Ever since I got a travel size of SK-II PITERA™ Facial Treatment Essence that is on sale right now for $99 for a very small 2.5 fl. oz. (!), I’ve been searching for an affordable substitute. To be honest, I haven’t found an essence like the SK-II with PITERA and such a lightweight formula that’s like water, but I have tried others that still provide good benefits.
One of these alternatives is Hanskin Hyaluron Skin Essence. Especially in the winter when the weather looks like this (that’s a foot of snow, BTW):
my skin is even drier than usual. Adding a hyaluronic acid essence to my routine makes sense especially during the day when my sunscreen/moisturizer doesn’t have much HA in it.
Hanskin Hyaluron Skin Essence
Hanskin Hyaluron Skin Essence is a Korean beauty brand that I bought as a discounted add-on to my Ipsy every other month subscription. I probably paid about $12 for it.
The essence comes in a heavy glass bottle that is easily recycled. The bottle contains 150 ml/5.07 fl. oz. and will last me several months.
The key ingredients in the skin essence are moisture-creating ingredients: glycerin, sodium hyaluronate (the form of hyaluronic acid with small molecules that penetrate skin), and hydrolyzed collagen. Glycerin gives the essence is slightly heavier than water formula, but unlike a few others I’ve tried, it isn’t thick or sticky. My skin drinks it up, leaving it feeling supple, hydrated and plumped. It is supposed to give you the Korean “glass skin” look, but I think you need 25 year old skin for that.
Importantly, Hanskin Hyaluron Skin Essence works well under serums and moisturizers as well as under foundation. I cleanse my skin, follow up with toner, and pat a few drops of the Essence onto my face. Next, I apply serum and sunscreen/moisturizer.
The Hyaluron Skin Essence is fragrance-free. It is rated 1 (very safe) by the EWG (Environmental Working Group). It’s recommended for all skin types and all ages. It was chosen as a Soko Glam Best of K-Beauty Winner in 2017.
Hanskin Hyaluron Skin Essence is sold on the Hanskin website (along with many of their other skincare products including the entire Hyaluron collection), Ulta Beauty, JC Penney, and Soko Glam. The MSRP is $25. Right now, it is on sale at JC Penney where it is even further marked down to $18 with the code RENEWYOU.
If you are considering adding an essence to your skincare lineup or if you’re looking for a new essence to try, Hanskin Hyaluron Skin Essence is worth your consideration.
Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Rhus Semialata Call Extract, Gynostemma Pentaphyllum Leaf/Stem Extract, Zostera Marina Extract, 1, 2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethelcellulose, Citric Acid, Socium Citrate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Saccharide Isomerate, Hydrolyzed Algin, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol
Sounds like this would be great for me – good price, HA and fragrance free.
I thought of you when I saw that it was fragrance-free. Here in the chilly northeast, I am enjoying it a lot! Worth considering 😉