FACE ESSENCES VS. SERUMS
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE
AND HOW TO USE THEM TOGETHER

Essences and serums are skincare essentials with unique roles in your routine. In this guide, we’ll explain what each does, their differences, and why combining them can elevate your skincare game. Plus, learn how to combine Origins favorites, like Plantscription™ Essence and Plantscription™ Multi-Powered Youth Serum, to help you have your best skin yet.

What Is A Face Essence?

A face essence, often called a face milk or essence lotion, is a lightweight, watery product that preps your skin for the next product. Think of it as a primer for your skincare routine. Packed with hydrating and nourishing ingredients, essences can help boost moisture levels, leaving skin radiant and plump. Sometimes essences can even include high-potency ingredients. For example, Origins’ Plantscription™ Essence, featuring micronized squalane and anogeissus, hydrates and strengthens the skin barrier, promoting a revitalized, youthful look.

What Is A Face Serum?

Serums are more concentrated and targeted skin treatments. They’re designed to penetrate deeply into the skin’s surface to address specific concerns, such as fine lines, dark spots, or loss of elasticity. Serums can range in texture from lightweight to heavyweight, but they’re typically packed with potent active ingredients. Origins’ Plantscription™ Multi-Powered Youth Serum is a prime example, featuring with ingredients, to support youthful-looking skin by addressing fine lines and lack of firmness.

Essence vs. Serum: What’s the Difference?

While both contain active ingredients, their purpose, texture, and order of use differ:

Texture: Essences are light and watery to help hydrate and prep the skin. Serums are thicker, with potent ingredients for targeted concerns.

Benefits: Essences help boost hydration and can help enhance product absorption. Serums often focus on specific issues like visible signs of aging or discoloration.

Order in Routine: Use essences after cleansing and before applying serums.

Can You Use A FACE ESSENCE
AND SERUM TOGETHER?

Yes! In some cases, Essences can help enhance product absorption! In fact, our in vitro testing shows that starting with Plantscription™ Essence can help your skin absorb Plantscription™ Active Wrinkle Serum with Retinoid more efficiently, so you enjoy all the benefits of both products. Our new Essence boosts its penetration by 1.3x!*

*In vitro testing – skin surface penetration at 1 hour of PX Active Wrinkle Correction Serum when used with PX Youth Boosting Essence vs. alone

HOW TO USE A FACE ESSENCE AND SERUM IN YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE

Create a balanced and effective skincare routine using Origins products with each step to target hydration, skin prep, and nourishment:

STEP 1:
Cleanse

Start with our Checks and Balances™ Frothy Face Wash, which gently removes impurities, excess oil, and makeup for skin that feels comfortably clean.

STEP 2:
APPLY ESSENCE

Pour a small amount of Plantscription™ Youth-Boosting Essence into your palms or onto a cotton pad, and press it lightly into your face and neck. The hydrating formula preps your skin, enhancing absorption for the next steps.

Plantscription™ Active Wrinkle Correction Serum With Retinoid

STEP 3:
FOLLOW WITH SERUM

Next, apply Plantscription™ Active Wrinkle Serum with Retinoid by pumping a small amount onto your fingertips. Smooth it over your face and neck, focusing on areas like the forehead, cheeks, and neck where you want to target signs of aging and enhance elasticity.

STEP 4:
MOISTURIZE

Seal in hydration with Plantscription™ Powerful Lifting Cream. This rich, luxurious cream locks in moisture while helping to support firmer, more lifted-looking skin.

BONUS:

Finish with Plantscription™ Wrinkle Correction Eye Cream with Encapsulated Retinol. This ultra-hydrating, eye cream for wrinkles has Encapsulated Retinol to noticeably improve the look of fine under eye lines, crow's feet, and frown lines while the velvety-soft, smoothing formula instantly melts into skin.

STEP 5:
EYE CREAM

Start with our Checks and Balances™

Frothy Face Wash, which gently

removes impurities, excess oil, and

makeup for skin that feels

comfortably clean.

BRINGING ESSENCE AND SERUM TOGETHER FOR YOUR BEST SKIN YET

Incorporating a face essence and serum into your routine can enhance hydration and address specific skin needs, helping you work toward a more radiant, healthy-looking glow. Essences are designed to prep and hydrate, while serums typically focus on delivering carefully chosen, powerful ingredients for targeted concerns. Curious about which products might suit your skin best? Take our interactive skincare quiz or connect with a skincare expert at Origins to explore your options and discover what works for you!