Toners and essences both come in bottles and look like clear liquids that could easily be mistaken for water, but each of these K-beauty staples serves a different purpose. If you follow any skin care influencer or dermatologist on Instagram or TikTok, you've probably seen opposing views on whether or not these products are necessary steps in your routine. Confused about what sets toners and essences apart? Don't know if you should be using these products? Same.

That's why we turned to dermatologists Dr. Brendon Camp and Dr. Marisa Garshick, who demystified toners and essences and shared their benefits plus how to incorporate them into your skin-care regimen.

Meet the expert

Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about toner vs. essence.

What Is a Toner?

A toner is a water-based liquid used after cleansing the skin to further remove any dirt, oil, and debris. It preps the skin for the rest of the products in your skin care routine.

According to Dr. Camp, not all toners are the same, and formulas can offer various benefits depending on your skin type and concerns. 

"They may be helpful for those with acne-prone skin by reducing oil levels on the skin," Dr. Camp said. "They may lessen the appearance of pores, aid in the absorption and penetration of skin care products, refresh the skin, brighten the appearance of skin, assist in exfoliation, and help maintain the pH balance of skin."

How to Choose a Toner

"Before adding a toner to your skin-care regimen, determine what it is you want out of your toner. For example, selecting a toner that will help gently remove excess oil may be a good option for someone with acne-prone or excessively oily skin but not appropriate for someone with dry skin," Dr. Camp explained. "An alcohol-free product is a better option for someone with dry skin as it is less likely to contribute to further dryness."

How Often to Use a Toner

Most can be used every day, either morning or night, or both if needed. It depends on the formula. 

"Pay attention to how your skin reacts to a toner; it may not be necessary to use it twice daily if in combination with other skin care products if it causes too much dryness," Dr. Camp said. Exfoliating toners can be used two to three times a week to experience their benefits with minimal risk of dryness and irritation.

What Is an Essence?

"Essences refer to lightweight, liquid formulations, often water-based, that can add a boost of hydration or brightening to the skin and are meant to be applied as a first step after cleansing," explained Dr. Garshick.

In addition to the extra hydration, some essences are formulated with higher concentrations of active ingredients to help the other products in your skin care routine better penetrate the skin, and some contain antioxidants to add further protection against free radicals and pollution.

How to Use an Essence

"An essence can be incorporated into a daily or nighttime routine and is safe to use one to two times per day," said Dr. Garshick. "It is generally best to apply after cleansing and prior to applying any serums or moisturizers." 

Essences are safe for all skin types, and Dr. Garshick noted they can be universally beneficial because they boost hydration.

Using a Toner and Essence Together

You can use both a toner and an essence; however, you must do so in the right order. 

"Essences are typically lightweight solutions that contain a high concentration of active ingredients, be they anti-aging or hydrating, that are pressed into the skin after cleansing," said Dr. Camp. "If using an essence in combination with a toner, essences are applied right afterward. Moisturizers can be layered on top of essences to seal them into the skin."

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