The Beauty Essence — Edith & June

All of us have different key steps in our skincare routine. To some girls, their oil is the most important step, where to others, a chemical exfoliant is something they can't go without. To girls who need an extra boost of hydration under their moisturizer, the key step in that routine would be an essence, a product that originates from Korean skincare. Essentially a cross between a toner and a serum, an essence is typically a milky, yet lightweight water that you press into the skin before moisturizer. They help to add an extra layer of hydration and help moisturizer really sink in and do it's job, without blocking pores and creating a thick blanket over the skin. Today, we're going to be showing you some of our favorites, from middle to high end prices and why we love them. Have a favorite? Let us know below if we missed one.

Tatcha's The Essence

One of the most popular on our list, this Tatcha number is expensive, but worth every penny when it comes to performance. This essence does everything it's supposed to: makes skin smoother, more hydrated and plump, while applying anti-aging properties for a little extra protection.

Farmacy's Skin Dew

This one comes in the form of a mist unlike traditional essence's, as it can also be used as a setting spray to be used over makeup. Containing Farmacy's Echinacea GreenEnvy, this essence also has skin soothing benefits to help prevent and calm any redness or skin agitations such as rosacea or eczema.

Koh Gen Do's Oriental Plant Essence

Another Asian brand option, Japanese Koh Gen Doh offers this botanical essence to help firm and hydrate skin, and users claim that it brings serious brightness and radiance to the skin. Formulated without parabens, sulfates, and mineral derived oil, this plant-based product won't irritate your skin if you're looking for a more sensitive option.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Essence

Probably the most widely available of all the essences on this list, this body shop number works just as well as the expensive options and is an easy savior to seriously dry skin, and we mean peeling, extremely lackluster skin. This has saved our skin more than once, and with the cold, windy weather in NYC, it's heaven sent.