Serum vs Essence: The Differences Explained

November 03, 2022

When you hear the words "serum" and "essence," what comes to mind? For many skincare enthusiasts, serum refers to a product that is used to treat specific skin conditions, while essence is a more general term that can be used to describe any product.

However, there are some key differences between serum and essence that you should know about if you're thinking of using them in your beauty routine.

What are the differences between these two types of products, and why are they so popular? In this post, we'll explore these questions and more to help you make a sound decision about which type of skincare product is right for you.

What is a serum and how does it work?

Serums are skincare products designed to deliver high concentrations of active ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, retinol, and vitamins, directly to your skin. The idea behind a serum is that it contains more active molecules that can potentially penetrate your skin's layers for maximum effectiveness. Plus, due to their high concentration, serums deliver visible results fast.

They typically come in small bottles with a dropper in the form of clear oil, gel, or water-based liquids, and only a few drops are required to treat your entire face.

Skin serums address specific skin conditions like wrinkles, pigmentation, acne scars, and inflammation. Since they're lightweight products that are quickly absorbed into your skin, serums do not leave your skin feeling oily or greasy.

The disadvantages of serums

Though adding skin serums to your skincare routine is highly beneficial to your skin, like all other skincare products, skin serums come with several downsides too.

These are the disadvantages of skin serums:

• Skin serums are not compulsory additions to a skincare regimen though they are beneficial add-ons.
• Finding the right skin serum that contains suitable ingredients for your skin type can be difficult, as you have to choose the right one that targets your skin condition specifically.
• Skin serums can get easily oxidised if mishandled or taken care of poorly.

However, the benefits skin serums offer your skin outweigh the drawbacks. As skincare enthusiasts and individuals who desire clear skin, skin serums can be the best thing that happens to your skin. If you're looking for safe and effective skin serums in Malaysia, visit allyoung today.

What is essence and how does it work?

Essences come in a more liquidy texture than serums (but are thicker than water) and are usually clear. The primary goal of an essence is to hydrate your skin and help the active ingredients in your skincare products to be absorbed better by your skin.

Basically, essences combine multiple elements of a skincare routine into a single step: they hydrate and rebalance your skin's moisture while allowing deeper penetrations of highly concentrated levels of active ingredients into your skin.

The additional hydration essences offer your skin allows essences to act as a primer in your skincare routine. It boosts the effectiveness of the active ingredients in your other skincare products, like serums and face creams.

In other words, essence is primarily used to enhance the benefits of all other skincare products in your regime.

The disadvantages of essence

Like serums, essences are also not a necessity but only beneficial additions to your skincare regime.

However, essences are usually made of natural ingredients with very few adverse effects on the skin. This is why essence is considered one of the safest skincare products for all skin types.

Still, it's always a good idea to list down skincare ingredients to which your skin is allergic and compare your list to the ingredients before purchasing your first bottle of essence.

Which comes first, serum or essence?

Applying your skin care products in the correct order allows your skin to reap the maximum benefits of every skincare product in your routine.

Here are the proper steps to incorporate essence and serum into your regime.

1. Thoroughly cleanse your skin using a cleanser.

2. Use a cotton pad or the tips of your fingers to apply your toner.

3. Squeeze 4 to 5 squirts of essence into your hands and gently pat the product on your skin. Do not smear or drag the product across your skin. Gentle pats should suffice.

4. Wait for 2 minutes, and then apply serum to your skin. Use the stopper and release a few drops on your skin. Then use your fingers to spread the serum evenly across your face gently.

5. For the best results, apply moisturiser after applying serum. Moisturisers lock in all the goodness serums provides your skin.

Are you looking for the right serum for sensitive skin in Malaysia? Visit allyoung today!

While both essences and serums deliver high levels of active ingredients into your skin, their roles in a complete skincare routine differ.

A serum is typically thicker and denser than an essence. Unlike essence, serum's primary function is not hydration but to address specific skin issues such as discolouration, hyperpigmentation or ageing symptoms.

You can incorporate both products into your skincare regime but be sure to apply the essence before your serum.

If you're looking for suitable serums for your skin type, visit allyoung today. At allyoung, we offer an impressive range of serums - from hydrating serums for dry skin, serums for acne-prone skin, to serums for combination skin in Malaysia; you can grab the best one at the best deals!

 

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