Think your skincare regime is complicated? Frankly, you ain’t seen nothing yet. Because the fount of all beauty knowledge — aka, the Asian cosmetics market — has decreed that it’s high time we all made room in our potion cabinets for an essence lotion. Promising to be the most hyped export from the East since the last hyped export from the East (see CC creams), essence lotions are designed to be applied in between your cleanser and your serum to deliver a concentration of active ingredients in order to give an extra micro-light layer of moisture to your skin.
Sound like a right faff? Perhaps. But this approach to skincare is far more effective at hydrating skin than slapping on one single unctuous cream. In fact, most Asian women stick to a rigorous 12-step skincare regime that adheres to a strict order of application for maximum absorption. And essences (aka, step 4: after double cleansing and toning) are considered a vital step in giving your serum and moisturiser a kick-start.
Unsurprisingly, the best place to start your search for the essence of beauty is Asian skincare brands. Japan’s SK-II, which champions a revolutionary ingredient, Pitera — an anti-ageing wonder discovered during the fermentation process of sake and present in high concentration in all nine of SK-II’s essences — has been a market leader for more than 30 years. Fellow Japanese brands Shu Uemura, SUQQU and Sensai are also worth seeking out, with a total of 21 essences available between them for every possible skincare concern, from lifting and re-contouring to brightening and hydrating, while Shiseido’s Ibuki Softening Concentrate (£23, shiseido.co.uk) should prove popular among city dwellers for its ability to imbue even the most stressed skin with a dewy finish.
A little closer to home, Clinique has launched its first Even Better Essence Lotion (£30, clinique.co.uk) — a surefire sign that essence lotions are on the cusp of going mainstream — along with Estée Lauder, which has debuted a new Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion (£80, Estée Lauder counters). For upmarket alternatives, try Dolce & Gabbana’s Aurealux Essence (£44, harrods.com) or Chantecaille’s Vital Essence (£84, liberty.co.uk). And if you can wait until October Chanel’s Sublimage L’Essence should certainly feature on your list. After all, at £300 it must surely be the ultimate fountain of youth.
