In the world of skincare, more and more connections between Eastern traditions and modern cosmetology are emerging. One such example is facial essence – a light yet concentrated formula that effectively moisturizes , nourishes, and enhances the performance of other cosmetics . In this post, we explain what facial essence is, how to use it, and why it's worth choosing natural products from Orientana.
What is facial essence?
Facial essence is a lightweight cosmetic with a liquid, gel, or slightly watery consistency, representing one of the key steps in conscious and effective skincare. Its main function is to deliver concentrated active ingredients that intensely moisturize, regenerate, and strengthen the skin. Thanks to its light formula, the essence absorbs very quickly , leaving no greasy or sticky film.
Essences are often compared to toners or serums, but each of these products serves a different purpose in a skincare routine. While toners primarily restore the skin's proper pH and refresh it after cleansing, and serums target specific skin concerns (such as discoloration or wrinkles), essences focus primarily on intense hydration and strengthening the skin's natural protective barrier . This increases the skin's ability to absorb subsequent cosmetic products, such as serums, oils, or creams.
The concept of facial essences stems from the Korean skincare philosophy known as layering skincare , which involves layering cosmetics of varying consistency and action. Each layer complements and enhances the effects of the next, ensuring optimal skincare results. In Korean culture, essences are considered the "heart" of a daily skincare routine—a key step that determines the effectiveness of the entire ritual.
Ayurveda, the ancient Indian science of health and beauty, also offers an analogy to facial essences. These are revitalizing herbal elixirs designed to restore skin's harmony and prepare it for subsequent care. According to Ayurveda, the skin is a mirror of our inner health, and a carefully selected essence can restore its natural energy balance, ensuring a younger and more radiant appearance.
Incorporating essences into your daily skincare ritual is a step towards conscious and comprehensive skincare, in line with both Korean and Ayurvedic beauty principles.
How does the essence work and what effects does it give?
Used regularly, this facial essence provides numerous benefits to the skin, stemming from the intensive, multifaceted action of its active ingredients. Thanks to its light consistency, the active ingredients easily penetrate deeper layers of the skin, ensuring effectiveness on multiple levels of care.
Deep and lasting skin hydration
The essence's primary purpose is to deeply hydrate the skin. Its formula is rich in humectants , highly moisturizing substances that have the ability to attract and retain water molecules in the epidermis. The most popular and effective include:
- Hyaluronic acid binds water molecules, retaining moisture even in the deepest layers of the epidermis. This hydrates the skin from within, and the moisturizing effect lasts longer.
- Glycerin – effectively retains water on the skin surface, protecting it from drying out.
- Trehalose – a natural sugar with protective properties that not only intensely moisturizes but also helps the skin regain its water balance.
The effect of regular use of the essence is visibly hydrated, supple and elastic skin.
Improving the absorption of active ingredients
Moisturized skin better absorbs the ingredients contained in cosmetics applied in subsequent skincare steps. Regular use of essences increases the effectiveness of serums, creams, and oils. Essences prepare the skin for optimal absorption of active ingredients, maximizing their skincare potential.
Strengthening the skin's hydrolipid barrier
The essence is rich in ingredients that regenerate the skin's natural protective barrier – the hydrolipid barrier. This provides better protection against external factors (pollution, smog, air conditioning, and UV radiation) and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Among the most commonly used ingredients to strengthen the skin barrier are:
- Plant ferments – e.g. yeast ferments or rice ferments, which regenerate and balance the skin's microbiome, strengthening its natural protective mechanisms.
- Amino acids – ingredients naturally occurring in the skin that strengthen the structure of the epidermis and improve its resistance to dryness and irritation.
- Phytoextracts – e.g. plant extracts rich in antioxidants that support the regeneration of the protective barrier and soothe inflammation.
The effect of using the essence is stronger, healthier and more resistant skin, less susceptible to dryness and irritation.
"Glow", smoothing and rejuvenating effect
Regularly used, this essence improves the appearance and condition of the skin, giving it a distinctive " glow " effect—a subtle, natural glow. Thanks to its high concentration of nutrients, the skin becomes noticeably firmer , softer , smoother, and more radiant . The essence also helps reduce fine lines, improving overall skin texture and making it look younger and healthier.
To sum up, regular use of facial essence gives the following effects:
- Intensively moisturized and nourished skin,
- Improved absorption of active ingredients from subsequent cosmetics,
- Strengthened and rebuilt hydrolipid barrier ,
- Visibly smoother , firmer and more radiant skin.
Thanks to these properties, the essence is a perfect complement to conscious and comprehensive care for all skin types.
Orientana Facial Essence – Snail Slime + Trehalose
Orientana Snail Slime Facial Essence is an innovative cosmetic with a natural, light, gel consistency that combines traditional Asian skincare recipes with the latest cosmetology discoveries. Created with the needs of all skin types in mind, it offers particular benefits to dry , tired , mature skin, and skin showing the first signs of aging . The product contains 98.6% natural ingredients, making it an ideal solution for those seeking effective yet safe skincare.
Key active ingredients of Orientana essence:
Snail Secretion Filtrate – a unique, strongly regenerating ingredient, rich in valuable substances, such as:
- Collagen – provides the skin with firmness, elasticity and smoothes fine wrinkles.
- Elastin – improves skin firmness, restoring its younger appearance.
- Allantoin – has a soothing and calming effect and accelerates the regeneration processes of the epidermis, reducing redness and irritation.
- Vitamins and enzymes – help brighten discolorations, even out skin tone and restore its healthy glow.
Trehalose – a natural sugar with intensely moisturizing properties that creates an invisible protective layer on the skin. This effectively protects skin cells from moisture loss, ensuring optimal hydration for hours. Trehalose also soothes feelings of tightness and dryness.
Konjac extract – a natural ingredient that gives the essence its characteristic, light, gel-like consistency. Its structure facilitates deeper penetration of active ingredients into the skin, enhancing their nourishing effects.
Allantoin – a soothing, plant-derived ingredient with anti-inflammatory, calming, and regenerative properties. Allantoin accelerates the healing of minor skin damage, soothes redness, and minimizes irritation, leaving skin more comfortable and resilient.
Action and effects of Orientana essence:
Thanks to the synergistic action of carefully selected ingredients, Orientana essence brings comprehensive improvement to the skin's condition, acting on several levels simultaneously:
- Intensive hydration and firming – restores the skin’s optimal hydration level, eliminating the feeling of tightness, roughness and fine wrinkles resulting from dryness.
- Reduction of discoloration and wrinkles – brightens pigmentation discolorations and reduces the visibility of fine lines, giving the skin a more uniform, younger appearance.
- Regeneration and improvement of elasticity – snail slime stimulates the natural skin renewal processes, strengthening its structure, improving firmness and elasticity, and counteracting the signs of skin aging.
- Brightening and smoothing the complexion – the complexion becomes radiant, smoother, and its tone evens out, regaining a healthy, youthful glow.
How to use Orientana essence?
To maximize the care potential of the Snail Slime + Trehalose essence:
Cleansing and toning – always apply the essence to cleansed and toned skin of the face, neck and décolleté.
Daily care :
- Evening – you can use the essence as an intensive regenerating mask without rinsing, applying a larger amount at night.
- In the morning – use as a base for other cosmetics such as serum, cream or makeup.
Applying the product – spread a few drops of the essence gently with your fingertips over the entire face and neck, gently patting the cosmetic in until completely absorbed.
How to apply facial essence step by step? Application order
Cleansing : Use a cleansing gel or oil .
Toning : Restore your skin's proper pH. Use the Soothing toner .
Facial essence : Put a few drops on your hands and pat into the skin of your face and neck.
Serum and cream : Continue your skincare routine according to your skin's needs. You can apply serum followed by cream, or just cream .
Pro Tip: The essence can also be used in the "7 skin method", i.e. applying several layers for maximum hydration.
Incorporating Orientana Essence into your skincare routine is a guarantee of beautiful, moisturized and healthy-looking skin, thanks to the power of natural ingredients and an effective formula based on the centuries-old traditions of Asian cosmetology.
Want to experience the true power of natural hydration? Discover Orientana facial essences and choose the perfect product for your skin!
Facial essence is an exceptionally effective, yet gentle, skincare product that can revolutionize your daily rituals. By choosing natural products like those from Orientana, you're investing not only in beautiful skin but also in harmonious and conscious skincare.
