How to Use A Face Essence

Tori Douglas

Global Digital

3 min read

Expert Advice

Our top tips on how to use a face essence, the benefits, and incorporating it into your skincare routine.

Face Essence

You asked, we answered all of your burning questions about face essences. It feels like it’s almost every day that the beauty industry comes out with a new game-changing product. We get it, it’s a lot to keep up with every day. On top of this, skincare can be confusing with so many products on the market and special life-changing ingredients to try. At fresh, we love all things skincare and we’re here to let you know a face essence is not just a fad and should be the latest addition to your skincare routine.



What is a face essence and how does it work?

A face essence is a multi-tasking liquid face treatment that delivers multiple benefits to the skin. A face essence purpose is to hydrate, protect skin from external stressors, smooth complexion, and soften texture through a highly concentrated liquid formula. Upon application, a face essence is instantly absorbed into the skin. It’s acts as a layer to restore hydration to the skin's barrier and it helps the skin better absorb products that are applied after. A face essence is the first step in treating the skin and always follows the use of a face toner.


What are the skincare benefits of using a face essence?

A face essence provides antioxidant protection from free radicals, deeply hydrates skin's barrier, boosts luminosity, reduces the look of fine lines, refines the look of pores, improves elasticity, softens and smoothes texture, and evens your complexion. A face essence plays a key role in reducing the signs of aging and maintaining healthy, youthful-looking skin.


What's the difference between a face essence and a face toner?

An age old question—well at least since face essences arrived on the scene a few years ago. A face toner is the last step in cleansing part of a skincare routine. It restores balance to the skin after you’ve whisked away the impurities of the day and any makeup. A face toner helps to cleanses away residual impurities, minimize the look of pores while smoothing complexion. A face toner typically works best for people with oily or acne-prone skin while a face essence is great no matter the skin type. When comparing a face toner and face essence, a face essence is the first step in treatment process of a skincare routine. A face essence works to actively treat and target skin concerns while prepping skin for the next steps. In simple terms, you use a face toner after you wash your face, and use a face essence after your face toner and before you apply a face serum and face cream.


Can you use a face toner and a face essence together?

Of course! First, cleanse the skin with a gentle face wash. Then, swipe on an alcohol-free, non-stripping face toner with a cotton pad. Next, press in a face essence with your hands and follow with your face serum, eye cream, and face cream. Overall, the use of a face essence and face toner in tandem helps to deliver deep hydration and balance the skin tone.


How do you incorporate a face essence into your skincare routine?

Adding a new product to your skincare regimen can be daunting but we are here to ease the worry. When you apply your beauty products from lightest (face wash) to heaviest (face cream), it allows for the skin to individually absorb each product. When a face essence is included into your routine, it boost the absorption rate of the products that follow it. Here's how to incorporate a skin essence into your routine and the order you should use your skincare products.


Step 1: Deeply cleanse face with a gentle cleanser

Step 2: Swipe away stubborn impurities with a cotton pad soaked with a non-stripping face toner

Step 3: Pour a small amount of face essence into the palm of your hand and sweep over cleansed face and neck with your fingertips.

Step 4: Apply a concentrated face serum to target skin concerns

Step 5: Seal in moisture with a hydrating face cream


All of your questions about face essences answered? Now, discover our best-seller, Kombucha Antioxidant Facial Treatment Essence to enhance your routine.

Author Profile
blog author tori

Tori Douglas

Global Digital

Written by Tori Douglas for Fresh. Tori is a NYC-based digital and brand strategist. Tori has worked for various publications and brands such as Kiehl's, The Body Shop, Deux Hommes Magazine, and Elite Daily with her expertise lying in the fashion & beauty space.