Skip to content
Free delivery on all orders over R750
Click Here
Chat with qualified skin therapists
Click Here
Free samples with every order
Click Here
Explore free gifts & promotions
Click Here
Hello 👋
Shop by Product Type

Shop All

Ampoules
Baby
Barrier Creams
BB & CC Creams
Body
Cleansers
Day Creams
Essences
Exfoliators
Eye Care
Foot Treatments
Foundation
Gift Vouchers
Haircare
Hand & Nail
Masks
Men
Micellar Waters
Moisturisers
Neck Creams
Night Creams
Oils
Oral Care
Serums
Starter Kits
Sunscreens
Supplements
Targeted Treatments
Toners
Tools & Devices
Shop by Brand

Shop All

Melumé Skinscience
SkinCeuticals
Dr. Barbara Sturm
Huxley
NeoStrata®
Heliocare
Beaut™
Jorgobé
MartiDerm
Lamelle
iS Clinical
Hyaestic
PCA Skin
pHformula
ZO Skin Health
Kiehl's
mesoestetic
Obagi
La Roche-Posay
CeraVe
Exuviance
FEEV
Shop by Concern
Actinic Keratosis
Adult Acne
Atopic Eczema
Blackheads
Expression Lines
Eyelash & Eyebrow
Keratosis Pilaris
Lips
Perioral Dermatitis
Post-Acne Marks
Post-Treatment
Pregnancy
Psoriasis
Redness
Scars
Seborrhoeic Dermatitis
Stretch Marks
Shop by Science

Shop All

Retinoids
Vitamin C
Hyaluronic Acid
Azelaic Acid
Glycolic Acid
Arbutin
Peptides
Gluconolactone
Extremozymes
Growth Factors
Ceramides
Centella Asiatica
Iron Oxide
Niacinamide
Kojic Acid
Co-enzyme Q10
Shop by Skin Type
Dark Marks
Dry & Sensitive
Early Ageing, Fine Lines
Mature, Sun Damaged
Normal or Combination
Oily, Acne-Prone
Red, Rosacea-Prone
Shop by Age
Teen
60+
50s
40s
30s
20s
My Account
  • Become a Member
  • Promotions
  • Skin Assessment
  • Video Consultations
  • Learn
  • Dr Ian Webster
  • Contact Us

Introducing Video Consultations

Hyper-personalised one-on-one product advice with a qualified skin therapist.
Book a Session
  • Sign-In
R0.00 0 Cart
Brands

Featured Brands

  • Biretix
  • Melumé Skinscience
  • SkinCeuticals
  • Dr. Barbara Sturm
  • Huxley
  • NeoStrata®
  • Heliocare
  • Beaut™
  • Jorgobé
  • MartiDerm
  • Lamelle
  • Dermanique
  • iS Clinical
  • Hyaestic
  • PCA Skin
  • pHformula
  • ZO Skin Health
  • Kiehl's
  • mesoestetic
  • Obagi
  • Geske
  • La Roche-Posay
  • CeraVe
  • Colorescience
  • Exuviance
  • Endocare
  • Aveeno
  • Avène
  • Bioderma
  • ISDIN

Shop All

Triple action invisible photo protection.

PHFORMULA PRO DEFENCE³
Skin Type

Skin Type

  • Mature, Sun Damaged
  • Normal or Combination
  • Dark Marks
  • Early Ageing, Fine Lines
  • Dry & Sensitive
  • Oily, Acne-Prone
  • Red, Rosacea-Prone

Shop All

  • Age
Teen
60+
50s
40s
30s
20s

Skin Concern

  • Stretch Marks
  • Eyelash & Eyebrow
  • Actinic Keratosis
  • Adult Acne
  • Post-Acne Marks
  • Expression Lines
  • Perioral Dermatitis
  • Keratosis Pilaris
  • Seborrhoeic Dermatitis
  • Lips
  • Blackheads
  • Atopic Eczema
  • Post-Treatment
  • Pregnancy
  • Psoriasis
  • Redness
  • Scars

Shop All

Promoting hair strength, volume & a gorgeous glossy look.

HUXLEY
Product Type

Product Type

  • Baby
  • Barrier Creams
  • Cleansers
  • Sunscreens
  • Serums
  • Day Creams
  • Essences
  • Exfoliators
  • Masks
  • Foundation
  • Oral Care
  • Night Creams
  • Starter Kits
  • Micellar Waters
  • Moisturisers
  • Neck Creams
  • Oils
  • Targeted Treatments
  • Toners
  • Tools & Devices
  • Supplements
  • Foot Treatments
  • Ampoules
  • Eye Care
  • BB & CC Creams
  • Body
  • Men
  • Gift Vouchers
  • Haircare
  • Hand & Nail

Shop All

Designed to mirror the structure of ceramides.

DERMANIQUE
Science

Key Ingredients

  • GMOD™ Complex
  • Retinoids
  • Vitamin C
  • Salicylic Acid
  • Growth Factors
  • Alpha-Hydroxy Acids
  • Centella Asiatica
  • Azelaic Acid
  • Glycolic Acid
  • Hyaluronic Acid
  • Melasyl™
  • Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA)
  • Prickly Pear Seed Oil
  • Peptides
  • Co-enzyme Q10
  • Oat Kernel Extract
  • Extremozymes
  • Niacinamide
  • Glutathione
  • Kojic Acid
  • Ceramides
  • Panthenol
  • Iron Oxide
  • Pycnogenol®
  • Gluconolactone
  • NeoGlucosamine
  • Arbutin
  • Copper Tripeptides
  • Avocado
  • Sodium PCA

Shop All

Arbutin helps to treat all forms hyperpigmentation.

READ THE BLOG
Promotions
Skin Assessment
Learn
Podcast
Dr Ian Webster
Picture of Dr Ian Webster

Dr Ian Webster

How to Incorporate Essences into your Routine

  • March 27, 2024
  • Learn, Top Product Picks

Essences are water-like fluids and they provide the perfect base for efficient delivery methods of serums and moisturisers to follow. They are generally used post-cleansing and pre-moisturising. If you are going to use both a serum and an essence, you would usually apply it before a serum but this depends on their consistency. The lighter formulation should always go on first.

In our experience, Essences differ from serums in that they promote hydration as the primary user benefit. Like many serums, Essences can also contain ingredients that target specific concerns, but they are usually designed to first and foremost hydrate the skin (post-cleansing/toning) and secondly to address additional concerns with other ingredients.

Serums on the other hand, (barring pure Hyaluronic Acid serums) are usually positioned to target a specifically indicated concern as the primary user benefit, be it for acne, ageing or pigmentation.

Treatment tips that can help you to incorporate essences into your routine

  • Use essences on freshly cleansed skin
  • A little goes a long way with essences so start with a small amount and gradually increase if needed
  • Gently pat the essence into your skin with your fingertips to aid the absorption
  • Choose an essence that targets your specific skincare concerns, such as hydration, brightening, or anti-ageing, to address your unique needs
  • Essences can be used both in the morning and evening
  • Store your essence in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight

Skincare ingredients found in essences

  • Niacinamide
  • Prickly Pear Seed Oil
  • Glutathione
  • Bisabolol
  • Probiotic Lysate
  • Bifida Ferment Lysate
  • Squalane
  • Ferulic Acid
  • Panthenol
  • Salicylic Acid
  • Zinc PCA

Essences suitable for different skin types

Dark Marks:

When using essences for dark marks, consistency is essential. Results may take time, and it’s crucial to use the product as directed and incorporate it into a comprehensive skincare routine that includes sunscreen and other products targeted at dark marks. Dr Webster recommends:

  • Huxley Brightly Ever After Essence

Dry & Sensitive:

Essences have a watery, lightweight texture that allows them to provide an extra layer of hydration without feeling heavy or greasy on the skin. This is especially beneficial for dry skin, as it helps to replenish moisture without overwhelming the skin. Dr Webster recommends:

  • Huxley Oil Essence

Early Ageing, Fine Lines:

The lightweight texture of essences allows them to penetrate deeply into the skin, reaching the lower layers where they can have a more significant impact on collagen synthesis and cellular renewal. Dr Webster recommends:

  • Lamelle Skin Essence Rejuvenate

Mature, Sun Damaged:

Essences are particularly beneficial for mature and sun-damaged skin due to their potent hydrating, anti-ageing, and reparative properties. Dr Webster recommends:

  • Lamelle Skin Essence Corrector

Normal or Combination:

For combination skin, essences can help balance the skin’s moisture levels in different areas. They provide hydration to drier parts of the face while not overburdening oilier areas. Dr Webster recommends:

  • Huxley Conditioning Essence Toner

Oily, Acne-Prone:

Essences provide hydration without adding heaviness or excess oil to the skin. They are perfect for oily skin as they offer moisture without clogging pores or exacerbating acne. Dr Webster recommends:

  • Lamelle Skin Essence Clear

THE DERMASTORE® NEWSLETTER

Get Dermatologist-authored articles directly in your inbox.

Share this post

Facebook
LinkedIn
Print
Email
Shop by Top Range
  • SkinCeuticals
  • NeoStrata
  • MartiDerm
  • Huxley
  • Lamelle
  • pHformula
  • Melumé
  • ZO Skin Health
Customer Experience
  • Help Center
  • Become a Member
  • Video Consultations
  • Newsletter
  • Rx Products
  • DermaPoints Loyalty
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Clinical Studies
  • Gift Vouchers
About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Our Brands
  • Our Story
  • Podcast
  • Google Reviews
  • Distribution

Specialist online skincare store backed by a leading Dermatologist.

Facebook-f Instagram Spotify Apple

© Dermastore® 2025 All Rights Reserved

Rx

Dermastore® Rx labelled products require registration and a quick once-off multiple choice assessment.

Get Started

Learn more about Rx labelled products.

Already a member?

Login