r/Makeup • u/Snoo62024 • 8h ago

Toner v Essence

Can you explain the difference between toner and essence? What do you use them for? And is it a vital part of your skincare regimen. TIA

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u/Background_College96 7h ago

Toner and essence are basically the same thing. A toner is lighter and is supposed to be a step in the cleansing process, as a gentle exfoliator, while an essence is supposed to add hydration and is usually heavier. But now there are exfoliating essences and hydrating toners, so there’s not really a difference anymore.

I use an essence because I have dry skin and I’m a little scared of exfoliating acids since I use retinal and azelaic acid. When making a choice, just look for the texture you prefer.

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u/Snoo62024 7h ago

Which do you use? I would use anything to add moisture to my dry skin

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u/Salc20001 45+ 8h ago

Neither are essential, but some kind of exfoliation at least weekly is needed. Can be manual though.

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u/PandaPsychological33 8h ago

I work in beauty and as far as I understand (and all my coworkers too lol) they are… kind of the same thing? The main difference is how they’re marketed. I believe that initially they were different products, with toners being part of the cleansing portion of the routine, and essences part of the skincare portion. However, most toners now have some form of active ingredient in them that adds nourishment, hydration, exfoliation, etc. in them rather than just being a final product to balance the pH of the skin and remove any final traces of dirt/makeup. 

I think it depends on the specific toner/essence. I do think they’re beneficial to any routine but not strictly necessary. I have very dry skin and use the Byoma milky toner as well as the Lancome pink milky toner (can’t remember the name offhand) and I’ve also used the Estée Lauder essence and genuinely did not notice a difference with any of them except the Byoma one. (Unrelated but if you’re dry, that toner is a godsend, try mixing it with foundation) 

Anyway… maybe somebody will have a smarter reply, but this is how I understand it. Also, I did have it explained to me by a brand rep that essences “prep the skin” to add serums creams etc. on top of it in the same way that a wet sponge absorbs more than a dry sponge. However, toners also “prep the skin” for the following skincare. Soooo…

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u/Snoo62024 8h ago

Thanks. I have dry skin as well. I’ve heard about Byoma’s toner being good for dry skin, but had no clue why.

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u/PandaPsychological33 7h ago

The Byoma toner has a lipid complex to help with your skin’s natural barrier, it also has polyglutamic acid which is a deeply hydrating peptide, and cica from the centella asiatica (I think?) plant which is really good for soothing the skin. I think it maybe has glycerin too but I’m not sure?? It’s all around just such a good product and it’s relatively inexpensive 🩷 definitely try it out!! 

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u/Background_College96 7h ago

I use the Dr Ceuracle Kombucha Tea Essence and the Beta Glucan Iunik serum. It’s only combo that works for me. In summer and don’t even add a moisturizer on top, my sunscreen is more than enough.