Facial essence feels like water and looks like water and, if you believe the hype, is almost as essential. This is the new addition to your already laborious cleansing routine – this is the step between rinsing and moisturising where you pat a liquid into your face and hope for the best. The modern version of a toner, essences prepare the skin for your moisturiser, with Tom Ford’s Intensive Infusion Treatment Essence (£82, tomford.com) promising to hydrate and soften and basically make you prettier. As you press it into your skin twice a day, patting the recommended 100 times, half of you will be congratulating yourself on this investment in your skin’s health. The other half will be lost in a 90s reverie, remembering how simple washing used to be.
Alternatively
SK-II Facial Treatment Essence £105, harrods.com
Sisley Essential Care Lotion £100, uk.spacenk.com
RMK Firming Essence £48, selfridges.com
Clarins HydraQuench Intensive Serum £43, boots.com
Kiehl’s Iris Extract Treatment Essence £36, kiehls.co.uk
Suqqu Repair Essence £85, selfridges.com
