How to use a skincare essence: hands, pads or press

Where essence goes in your routine

Essence is one of the thinnest textures in a routine, so it comes early. The usual order is cleanser, toner or softener, essence, serum, eye cream, moisturizer, then sunscreen in the morning. SK-II's listing says to apply its essence twice daily after cleansing and toning. La Prairie calls Skin Caviar Essence-in-Lotion a pre-serum treatment, which puts it in the same slot.

If you are unsure how essence differs from the products either side of it, read essence vs toner and serum vs essence. Our what is a skincare essence page explains the category.

Method 1: pat it in with your hands

This is the method SK-II describes for Facial Treatment Essence: shake 2 to 3 times into the palms, press hands together, then gently press over face and neck for 1 minute until absorbed. The pressing motion keeps product on your skin instead of on a pad, which makes a bottle go further.

1. 1

   Cleanse your face and pat it dry.

2. 2

   Apply toner or softener if it is part of your routine.

3. 3

   Pour or shake a small amount of essence into one palm: a coin-size pool, or 2 to 3 shakes from a bottle with a narrow opening.

4. 4

   Rub your palms together lightly to spread it across both hands.

5. 5

   Press your palms flat over your cheeks, forehead, nose and chin, then down the neck.

6. 6

   Hold and press for a few seconds at a time, rather than rubbing, until the essence settles.

7. 7

   Move on to serum once the skin no longer feels wet.

Method 2: use a cotton pad

Some people prefer a pad because it feels more even and refreshing. The trade-off is waste: a cotton pad soaks up and keeps part of the liquid. If your brand's directions say to use the hands, follow them; if they allow either, choose the method that suits you. A soft, lint-free pad and light pressure matter more than any special technique.

1. 1

   Hold a cotton pad over the bottle opening and tip the bottle until the pad is damp, not dripping.

2. 2

   Sweep the pad gently outward from the center of the face: forehead, cheeks, nose, chin.

3. 3

   Finish with the neck, sweeping upward.

4. 4

   Pat any remaining moisture in with clean fingertips.

How much to pour and how long a bottle lasts

A coin-size pour, or 2 to 3 shakes, is enough for the face and neck. Pouring more mostly ends up on your hands. A full-size SK-II Facial Treatment Essence holds 7.7 fl oz (228 ml) and lists at $245 in our guide, which works out to about $1.07 per ml. Use the price per ml calculator to compare it with other bottles.

If you use about 1.5 ml twice a day, that is 3 ml daily, so a 228 ml bottle lasts around 76 days. With a cotton pad you may use more. These are rough estimates; your pour will vary.

Compare luxury essences by size and price per ml →

Essences in our guides and what each brand says

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence (228 ml): a water-like essence that SK-II says contains over 90% PITERA, its fermentation-derived ingredient. Our what is Pitera page explains it. SK-II SKINPOWER Essence (50 ml): comes with a dropper, so you dispense it rather than pour it. La Prairie Skin Caviar Essence-in-Lotion: a pre-serum step in the Skin Caviar line; the listing does not state the size. La Prairie Platinum Rare Cellular Life-Lotion: an essence-in-lotion at the top of the La Prairie range, also without a stated size.

For step-by-step help with one bottle, see how to use SK-II Facial Treatment Essence and our SK-II product guide.

Mistakes that waste essence

Storage tips for large bottles are in how to store luxury skincare.

• Pouring a large pool into one hand and letting it run through your fingers.
• Rubbing hard with a pad instead of sweeping lightly.
• Applying serum while the face is still wet with essence, which can dilute or slide.
• Keeping the bottle open or in a hot, sunny spot. Close it after use and store it as the box describes.

Frequently asked questions

Can I skip toner and use only essence? Many people do. Brands that list a toner step before essence, such as SK-II, write their directions for the full routine, so follow the box if you want the brand's intended order.

Should I use essence morning and night? SK-II says twice daily. Other brands vary, so check the listing for your bottle.

Is it better to use hands or a cotton pad? Neither is required by most labels. Hands use less product; a pad gives a lighter sweep. Follow the brand's directions if it specifies one.

Do I wait before applying serum? Yes, until the skin no longer feels wet. That usually takes under a minute after pressing.