How to Even Start?
Essences, serums, ampoules… How can these three things be so similar and yet also completely different? Well, if you know anything about Kbeauty or Korean Skincare, you’ll know that each of these things may appear similar on the outside, but they each have their own particular roles in a proper skincare routine.
I’ll try to break it down for you.
We’ll start simple. Essences. Essences are, first and foremost, meant to rehydrate the skin after cleansing and toning. Some toners even double as essences (think of our own super-hydrating Nutrient Toner). Most essences are fairly lightweight enough to be used both morning and night and contain certain nutrients to improve specific skin concerns like dullness or signs of aging.
OxygenCeuticals has three essences that keep your skin hydrated and looking healthy and bright! Think of how good you look after a restful sleep and a glass of water!
Let’s look at the OxygenCeuticals’ Essence Fortes!
Age Defying Essence Forte
The Age Defying Essence Forte is a super moisturizing prep-step that packs two benefits into one bottle.
This rich texture essence gives skin a luminous glow, helps fades fine lines, minimizes pores, improves elasticity, smooths its texture, boosts its healthy tone, and hydrates for up to 24 hours. It contains adenosine and allantoin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Research suggests that adenosine can soothe and heal damaged skin by stimulating skin fibroblasts, a type of cell that secretes collagen proteins. Additionally, Panthenol and Hyaluronic Acid both work to not only moisturizes the skin, but retain hydration for up to twenty-four hours.
This essence is a gold mine of anti-aging benefits, but Adenosine is the star of the show.
To use the Age Defying Essence Forte:
- Apply an adequate amount to the skin.
- Pat gently into the skin until fully absorbed.
- Use with a Fluid of choice for enhanced effects.
- Use daily, morning and night, after cleansing and before serums and moisturizers.
Hydra Soothing Essence Forte
The Hydra Soothing Essence Forte moisturizing powerhouse is an essence/serum that packs two benefits into one. Its main ingredients, Squalene and Vitamin E simultaneously hydrate, soothe, and protect the skin.
Squalene is a naturally formed lipid that your body produces to lubricate and protect your skin. Vitamin E, an antioxidant, fights off damage caused by free radicals while soothing irritated skin. This essence is perfect for dry and irritated skin and can be used alongside any serum or cream for extra hydrating effects.
To use this essence:
- Apply an adequate amount to the face.
- Pat gently into the skin until absorbed.
Radiance Essence Forte
A brightening essence for clear and bright skin, the Radiance Essence Forte contains niacinamide to suppress melanin synthesis and movement. Niacinamide is EVERYTHING when it comes to brighter, more even skin.
It also contains Pulsatilla Koreana Extract which comes from a plant native to Korea and often used in Korean cosmetics for its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial benefits. This can soothe skin redness and even calm active acne.
To use the Radiance Essence Forte:
- Apply an appropriate amount to the skin.
- Pat gently until product is fully absorbed.
- Combine with an OxygenCeuticals’ Fluid of choice for enhanced, personalized benefits.
And now that we’ve covered essences, we’ll move on to serums.
A serum is a more concentrated form of an essence. Serums target specific skin problems with a bit more power. Serums have a higher concentration of active ingredients and therefore have a stronger effect. Serums are a staple in Korean skincare. I’ll show you the serums that OxygenCeuticals has for you! The Vitamin Trio are three serums that contain high concentrations of vitamins and nutrients for your skin!
Phyto Gel
By far, one of OxygenCeuticals bestselling serums, Phyto Gel has a quickly absorbable, light texture that doesn’t leave a heavy, greasy feeling on the skin. It’s a brightening serum that uses niacinamide to even out the skin tone and reduce hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
But it’s more than just that.
Phyto Gel also contains Hyaluronic Acid that penetrates the deep layers of the skin to provide long lasting hydration. Hydrated skin is glowing, healthy skin. It also contains Centella Asiatica Leaf extract, an ingredient well-known for its soothing, healing qualities for red or irritated skin.
To use Phyto Gel:
- Apply an adequate amount to the skin after ampoules.
- Gently pat into the skin until fully absorbed.
- For anti-oxidative effects, use with Serum 12/17
Serum 12/17
If you’re a skincare buff, you probably already know that Vitamin C is a godsend for skin health. While it can be harsh to very sensitive skin types, it’s known to treat hyperpigmentation, acne, dull skin, dry skin, and damaged skin. Vitamin C Serums, much like how Vitamin C tablets protect our immune systems, provide a layer of protection to the skin to prevent damage from free radicals, oxidative stress, and UVA and UVB rays. Vitamin C inhibits melanin synthesis, which causes hyperpigmentation, resulting in the prevention of skin discoloration.
OxygenCeuticals’ Serum 12 and Serum 17 are two sizes of the same product. Serum 12 comes with pure Vitamin C powder and 30ml of Vitamin E serum. Mixing the two will result in a solution with 12% Vitamin C, hence the name ‘Serum 12’. Serum 17 is much the same but with 17% of Vitamin C and 60ml of Vitamin E solution.
The serums not only contain Vitamin C and E, but also Sodium PCA, a moisturizing factor that hydrates and smooths uneven texture. They also each contain anti-aging ingredient allantoin to sooth and keep skin soft.
To use Serum 12/17:
- Mix the Serum 12/17 with the Vitamin C powder.
- Shake thoroughly.
- Apply 1-2 drops on the skin and pat until fully absorbed.
- Vitamin C can irritate very sensitive skin, so it’s best to apply our B5 Gel or Phyto Gel before applying Serum 12/17.
B5 Gel
Another popular vitamin serum, the B5 Gel is a super absorbant, vitamin-rich, anti-aging serum pack with vitamin B5 and other moisturizing factors to keep the skin feeling soft and smooth!
Formulated with Panthenol, a form of vitamin B5, to soothe and smooth the skin. This serum also contains anti-aging agent, Adenosine. Adenosine improves skin elasticity, smooths out wrinkles, and keeps the skin looking youthful. Adenosine works by activating fibroblasts in the skin, which secrete collagen proteins and heal wounds.
Moisture is important in aging skin, too. This serum contains both Hyaluronic Acid and Honeysuckle Extracts to hydrate and maintain moisture content deep within the skin layers for longer.
To use the B5 Gel:
- Apply 1-2 drops of the serum to the skin.
- Pat gently until absorbed.
- It’s recommended to use in conjunction with the Serum 12/17 and Phyto Gel for bonus anti-oxidative and brightening effects.
- It can also be used as a base for Ultrasonic or Ion Therapy.
Moisture Aqua Serum
OxygenCeuticals’ Moisture Aqua Serum is a light, hydrating serum that creates an oil-water balance in the skin. This serum is not only packed with Hyaluronic Acid and Jojoba Oil, which make it so moisturizing, it also contains Arginine and Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract. Arginine is a great antioxidant that controls the skin pH balance while Camellia Sinensis smooths the skin and repairs damage.
This serum works wonders when used together with the Acell-300 Fluid. We actually offer the two products in a quick and easy kit for those who want to try it out before buying the full size products. This is the Acell Moisture Kit! A must have serum set for anyone suffering with dry skin.
To use the serum:
- At the serum step, apply an adequate amount to the face.
- Pat gently onto the skin until it is absorbed.
- For best results, mix with a fluid that matches your skin concern! (For dry skin, mix with the Acell-300 Fluid!)
ReGenon Serum
One of the newest members of the OxygenCeuticals’ family is the ReGenon Serum. Officially marketed as an anti-aging serum, this serum is much more.
Containing 20,000ppm of Idebenone, this serum has serious antioxidative power! Considered to be 4x more powerful than Vitamin C, Idebenone evens out skin tone and improves hyperpigmentation.
Other ingredients like the Superberry Complex, made up of apples, grapes, pomegranates, palm beans, western plums, peaches, and watermelons work to protect the skin from external environmental hazards like fine dust and pollution.
The Oil Complex and Amino Acid 17 Complex supply nutrients to skin cells to maintain moisture and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
This serum is not limited to use on mature skin. In fact, the earlier the better. Using antioxidant serums can prevent skin aging while improving the common issues of younger skin, such as acne and pigmentation.
To use the ReGenon Serum:
- Apply an appropriate amount to the skin.
- Gently tap into the skin until fully absorbed.
- Use with ReGenon Cream for enhanced anti-oxidative and hydrating effects.
Conclusion
Essences and serums. Serums and essences. While they do look alike, they’re both equally important steps in any skincare routine!
As for how to use them, it’s easy! People typically suggest that essence goes before serum, but we believe you should order your skincare products by their consistency. If your essence is heavier and thicker than your serum, then the serum should be applied first, and vice versa!
In the end, essences and serums can pack a punch to your skin problems. Mix and match to get the perfect combination to target your fine lines and wrinkles or your acne or both or even other kinds of skin problems!
OxygenCeuticals has such a great line up that build well on top of each other! But don’t take my word for it, try some of them out yourself!
Until next time!
Breathe life into your skin!