Batman has the Joker, the Avengers have Thanos, and I have my dark spots. First things first—there’s nothing inherently wrong with dark spots; if you’re fine with yours, live your life! But I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t live in fear of dark spots cropping up on my skin.
After years of dealing with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, I’ve discovered that the products that work best for me are those that sit in the Venn Diagram between “strong and effective” and “gentle and hydrating.” So, when I learned that Glow Recipe was launching a new product—an essence—that checked off both of those boxes while also evening out your skin tone, I was instantly intrigued.
Ahead, we spoke to a skincare expert to find out exactly what a skin essence is and if it deserves a place in your routine. Plus, I share my honest thoughts on Glow Recipe’s Cloudberry Bright Essence Toner.
Courtesy of Ama Kwarteng
Courtesy of Ama Kwarteng
What is a skincare essence?
“A skincare essence is a lightweight, water-based product that’s typically used after cleansing and before applying other skincare products like serums and moisturizers,” explains celebrity esthetician and co-host of the podcast Beauty Curious, Ian Michael Crumm. It’s a skincare category that started in Korea and they’ve gained popularity since. One of Crumm’s favorite essences is the Arbonne DermResults Advanced Toning Essence with Mineral Booster.
What are the benefits?
Now that you know what an essence is, it’s time to explain what exactly it is that they do.
Hydration: When you look at the ingredient list, you’ll find that essences are often full of water-binding ingredients—like hyaluronic acid or glycerin—to hydrate skin, explains Crumm.
Nutrition: FYI: your skin needs nutrients, too. According to Crumm, some essences include ingredients like vitamins, antioxidants, and botanical extracts to nurture and revive the skin.
Preps the skin: Because of the humectants in the formula, essences help prep the skin for the rest of your skincare routine by improving their absorption, says Crumm.
Brightening and Anti-aging: Some essences are formulated with ingredients that put in the work to even out the complexion, promote collagen production, and reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, adds Crumm.
What’s the difference between an essence and a serum?
Serums usually feature a higher concentration of active ingredients that target specific skincare concerns, explains Crumm. And essences typically have a more lightweight, water-y consistency and are focused on hydrating and prepping the skin.
How do you apply an essence?
Don’t stress—it’s not that complicated. After you cleanse your skin, use your hands or a cotton pad to gently pat or press the essence into your skin, says Crumm. Wait a minute or two for the essence to absorb before layering on your other skincare products.
So, what makes Glow Recipe’s latest launch stand out amongst all the other essences on the skincare market? It’s formulated with cloudberry concentrate.
Cloudberries are native to the Arctic, and the superfoods thrive in extremely intense weather conditions—think tundras where temperatures hit -40 degrees F. Cloudberry extract oil comes from the seeds inside the berries, and they’re filled with ingredients that are great for your skin. They contain vitamin C,an antioxidant that boosts collagen production, which evens out skin tone while minimizing the look of wrinkles. Cloudberries also contain vitamin E–another antioxidant that helps your skin hold on to moisture–and fatty acids, ingredients that strengthen the skin’s barrier and ensures your skin stays plump and hydrated.
Aside from cloudberry, you can find three other key ingredients in Glow Recipe Cloudberry Bright Essence Toner’s formula.
Coenzyme Q10: Increases cell turnover, improves skin elasticity, and reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles
Glycerin: Supports the skin barrier and prevents water loss in the skin, keeping it plump and hydrated.
Rice Water: Soothes inflammation and helps to improve skin’s tone and texture.
My Skin Type
Generally speaking, my skin is pretty well-behaved, but there are times when it decides to turn against me. I have combination skin—my T-zone is an oily slip-and-slide, while the rest of my face skews dry. This means my acne flare-ups usually occur on my forehead. Once I’ve managed to get the zits to disappear, there’s another battle to wage: the dark spots left behind.
My Experience
The first thing I noticed about the product was how lightweight and refreshing it felt against my skin. The gel-like formula glides across skin and absorbs quickly, without leaving behind a film of grease on my face. It also played well (read: didn’t pill) with my rotation of skincare products, which is amazing, especially considering that, in addition to being effective on its own, it’s also able to help amp up the benefits of the other products in my routine.
I used the essence after cleansing and before my other products twice a day, and after a few weeks of testing, not only did I notice freakishly plump skin, but it was visibly smoother, and my dark spots were beginning to ghost me (thank God). It gave my dry winter skin a much-needed boost.
Not only did I notice freakishly plump skin, but it was visibly smoother, and my dark spots were beginning to ghost me…
The Final Verdict
When you’re feeling stressed out, you can call a friend or book an appointment with your therapist to air out your concerns. Where do you turn when your skin is stressed out, leaving you more prone to breakouts, dryness, and hyperpigmentation? Glow Recipe’s latest launch is here for you. It’s got everything your skin needs to feel supported–hydrated, plumper, smoother, and more even-toned—with the help of fatty acids, antioxidants, and humectants. If you’re feeling dry and irritated, with dull skin looming on the horizon, this is definitely worth adding to your routine.