Key ingredients: rice extract, rice amino acids, kaolin clay | Who it’s for: everyone, especially those with combination or oily skin | Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Mature Skin: Haruharu Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence
Why it’s worth it: Strap in, because Haruharu Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence has a lot of good going for it. Fortified with black rice extract, fermented black rice, galactomyces ferment filtrate, bifida ferment filtrate, and panthenol, this satisfying milky concoction replenishes (and maintains!) your skin’s moisture levels, improves texture and tone, and doesn’t aggravate any existing breakouts. It’s an antioxidant-powered dream that, with just one layer, leaves your skin feeling soft to the touch.
Tester feedback: “My skin is obsessed with this milky makgeolli goodness. I’m prone to hormonal breakouts, but this essence’s nourishing-yet-gently-exfoliating combo of ceramides, fermented black rice, and acne-friendly oils helps keep my skin crystal clear and under control whenever my period comes around,” says Abelman. “Honestly, I get excited to put this on because I know it truly works. Sometimes, I just wash my face, put this on, and then slather on moisturizer because it’s so supercharged with benefits that I don’t always need a serum, too.”
Key ingredients: sunflower seed oil, meadowfoam seed oil, rice extract, galactomyces ferment filtrate, bifida ferment filtrate, 5 ceramide complex | Who it’s for: everyone, especially dry or mature skin | Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of essences and who can benefit from using one?
While some toners and essences can be interchangeable (hi, marketing teams!), for the most part, essences are focused on boosting hydration. (There are also toner-essence hybrids that both hydrate and exfoliate!) Essences, in particular, “serve as a key step in many Korean skin-care routines,” says Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm based in New York City. “They are designed to deeply hydrate, improve skin texture, and enhance the absorption of subsequent skin-care products.” She notes that popular ingredients include niacinamide, fermented extracts, and licorice root, which help promote radiance and even the complexion. Since essences are, by nature, soothing formulas, anyone can benefit from using an essence, Dr. Chang confirms. However, those with dry skin—whether year-round or mostly in the winter months—should especially consider adding an essence to their lineups.
What is special about Korean essences?
Korean skin care is famed for its gentle approach, and Korean essences are no different in that regard. “They stand out because they are effective yet gentle and can work for any skin type,” Dr. Chang confirms, adding that there are options to target any and all skin concerns. Of course, essences are designed to promote hydration, but Korean formulas also offer brightening and firming benefits, Dr. Chang explains. We’ll also note that most essences above cost less than $40, which proves how cost-effective Korean formulations are.
Meet the experts
- Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm based in New York City
- Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Yale University
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
