The 10 Best Korean Essences for a Healthier Skin Barrier

Missha is constantly tweaking and improving upon its beloved and wallet-friendly essence. Thr latest version features niacinamide and adenosine, which can reduce signs of aging like wrinkles and dark spots. If you’re a complete essence newbie, you can’t go wrong with trying this one first.

Key ingredients: Desert cica yeast ferment, niacinamide, adenosine

Size: 5.07 fl. oz.

Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “This was my very first essence. As an acne-prone teen, I pretty much burned my skin with harsh actives and acids. Plenty of redness, irritation, and below-the-surface dehydration followed. But I found that a few layers of this formula moisturized and soothed my skin without feeling too greasy like a heavy-duty moisturizer might.”—Carol Lee, ELLE.com associate beauty e-commerce writer

Park calls the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence the “granddaddy” of Korean essences, thanks to its enduring popularity over the years. “Formulated with 96.3 percent snail secretion filtrate, this essence restores and revitalizes the skin, combating dryness and signs of aging,” she says.

Key ingredients: Snail mucin, hyaluronic acid, betaine, allantoin, panthenol

Size: 3.38 fl. oz.

Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “I have very dry skin. So when I’m in need of extra moisture, it only makes sense to put snail mucin on my face. This essence was the first product I used from this line, and once I saw how glowy it made my skin, I went out and bought the rest of the range the same day. It always leaves my skin feeling super hydrated and smooth with a dewy finish. So if you’re wondering how to get the glass skin look, I’d highly recommend this essence.”—Tasha Smith, ELLE beauty assistant

This formula is essentially an essence-serum hybrid. “It has the benefits of the deeply nourishing fermented ingredients, but it also contains five percent niacinamide, which brightens the skin and improves the skin barrier,” explains Cho.

Key ingredients: Niacinamide, ellagic acid, black chokeberry

Size: 5.07 fl. oz.

Sephora rating: 4.8/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer says: “This essence is perfect for my dry skin. It literally drinks it all up. It leaves my skin feeling plump, hydrated, and comfortable. It also helps reduce the redness that I tend to get on my cheeks. Also, the packaging is stunning!”

This essence features 100 percent centella asiatica, one of my favorite ingredients for calming irritation and redness. The plant derives “from Jeju Island, on land that has never been touched by pesticides, and undergoes a proprietary 72-hour low heat, high-frequency extraction method. This essence helps soothe and repair irritated skin and increases skin moisture, promoting collagen synthesis,” raves Park.

Key ingredient: Centella asiatica

Size: 3.38 fl. oz.

Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “The Mixsoon Essence has become one of my favorite skincare products. I love how gentle it is—it works perfectly for my sensitive skin without causing any irritation. I’ve noticed a visible improvement in my skin’s texture and overall glow since I started using it. If you have sensitive skin and need a soothing, effective essence, I highly recommend giving this one a try!”

Cho describes this essence as an “absolute hydration powerhouse.” The formula is packed with hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump. Plus, it is suitable for all skin types, “especially those dealing with dryness or dehydration, as it helps the skin retain moisture throughout the day,” she adds.

Key ingredients: Glycerin, hydrolyzed collagen, sodium hyaluronate

Size: 5.07 fl. oz.

Soko Glam rating: 4.7/5 stars

A Soko Glam reviewer says: “Makes my mature skin look more youthful and a wee bit plumper. I love this right before serums or on top of other essences. It’s not sticky, and I feel like it absorbs so nicely. Packaging is cute as well.”

We may be obsessed with “glazed donut skin,” but there’s another food-related skin trend that has been all the rage in South Korea: “Honey skin.” The term describes a complexion that is as glowy and smooth as honey. If that sounds good to you, Cho says that this “is the perfect essence if you are looking to achieve honey skin—it will hydrate and brighten to give you that glow, and it is at such an affordable price point,” she explains.

Key ingredients: Micro-bio ferment complex 61% (bifida ferment lysate, saccharomyces ferment filtrate, betula alba juice, rice ferment filtrate (sake), panthenol

Size: 5.07 fl. oz.

Soko Glam rating: 4.5/5 stars

A Soko Glam reviewer says: “I have oily skin and love this toner. I used to also use the essence and loved that as well. It feels extremely light and hydrating, no harsh scent or sticky after feeling. Love it!”

If your dry skin feels tight and parched, as if you hadn’t applied a generous layer of moisturizer that morning, this mist is a welcome solution. In times like those, you can instantly restore order by spritzing on some of this essence, which hydrates skin, balances its pH, and brightens using licorice extract.

Key ingredients: Licorice root extract, bamboo water, algae extract, royal jelly extract , cenetella asiatica leaf water

Size: 3.38 fl. oz.

Soko Glam rating: 4.5/5 stars

A Soko Glam reviewer says: “This is a great multi-purpose product. It’s refreshing in the summer and provides an extra boost of hydration in the winter.”

Pyunkang Yul has sold millions of its Essence Toner worldwide, thanks to its simple yet highly effective formula. The essence, which only contains seven ingredients, is designed to provide hydration for up to 24 hours, reduce excess sebum, and help remove dead skin cells for more radiant skin.

Key ingredient: Astragalus membranaceus root extract

Size: 6.8 fl. oz.

Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I love the viscous texture of this toner! Usually I use this after I wax my face by soaking it onto toner pads and leaving it on like a mask. I notice a significant difference in my skin’s redness and overall recovery time when I do and don’t use this toner afterwards. I also find it really hydrating, and it’s part of my recovery routine when my skin has visible dryness.”

Aestura’s essence focuses on supporting and strengthening the skin’s natural moisture barrier with ingredients like ceramides and amino acids. Because it’s quick-absorbing and lightweight, even those with oily skin can reap its benefits without dealing with any sticky residue. After all, oily skin can be a symptom of dehydration—if the skin isn’t moisturized enough, sometimes, it’ll overcompensate with excess sebum production.

Key ingredients: Ceramides, amino acids, minerals, lactic acid, PCA, urea

Size: 6.76 fl. oz.

Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “Found this via Reddit and bought it on a whim. I have skin in the dryer side. I use this every morning, and my skin no longer gets dry. A little goes a long way (two shakes for the whole face), so this bottle will last quite a while. I highly recommend this product.”

This product hydrates like an essence and balances the skin like a toner. The addition of BHA also allows it to gently exfoliate the skin, while niacinamide brightens the skin and reduces the appearance of pores.

Key ingredients: Ginseng water, niacinamide, BHA

Size: 5 fl. oz.

Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “Honestly surprised by this product because it makes my skin glow so much. I ordered this not knowing what it would exactly do to my skin, but it actually hydrates my skin a lot. I used to only put moisturizer thinking it was enough for my dry skin, but I would wake up with dry skin. This toner regulates the moisture and keeps my skin hydrated 24/7. The texture is very light, so it does not feel heavy when you have a long skincare routine.”