osmo, advanced dermal therapist and founder of Glow Medispa.
“Unlike toners, which primarily rebalance pH and refresh the skin, essences are concentrated with active ingredients designed to hydrate, prep, and prime the skin to better absorb next steps in your routine.”
They’re intentionally formulated differently to a toner or serum, though, Osmo tells us. “They’re lighter than serums, making them perfect for layering without feeling heavy, while still delivering targeted benefits.” That said, essences are often used interchangeably with the new wave of lightweight, milky toners that have surged in popularity lately.
If your interest is piqued — or you’re simply curious about which formula to try first — consider this your ultimate guide to the best facial essences available right now.
Sulwhasoo’s First Care Activating Serum is an essence I find myself coming back to time and time again — and considering a bottle sells every 10 seconds, it seems I’m far from the only one. This lightweight formula is designed to prep and nourish the skin, helping the rest of your skincare absorb more effectively. With a gentle, calming ginseng scent, it feels just as luxurious as it is hardworking.
Infused with Lympanax
— a naturally aged ginseng that undergoes a 500-hour process — the formula works to strengthen and repair the skin barrier, often the root cause of many common skin concerns. And with a brand that has been harnessing the power of ginseng since 1932, it’s easy to see why this essence has become such an iconic K-beauty staple.
Designed as the first step after cleansing, Rhode’s Glazing Milk is a milky facial essence created to hydrate, soothe and prep the skin for the rest of your routine. The lightweight, fluid texture absorbs quickly, delivering a boost of moisture while helping create the kind of dewy, “glazed” finish the brand has become known for. It’s formulated to support the skin barrier and leave skin feeling soft, balanced and ready for serums or moisturisers that follow.
At the heart of the formula is a ceramide trio to reinforce the skin’s natural barrier, alongside glycerin for hydration, vitamin E for antioxidant support and a mineral complex of magnesium, zinc and copper designed to help defend against environmental stressors. The result is a gentle, nourishing layer that fits seamlessly into most routines and works across a range of skin types.
I’ll admit I was lucky enough to try the Innisfree Green Tea Ceramide Milk Barrier Essence before it officially launched in Australia, and I have reached for it consistently. With a soft, milky texture, the formula delivers an immediate boost of hydration while helping support the skin barrier.
It’s powered by Innisfree’s Super Green Tea and green tea–derived ceramides, alongside multiple forms of hyaluronic acid to help replenish moisture and leave skin feeling calm, soft and comfortably hydrated.What makes it particularly easy to work into a routine is how lightweight it feels despite the nourishing ingredients. It absorbs quickly without any sticky residue, making it an easy addition to my routine when skin needs extra hydration and barrier support.
Naturium’s Multi-Bright Milky Toner sits somewhere between a treatment toner and an essence, pairing a creamy, milky texture with ingredients designed to target dullness and uneven tone. Hydrating humectants help replenish moisture while brightening actives work to refine and smooth the look of skin.
When used consistently, it adds a lightweight layer of hydration while helping the skin appear more balanced and luminous — making it an easy step to slot in after cleansing before moving onto the rest of a routine.
Designed as a multi-functional treatment step, The Essence combines the benefits of a toner, essence and gentle exfoliant. The formula features the brand’s TFC8® technology, alongside exfoliating acids that work to refine texture, help clarify pores and support overall skin renewal.
The lightweight liquid absorbs quickly and helps prepare the skin for the rest of a routine, allowing serums and moisturisers to penetrate more effectively while promoting a smoother, more radiant complexion.
For those who prefer something a little more flexible than a traditional essence, Aestura’s Atobarrier365 Cream Mist delivers hydration in a fine, creamy spray. The formula contains barrier-supporting ingredients, including 10,000 PPM (parts per million) of ceramides, designed to help replenish and protect dry or compromised skin.
It’s a product I found myself reaching for frequently, particularly because of how easy it is to use. The mist can be applied after cleansing as a hydrating step, or spritzed throughout the day — even over layered skincare — for an extra boost of moisture when skin feels dry or tight.
This milky toner from Bubble quickly became one I reached for daily. The lightweight formula focuses on delivering hydration while helping support the skin barrier, leaving skin feeling softer and more comfortable after cleansing.
Despite its creamy texture, it absorbs quickly and layers easily with the rest of a routine. The result is a fresh, hydrated base that makes it simple to follow with serums, moisturisers or any additional treatment steps. However I will say, the only downside to this product is the packaging, which often spits out last minute product as you close the cap. But for an affordable, efficient facial essence, it gets my tick of approval.
Often described as a “skin softener,” Tatcha’s The Essence is designed to enhance the performance of the skincare that follows. The water-like formula features Hadasei-3, a fermented complex of rice, green tea and algae, which works to hydrate, smooth and support overall skin radiance.
The ultra-lightweight texture absorbs almost instantly, helping replenish moisture while improving the skin’s ability to absorb serums and creams layered afterwards. The result is skin that looks more luminous and feels soft, balanced and well-prepped.
Byoma’s Hydrating Milky Toner focuses on reinforcing the skin barrier while delivering lightweight hydration. The formula features the brand’s tri-ceramide complex, alongside humectants that help attract and retain moisture in the skin.
With its soft, milky consistency, the toner leaves skin feeling replenished and balanced without any heavy residue. It’s designed to slot seamlessly into a routine after cleansing, helping prepare the skin for serums and moisturisers that follow.
Essences can deliver a wide range of benefits, so it’s worth choosing a formula that aligns with your skin’s specific needs.
“Hydrating and restorative ingredients are central,” says Osmo. “Think hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or fermented extracts that boost moisture and support barrier function. Many essences also contain antioxidants, peptides, or botanical actives to promote resilience, brightness, and skin health over time.”
“All skin types can enjoy an essence, but they’re particularly beneficial for dehydrated, stressed, or ageing skin,” Osmo explains. “Because they’re lightweight and fast-absorbing, they’re great for combination or oily skin that might find multiple heavy layers overwhelming.”
While not an essential step, an essence can meaningfully enhance a skincare routine.
“Essences aren’t mandatory, but they can elevate a routine,” Osmo tells us. “They act as a bridge, improving hydration, priming the skin and enhancing the effects of serums and moisturisers. For someone focused on long-term skin health and visible results, adding an essence can make a noticeable difference. For others, it’s more of a ‘bonus’ step but one that feels luxurious and nourishing.”
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