Did Jurlique Activating Water Essence Just Make My Moisturizer Obsolete?
Seconds count when you have dry/dehydrated skin. The transition from cleansing to toning to treating and moisturizing can be the difference between dewy-plump skin and uncomfortable tightness that’s hard to correct. When I splashed Jurlique’s new Activating Water Essence+ on my fresh-washed skin, I was shocked: my skin wasn’t immediately screaming for another layer of moisture. I’m not ditching my moisturizer completely (the dehydration is real), but I could feel the hydration in Activating Water Essence+ working.
How I Got Here…
The most awesome peeps at Team Jurlique sent me their new Activating Water Essence+ to try, then share my honest opinion. I’m not an esthetician, but I know skin care and I know ingredients thanks to gleaning 18 years of knowledge off insanely talented chemists, estheticians, doctors, and product formulators—people way more talented than myself.
What Is an Essence?
Essences work like toners: they hydrate, balance, and act like a wick so what you layer on top is better absorbed. Because they’re more of a conduit to your dewy skin end game, essences are misunderstood but can be the unsung hero of any skin care routine.
Let’s Talk Ingredients
Packaged in sustainable glass (yay!), Jurlique’s Activating Water Essence+ ingredient list reveals some heavy-hitting hydrators including propanediol, glycerin, and sodium hyaluronate (derived from super-hydrator hyaluronic acid but with a lower molecular weight for better and deeper skin penetration). The top-billed ingredients are two marshmallow root extracts—rich in polysaccharides and flavonoids (aka things your skin LOVES)—to soothe and hydrate.
If your jam is to Google ingredients, might find some negative press on propanediol. I encourage you to do your own research and make your own conclusions, but I will say this: when used at the levels approved by the FDA (which I’m 100% confident Jurlique followed or this product wouldn’t be in my hands right now) propanediol has been classified as safe for use on skin. (Ok, I’m putting my soap box away.)
Thicker Than Water
I cleansed, I toned, I shook the bottle (not required). That was my way to test viscosity and weight. The most beautiful bubbles slowly rippled to the top. A lovely ASMR moment, yes—but the bubbles revealed the essence would feel substantial on my skin.
Jurlique says to dispense Activating Water Essence+ into your palm then gently press over face, neck, and chest. This hands-on application of essence is growing more popular to help cut down on waste and get every last drop of essence right into skin. I rubbed my palms together a bit to make sure the product didn’t spill before it reached my face.
Bye-Bye, Dry Skin
The application of Jurlique’s Activating Water Essence+ is a lovely experience—it has a comfortable slip-and-glide that lets you move and smooth all the hydrating goodness from forehead to neck. A little goes a long way, too. My skin soaked up all the nourishment and hydration packed into this beautiful product. My skin looks so dewy-fresh I’m foregoing the makeup (but never the SPF). Going au natural is my personal testament to the hydrating powers of this essence.
Is This Essence Right for Your Skin?
If you know you need to hydrate your skin but hate moisturizers (acne- and oily-prone people, I see you and feel you), this essence could be your ultimate answer. If you’re dry/dehydrated and need that extra kick to keep skin looking dewy and hydrated, this will do the trick year-round.