Topic 2 of 6
Serums and essences
An essence is a watery step used after toner. A serum is a more concentrated step, usually in a dropper or pump bottle of 30 to 50 ml, used before cream.
- Typical serum size
- 30 ml (1 fl oz) or 50 ml (1.7 fl oz)
- Typical essence size
- 75 to 230 ml
Essences came to Western shelves from Japanese and Korean routines. They are thin, often pressed into the skin with the palms or a cotton pad, and sold in larger bottles because more is used each time. SK-II Facial Treatment Essence and the Estee Lauder Micro Essence are the familiar examples.
Serums are smaller and denser. Brands describe them by their key ingredients, such as peptides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid or vitamin C, and by texture: gel, milk, oil or a two-phase liquid you shake. Because bottle sizes vary so much, comparing them by price per ml is the only fair way to see what each costs.
This site describes what the brand states about ingredients and texture. It does not promise what any serum will do for your skin.
Common mistakes
- Comparing a 30 ml serum and a 50 ml serum by the sticker price instead of the price per ml.
- Assuming an essence and a toner are the same step in a brand that sells both.
- Leaving a vitamin C serum in a warm, bright bathroom after opening.
Pages on this topic
- What is a skincare essenceA skincare essence is a watery step between toner and serum, rooted in Japanese routines. Here is how it feels, where it goes and how brands name it.Explainer
- SK-II Facial Treatment Essence vs Tatcha The EssenceSK-II Facial Treatment Essence vs Tatcha The Essence: fermented key ingredients as each brand lists them, bottle sizes, price per ml and how to apply.Comparison
- SK-II LXP Ultimate Perfecting Essence vs Facial Treatment EssenceSK-II LXP Ultimate Perfecting Essence vs Facial Treatment Essence: what the LXP tier changes by SK-II's description, bottle size and price per ml.Comparison
- SK-II Facial Treatment Essence vs Lancome Absolue Rose 80SK-II Facial Treatment Essence vs Lancôme Absolue Rose 80: two watery first steps compared by listed ingredients, bottle size, price per ml and use.Comparison
- Serum vs essence: what is the differenceSerum vs essence explained: texture, routine order, how much to use and price per ml, with luxury examples from SK-II and Augustinus Bader.Comparison
- How to use SK-II Facial Treatment EssenceSK-II's pat method for Facial Treatment Essence, how much to use per application, where it goes in the routine and how long a 230 ml bottle lasts.How-to
- How to use Lancome Absolue Rose 80 essence in lotionHow to apply Lancome Absolue Rose 80 essence in lotion: cotton pad or palms, how much to pour, and where it goes before Absolue serum and cream.How-to
- Essence vs toner vs softenerEssence vs toner vs softener explained: what each watery step is, Asian and Western naming, routine order, how to apply, with luxury examples and prices.Comparison
- How to use a skincare essence: hands, pads or pressHow to apply a skincare essence with your hands or a cotton pad, how much to pour, where it goes in your routine, and what SK-II and La Prairie direct.How-to
Buying guides for this topic
- Best luxury skincare lines for mature skin, by step and priceSeven luxury picks for mature skin from La Prairie Platinum Rare, Shiseido Enmei, Re-Nutriv, Lancôme and more, compared by step, size, texture and use.Guide
- Best luxury skincare essences and lotions, by bottle sizeSK-II Facial Treatment Essence against La Prairie, Re-Nutriv and other SK-II essences, compared by bottle size in ml, texture and how to apply.Guide
- Best luxury face serums: textures, sizes and cost per mlLuxury face serums from $150 compared by bottle size in ml, texture (gel, fluid, oil), the ingredients each brand lists, and when to apply.Guide