Another week, another K-Beauty brand to add to your radar. This time, we’re eyeing for the indie Korean Beauty brand SCINIC and its two major all-star players: The Simple Calming Toner and the First Treatment Essence. But before we get into the skincare reviews, do you know the difference between a face toner and a face essence? Even if you’re familiar with the 10-step Korean skincare routine, you might still find it confusing to differentiate between a toner and an essence. But not to worry, we’re here to break down the difference for you with the SCINIC’s best skin care treatments and find out the best way to incorporate this K-Beauty brand into your skincare routine this fall.

What is SCINIC?

Launched in 2003, SCINIC is a Korean brand that specializes in skincare products which provide effective skin solutions according to customers’ needs based on scientific and natural ingredients. SCINIC believes in the power of “Science + Natural + Clinic” and reflects such philosophy in its line of skincare products that boast fast, instant results for your skin conditions.

Loved and trusted by Korean actress Kyung Soo-Jin, SCINIC’s face toner and face essence lineup, aka The Simple Calming Toner and the First Treatment Essence , have become a coveted essentials for achieving the ultimate Korean glass-skin complexion.

Courtesy of Korean Beauty Brand - SCINIC

SCINIC formulates nutritious formulas made with natural ingredients like extracts and oils from seeds, marine collagen, algae extracts, hyaluronic acid and, traditional for Korean brands, snail mucin. Not to mention the Korean brand is free from alcohol, artificial fragrances and dyes, which is perfect for sensitive skin.

Face Toner

A face toner is considered an essential step in one's skincare routine because it is used to remove residue from your cleansers as well as any pollutants from the day. In the world of Korean skincare, a face toner comes before a face essence and helps restore the skin’s pH level. That’s why you should add SCINIC’s The Simple Calming Toner pH 5.5 to your skincare routine to prep your skin after your double cleansing skincare step .

Courtesy of Korean Beauty Brand - SCINIC

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, Aloe Leaf, Madecassoside and Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract

Stylevana Review: SCINIC’s The Simple Collection gives such a great first impression and confidence for first time users because 1) the whole skincare collection is vegan, and 2) it has received the 2019 HwaHae Beauty Award and great reviews by Allure. What attracts me the most about this Korean face toner is its simple formula: scentless, lightweight, and non-irritating. For someone who struggles with sensitive skin or has highly reactive skin, SCINIC’s The Simple Calming Toner delivers just the perfect calming treatment that my skin needs without any overstated skincare duties. It’s not over-packed with fancy, hard-hitting ingredients that might trigger sensitivity (which happens a lot), or cause any irritation to my skin like most non alcohol-free toners do. Besides, I just love when a skincare product stays true to its name—just SIMPLE.

Courtesy of Korean Beauty Brand - SCINIC

Best way to use the face toner? After the double cleansing skincare step, soak a cotton pad with SCINIC’s The Simple Calming Toner and gently swipe it over your entire face and neck. On days when your sensitive skin starts acting up, try a 3-minute toner mask and let the face toner sit on your irritated skin while it works its way to calm your skin down.

Explore SCINIC’s The Simple Collection

Face Essence

The subtle difference between a face toner and a face essence is that a face essence has a more concentrated ingredient base which is usually packed full of nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants that mainly helps with hydration + one or multiple skincare needs based on your skin type and skin condition. For a SCINIC skincare routine, you should apply the SCINIC First Treatment Essence after the SCINIC’s The Simple Calming Toner to achieve the best glass skin complexion. .

Courtesy of Korean Beauty Brand - SCINIC

Key Ingredients: Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Niacinamide, Adenosine, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Rubus Coreanus Fruit Extract, and Sea Water

Stylevana Review: Having niacinamide on the ingredient list is the first sign to tell that this First Treatment Essence is going to be the hardest worker in the skincare routine. ICYMI, niacinamide is a multi-functional ingredient that provides anti-aging benefits, combats dark spots, strengthens skin barrier, and improves skin conditions like acne and rosacea. Not to mention the high concentration of galactomyces which is a wonderful fermented ingredient and antioxidant to boost cell turnover and make your skin look more refined and smoother. This face essence is also an ideal skincare product for someone who has oily skin type and suffers from huge pores and blackheads, as well as those who have sensitive skin, because it’s a scentless and colorless solution that is free from parabens, artificial colors, silicone, ethanol, mineral oil and benzophenone.

Best way to use the face essence? Pour a proper amount of the SCINIC First Treatment Essence into your palm or use a cotton pad, and gently pat your skin for better absorption.

Explore SCINIC’s First Treatment Collection

Is it just me or is your skin also getting thirsty to drink up these SCINC face care solutions? Refine your 10-step Korean skincare routine with these SCINIC skincare products because your skin deserves the best skin treatments after all. The good news is, all SCINIC items are 10% OFF now so start stocking up on SCINIC’s The Simple Calming Toner and First Treatment Essence!