How I got started with K Beauty essences:

OK, so you all know by now (from my last blog post) that I read Kate's, from @the.skincare.diary , new book that had so much helpful info in it that it saved my skin. My skin basically threw a temper tantrum when the winter air hit and I have been recovering ever since. This book savedddddd the day! It also got me hooked on K Beauty essences..

What is an essence anyway?

To keep it simple, it is basically a thinner serum. This step is to help you pack in the moisture. Layer on treatment essences that are designed for your specific skin concern. Usually soothing or hydrating with some brightening component.

These are the ones she recommended and i picked up (from amazon)!

1. LJH TeaTree 90 Essence ($22.94 on amazon)

2. SecretKey Starting Treatment Essence ($18.58 on amazon)

3. Cosrx Galactomyces 95 Whitening Power Essence (less than $20 on amazon)

How do they work??

I'll start with the Tea Tree essence. I picked this one up because it can be used as a preventative acne treatment built right into your routine. I am all for PREVENTION of acne. Who isn't?

I want to start off by saying this gem has really NO scent to it! It is slightly thicker in consistency but it takes less than 5 minutes for my skin to absorb it. It is a little on the sticky side, but since its one of my first layers I put on, that doesn’t bother me. There are great ingredients in this (including Vit C) that gives it both antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, along with some brightening and antioxidant protection. It is incredibly soothing on my skin and I truly believe I have not broken out as badly nor as frequent as I was, since incorporating this.

Next up: The SecretKey Starting Treatment Essence. This is used in your routine as the step to help prep the skin to absorb all of the lovely hydrating layers that comes over-top of it, to the best of it’s potential. This is the main purpose of a first essence. Secret Key is almost a water consistancy and absorbs very quickly. I shake quite a few drops onto my hands and pat right into the skin. I always get an amazing glow from this one. I can immediately feel the hydration going back into my skin.

Galactomyces 95 Whitening Power Essence: with the same key ingredient as that fancy overpriced SK-II essence! This is the product that has introduced me to the K beauty brand, Cosrx. This baby is very soothing, aids in reducing skin redness, brightens, and is incredibly hydrating. You want to talk about a glow? This shines. It is a thicker consistancy than the other two that I mentioned but it isn't sticky and heavy. It absorbs fairly quickly.

How do you use them??

I was taught that yes, there are "first" essences and regular essence but the order of application AFTER any actives (your Vit C and acids) is what's important. If you aren't using actives in your routine, then simply thinnest to thickest in application. Key is to let everything dry down and absorb into the skin giving at least 5-10 minutes in between layers. They’re designed to help YOUR skin concerns, so currently I’m only worried about keeping acne ay bay and packing in hydration. But yours mine be anti-aging, brightening, etc. Do what works best for you.

I tried to keep this post pretty brief and straight to the point! If you have any questions always feel free to reach out! I will be going piece by piece this week on IG doing reviews of each individual product so keep an eye out. I Hope you enjoyed this and have a lovely day!