Toners, Mists, Essences & Ampoules: What are They and Do I Need Them?

Thanks to the life-changing and skin-reviving effects of the Korean beauty revolution, we’ve been exposed to skincare routines that return silky smooth, flawless complexion using only natural ingredients blended into ultra-powerful formulas. The only issue is that they include a few more products and steps than we’re used to. So, if you’re having any doubts about toners, mists, essences, or ampoules, we’ve cleared them all up for you below!

Your Brief Guide to Toners, Mists, Essences, and Ampoules

Toners

What are Toners?

Skin toner, or simply toner, is a lotion, tonic, or wash that gently refreshes the skin while shrinking pores. 

What do Toners do?

Toners are formulated to remove oil, traces of dirt, bacteria, and makeup, essentially cleansing and purifying the skin. The results are often a more even complexion, fewer blemishes, and minimized pores. 

Do I Need to Use a Toner?

Toners are usually applied directly after cleansing and are not necessary for everyone, so they can be skipped as a skincare step. However, they can offer additional benefits if you want to target a specific skin concern. As well they’re suitable to be used on all skin types due to their simple formulas.

Mists

What are Skin Mists?

As the name suggests, skin mists are skincare products that you spray directly onto your face. Their liquid formula is generally packed full of active ingredients, essences, and essential oils that supply an instant hit of hydration and nourishment to the skin.

What do Skin Mists do?

Most facial mists are formulated to fight dryness and revitalize dull, tired skin. Depending on the ingredients, mists can boost hydration, aid the absorption of other skincare products, improve makeup application, and target all sorts of different skincare issues.

Do I need to Use Skin Mists?

Everyone can benefit from incorporating skin mists into their skincare routine. Some people even opt to spray these mists onto their make-up-free faces throughout the day for an extra hydration boost. It may not be an essential skincare step such as cleansing or applying sunscreen. Still, mists are certainly a convenient way to instantly refresh your skin while on the go. 

Essences

What are Essences?

Essence is a water-based skincare product that acts as a primer for your skincare routine. Most essence formulas contain a high concentration of active ingredients that hydrate, protect, nourish, and boost the overall health of the skin.

What do Essences do?

The primary goal of an essence is to hydrate and re-balance the skin while helping the other products in your skincare routine to better absorb into your skin. Essences can also reduce excess oil production, decongest pores, smooth skin, and brighten your complexion for a glowy, youthful look.

Do I need to Use Essences?

While essences aren’t entirely necessary, they’re certainly worthwhile for their ability to enhance the power of the active ingredients in your skincare routine. 

You apply the essence to a clean face where it preps the skin to effectively absorb any of the following products, like serum and moisturizer.

Ampoules

What are Ampoules?

An ampoule is a small, single-use glass vial or tube containing a supercharged serum with the highest concentrations of active ingredients possible. 

What Does an Ampoule do?

Ampoules are essentially designed to “power up” your skincare routine temporarily. Depending on the ampoule formula, different skin concerns are targets, such as dull, acne-prone, aging skin, or all at once!

Do I need to use Ampoules?

Ampoules aren’t made for everyday use. Instead, they should be saved for special occasions when your skin needs that extra kick. So, suppose you’ve noticed your skin is looking a little duller lately despite being consistent with your skincare routine. In that case, it’s time to enlist the help of a healing ampoule.

If you’re following all the traditional Korean skincare routine steps, ampoules go on after cleansing, toning, and essence.

Finally … 

Toners, mists, essences and ampoules are complicated beauty products – only because most people haven’t gotten to know them yet. Thanks to Korean skincare trends, their benefits are gaining popularity day by day, so, it’s worth figuring out whether these skincare products are worth adding to your daily routine.