Item: Moisture Calming Essence
Rating: 4
Author: cs*******

The centella asiatica content is reportedly very high - 93%! In fact, water is the first ingredient, followed by centella asiatica extract as the second. While not all centella extracts are created equal, I personally love this one. For a product labeled as an essence, it feels more like a skin toner. It's a bit thicker and heavier than a typical toner, which might make you question the 'essence' label at first. But once you apply it, you'll understand why it's called an essence (more on that in the downsides). They recently launched a toner in this line, but honestly, unless you're adamant about using a toner or matching your entire skincare line, you don't really need to buy it separately. Just use this essence instead. I'm already on my second bottle because while it doesn't necessarily prevent or eliminate blemishes, it does provide decent daily care! Plus, the packaging is easy to recycle, which is another bonus.

The scent is a bit tart, similar to the SK-II Pitera Essence I used before. However, it dissipates quickly. The texture when applying is... well, imagine touching an eel with your bare hands - it's that kind of slippery feeling. There's a noticeable difference in how your skin feels 5 minutes after using just a toner versus using this product alone. This essence makes your skin feel 'a bit less' tight, but the effect doesn't last very long. Absorption is on the slower side. It can feel a bit heavy on busy mornings, but it's not bad when used occasionally at night. And... while there are certainly other expensive products out there, for some reason this brand feels particularly pricey to me. I'm not sure why, but it just does!

Here are three ways to apply it: 1. Soak 1/2 of a triple-layer cotton pad, gently swipe it across your face, and leave it be. 2. After applying, cup your warm hands over your face to help absorption. 3. Put the soaked cotton pad on your fingertip and gently pat it into your skin. (I've been loving method 3 lately - perfect for impatient folks like me!)