The Difference Between Toner, Essence, Serum and Ampoule Explained

Picture this: You’re walking down a beauty aisle…you spot toner, serum, essence, ampoule…and your brain is like woah, wait a minute! You pick up a product or two, read the labels and find yourself blankly staring at them while you’re probably scratching your head.

Wondering, what is toner? What is serum? What is essence? What is an ampoule?

Trust me, you aren't alone if you get a little overwhelmed!

In all honesty, the world of skincare is already brimming with 100 products and to add to it we have the famed K-beauty routine which involves a plethora of products. As if the ingredient-led face cleansers and moisturisers weren’t enough, they’ve given us a whole new aisle of skincare products to catch up on.

So we’re here to clear up all your confusion. So let the investigations begin!

Let’s talk Toner

What is toner? Think of toner as an appetizer. Its main job is to prep your skin for the main course. Essentially toners were designed to balance the skin's pH levels which can be thrown off by cleansing. While there are low pH cleansers that can help reduce this imbalance, the water used to rinse the product off can leave the skin in a slightly alkaline state. That’s when a toner comes into play- neutralizing the effects of cleansing by bringing the skin's pH to the ideal range of 4.5-6.2. It also works to remove the last traces of makeup or dirt your cleanser might have missed, making the skin more amenable to what’s about to go on top. However, nowadays most toners are designed to do this and much more. These lightweight liquids serve as a base layer of hydration, antioxidants and more.

What does a toner look like? 

It simply looks like water and feels like water.

When to use a toner?

Always use it after you have cleansed your face.

How is toner used? 

Soak a cotton pad with the toner or spritz it onto your face and then swipe it over your entire face, neck, and chest.

Ready to try one? Here are the best toners for all skin types:

1. Good Vibes Glow Toner - Green Tea

Customer Rating: 4.4 / 5

Net volume: 120ml

Good Vibes Green Tea Toner is a lightweight, alcohol-free hydrating face toner. It effectively balances the skin’s pH levels, minimizes the appearance of visible pores and instantly refreshes skin. Green Tea helps in reducing the appearance of dark spots, dark circles and blemishes thereby enhancing the skin complexion and improving skin tone. The antibacterial and astringent properties of Green Tea inhibit the growth of acne-causing bacteria and regulate excess sebum production. Being anti-inflammatory in nature, Green Tea prevents skin irritation, reduces redness and soothes inflamed skin.

Explore: Good Vibes Toners.

2. The Face Shop Rice & Ceramide Moisturizing Toner

Customer Rating: 4.4 / 5

Net volume: 150ml

Get your hands on this moisturizing toner crafted with Rice Bran Oil, Glycerine, and Vegetable Ceramide. It rebalances the skin's pH levels, shrinks pores and brightens the skin. Its natural ingredients add a little moisture and prep the skin for further layering of skincare products. If, you want to include toners in your skincare routine then here are some of the best skincare toners you should have.

Explore: The Face Shop Toners.

The essence of an Essence

What is essence? Let’s say that an essence is like a really tall glass of water that you’d pour yourself on a hot day... So if your skin is drying out for help, an essence will come to its rescue. Essences were born in Korea and ideally lend a major moisture boost. They work to penetrate the deep layers of the skin. This extra boost of hydration is what gives them that light from within glow allowing the skin to absorb all the goodness of the serum that comes after.

What does an essence look like?

The texture of an essence is much more watery than that of a serum and less concentrated.

When to use an essence?

It should always be used after a toner and before a serum.

How to use an essence?

Pump out 2-3 drops into your palms and gently massage it into your face using your fingertips.

Your skin will love these essences:

1. L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Crystal Micro-Essence

Customer Rating: 4.2 / 5

Net Volume: 22ml

L'Oreal Paris brings to you a revolution in skincare. Powered with active ingredients like brightening salicylic acid, this essence accelerates skin renewal and mildly exfoliates to refine pores and skin texture & penetrates up to 10 skin layers* to reveal your bright, crystal clear youthful skin.

Explore: Loreal Paris Serums.

2. Good Vibes Vitamin C & B3 Skin Glow Face Serum 

Customer Rating: 4.1 / 5

Net Volume: 10ml

Infused with the skin-restoring property of Vitamin B3, this serum improves the appearance of enlarged pores and treats uneven skin tone, dullness and a weakened skin surface. Also rich in Vitamin C, it stimulates collagen production to give you a brighter, youthful complexion.

Explore: Good Vibes Serums.

A quick word on serums

What is serum? A serum is perhaps the most popular one among these players. Typically, serums are blended with high concentrations of active ingredients to specifically target certain skin concerns like dullness, dark spots, fine lines, etc. These active ingredients are formulated in a water-based matrix to deeply penetrate the skin.

What does serum look like?

It is slightly thicker in consistency with an emollient gel-like texture.

When to use a serum?

Must always be applied after a toner or essence but before moisturizing.

How is serum used?

Apply two to three drops of the serum to your palm and use your fingertips to gently pat the formula into your skin.

Scroll down for the best serums:

1. Good Vibes Radiant Glow Face Serum - RoseHip

Customer Rating: 4.3 / 5

Net volume: 10ml

Give your face a bright glow with the richness of Rose Hip. Good Vibes - an easy to apply, non-greasy serum formula that makes your skin look radiant and glowing. It helps brighten and soften your skin, giving it an even-toned, supple texture. This serum imparts intense nourishment along with a natural, dazzling glow that stays with you all day long! Get ready to show the world your shine. Bring out your healthy & natural glow with this rejuvenating serum.

2. Minimalist 10% Niacinamide Face Serum for Blemishes, Acne Marks, Oil Balancing, & Acne with Zinc

Customer Rating: 4.3 / 5

Net Volume: 30ml

A nourishing, daily serum packed with pure Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) and antibacterial mineral zinc that boosts dermal immunity, keeping your skin resilient and healthy.

Explore: Minimalist Serums.

If you are struggling with oily skin, and are confused about which serum to pick then here are some best facial serums for oily skin.

Let’s get down to Ampoule business

What is an ampoule? Think of it as a booster shot. This dainty but mighty star packs a solid punch of active ingredients than a serum. An ampoule supercharges your skin bringing it back to life with its highly concentrated formula. If your skin is going through a rough patch, layering an ampoule before an essence is a wonderful way to refresh your regimen. It is usually used as a special treatment for when your skin is having a crisis.

What does an ampoule look like? 

It has an almost watery-like texture and comes in a small vial or dropper bottle.

When to use an ampoule?

Use it once a week, before your essence or serum, only when needed.

How to use an ampoule?

Dispense ½ of the serum into your palm and slowly massage it over the face and neck, using your fingertips.

Check out the best ampoule for face:

1. LISEN Supercharge ++ Muti-Solution Ampoule

Customer Rating: N/A

Net Volume: 30ml

Supercharge ++ ampoule is Lightweight and quick-absorbing, this ampoule penetrates deep into the layers of skin to protect, prevent and over time reverse the ill effects caused by environmental factors, sun, ageing, and stress that life gives us in general.

Explore: Lisen Serums & essences

2. Quench Botanics Mama Cica Dark Spot Correcting Ampoule 

Customer Rating: N/A

Net Volume: 30ml

TACKLES BLEMISHES AND FADES DARK SPOTS: A quick-absorbing, concentrated serum packed with potent actives that target skin concerns such as dark spots, uneven skin tone and dullness.

Explore: Quench Botanics Serums & essences

AND CASE CLOSED: That’s a wrap on our investigation into the world of skincare potions.

So whether you choose to use them all or just one of them, these power-packed products will do wonders for your skin. But remember to layer them correctly and choose the products or ingredients your skin really needs.

Read More - Take A Step Towards The Glowing Skin