Yeppo Glow Guide, part 3: toners and essence

Toner vs essence: differences and similarities

Toner and essence are often confused, which is not surprising – their formulations and ingredients vary greatly and sometimes it’s hard to tell them apart. Therefore, there is no single sentence that can fully explain both their uses because there are many. We will briefly go over what these products’ roles are in skincare:

Toner

The role of toners has changed over the decades. Originally, toners were launched to balance the skin’s pH after face washing because the cleansing ingredients were very strong and affected the skin barrier. The toner’s task was therefore to balance the skin’s pH and prepare the skin for subsequent products. But this is no longer necessary because cleansing products are milder and there is no need to balance the pH (healthy skin can also balance its own pH without help).

Toner has thus taken on a new role, which has also changed their formulations: they provide the skin with moisture, radiance, firmness, and can also function as exfoliating products. Depending on the product, toner has different functions, so you can choose a toner that suits your skin type and needs.

In short, what is toner not?

👉🏼 Toner does not restore the skin’s pH balance because the skin does that itself, and toner is not a cleansing product but a nurturing product for the skin.

Why choose a toner? For many, toner is the best way to hydrate the skin because it has a light texture and is easy to layer. For some skin types, toner is absorbed better than moisturizer, and especially if the skin doesn’t need more oils or other emollients, a toner can be a pleasant way to hydrate the skin.

What are Korean toners made of? The first ingredient is, of course, pure water or possibly some fruit water. To this, moisturizing ingredients, plant extracts, and the desired active ingredient are added. The result is a concentrated and lightweight product that is a versatile part of the skincare routine.

Essence

Essence is almost like a super-sized serum – it is often thicker and more nourishing than toner and often contains a higher concentration of various active ingredients. So, like toner on a higher level! 💥 Essences are an important part of Korean skincare and add extra power to the skincare routine. There are almost as many varieties as there are different serums. The consistencies also vary from light, water-like to gel-like and thick serum-like. Essences can also contain more oils, so the result can almost be like a light face cream. Compared to serums, they often don’t have as high concentrations of active ingredients like retinol or vitamin C.

What do essences contain? Essences always contain active ingredients that nourish and often strengthen the skin, such as peptides, ceramides, fermented ingredients, Korean hanbang ingredients, antioxidants, and many other skin-friendly substances.

Korean essences are based on gentle care and should be used morning and evening for best results.

Necessary part of the skincare routine?

There are many opinions on whether toner or essence is a necessary part of a skincare routine. The truth is it completely depends on your skin’s needs and your preferences. However, we believe that toner and essence can take your skin’s wellbeing to a new level! Many experience better moisture balance in their skin thanks to a toner or essence.

If you want your skin to become more radiant, softer, hydrated, clearer, firmer... maybe it's worth trying a toner and essence in your routine 😇

How to use toner or essence?

Toners and essences are always the first step in the routine after cleansing, usually toner first, then essence.

How do you dispense the product? It depends on the product's form and purpose, but in short:

If it is a peeling product, apply it either with a cotton pad on the face or carefully dispense onto your palms and pat into the face
For all other products, always apply with your hands to avoid wasting valuable product on cotton pads!

Toner pads and toner spray (face mist) are also worth reading about separately:

Peeling toner pads are used to gently wipe the face and are usually not left on the skin
Moisturizing toner pads can be left on the skin for a while like a mask
Toner pads with active ingredients can be left on the areas of the skin where they are needed most
Spray facial water can be used both at the start of your routine and added throughout the day for extra hydration

Is more better?

Can you use both toner and essence in the same routine? Absolutely! Here are our tips on the best combinations depending on skin type and concerns. Remember, these are just suggestions and there are plenty of options. With these, however, you’ll easily move forward:

Dry skin

Moisturizing toner [About Me] Rice Makgeolli Skin Softener + nourishing and radiance-boosting essence [K-SECRET] SEOUL 1988 Essence: Snail Mucin 97% + Rice Om din hud är mycket sträv, välj en ännu rikare [VT Cosmetics] PDRN Essence 100

Aging skin

Moisturizing toner [Genabelle] PDRN Rejuvenating Toner + firming essence [Numbuzin] No.9 NAD+ Bio Lifting-sil Essence

Sensitive skin

Balancing toner [HEVEBLUE] Salmon Caring Centella Toner + skin-strengthening essence [VT Cosmetics] Glucamune Essence

Skin needing radiance

Antioxidant toner [Numbuzin] No.5+ Vitamin Boosting Essential Toner+ radiance-boosting essence [VT Cosmetics] TX-Toning Essence 2000 Shot

Oily skin

Exfoliating and sebum-regulating toner [Axis-Y] Daily Purifying Treatment Toner + balancing essence [Axis-Y] Biome Radiating Intensified Essence

Combination skin

Balancing toner, suitable for [SKIN1004] Madagascar Centella Toning Toner + essence that responds to your skin’s specific needs, since the needs of combination skin vary greatly from person to person. Toner can also be exfoliating if your combination skin is more prone to impurities, and you can combine it with a more moisturizing essence.

Skin prone to impurities

Soothing and balancing toner pads [EQQUALBERRY] Swimming Pool Toner Pads + skin-renewing essence [VT Cosmetics] Pro Cica Reedle Shot 100

Psst! 🤫 Reedle Shot is a special essence applied right after cleansing and contains tiny particles that create an effect on the skin similar to microneedling – but in a gentler version!

In the end...

The differences between toners and essences vary so much that it’s not worth fixating on the bottle’s name, but rather see if the product and its ingredients suit you. Toners and essences ultimately have more in common than differences 💜