By now, we’re pretty well acquainted with the myriad of facial essences that are readily available in the market. There are those that boast hydrating properties, and some that brighten up your skin in no time. However, there are only a few that offer the best of both worlds. If you’re still wondering about which essence we’re talking about, it’s the L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Crystal Micro-Essence.

In this era where wearing masks is a daily necessity, our skin may face experience breakouts, the appearance of blackheads and whiteheads, as well as get increasingly dull-looking. Besides, for those who are still working from home, we find that skincare has become increasingly important because naturally, good skin is more important than makeup.

Although it may seem like a tough feat to achieve skin that’s crystal clear — including improving skin radiance, smoothness, glow, hydration and less redness — it’s not impossible. And so, this brings me to the L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Crystal Micro-Essence that’s been the talk of the town as of late. With so much hype surrounding the product, I was immediately drawn to find out if it really did work given how affordable it was — it’s selling for less than $40! So if you’re curious as to how it fared on my skin, read on.

THE PRODUCT

Known as the number one essence of L’Oreal Paris, the Revitalift Crystal Micro-Essence claims to deliver crystal clear skin in 7 days by penetrating up to 10 skin layers, allowing maximum efficacy. Clear and brighter skin in a week? Sounds too good to be true, but I was definitely up for the challenge.

Some of the benefits that the product promises include:

— Brightening and smoothening skin
— Refining skin texture
— Refining and minimising the appearance of pores
— Increasing skin’s moisture
— And controlling excess sebum production

Now that we’ve got that covered, you would question if the essence water really did live up to all of the said benefits considering its below-$40 price tag. Well, before taking a dive into my review, it’d be best if we zoomed in on its key ingredient.

KEY INGREDIENT

This high-end delivery system houses LHA, a derivative of salicylic acid — the key ingredient in the formula. If you’re well-versed with this iconic acid, you’d know that it’s one of the key players at keeping pimples at bay. But how do you reap the benefits of this acid to clear your skin?

Basically, the LHA works in a similar way to salicylic acid, of which it lifts dead skin cells off the surface of the skin — making your pores less likely to become clogged and form new spots.

APPLICATION

Okay, it may seem like a total no-brainer, but there are a few things to note when it comes to applying this L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Crystal Micro-Essence. Unlike toners which are commonly used to balance your skin’s pH, an essence like this works to prepare your skin for the rest of your routine while removing any other impurities left on the skin. You can apply the essence water by patting it on with your hands or opt for the most recommended method of application which is with a cotton pad.

PRO TIP: You can also soak your cotton pads with the essence and apply it on areas of your concern such as the T-zone.

All you need to do is to apply 8 to 10 drops of the essence to your cotton pad and gently apply it onto your face and neck. The difference with this method is that it doesn’t just nourish your skin, but it also works to gently exfoliate it at the same time. Use it twice a day — morning and night — after cleansing your face and before applying your moisturiser and sunscreen.

REVIEW

Excited to put the L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Crystal Micro-Essence to test, I started my 7-Day trial by religiously incorporating the essence water into my morning and night skincare routine. At the same time, I also made sure that I didn’t add or remove any product from my daily routine to keep the results consistent. However, it’s also important to note that halfway through my trial period, I was also experiencing hormonal breakouts as it was that time of the month as well.

During the course of the trial, I applied it with a cotton pad and I noticed that it was really efficient in removing impurities and leftover makeover even after cleansing my skin.

Because I’m always staying up till late from watching a string of videos, be it on Facebook or YouTube, my skin lacked the radiance that I once had. On Day 3, you could also tell that I was starting to experience hormonal breakouts on my cheeks.

However, at the end of the 7-day period, I realised upon comparing the photos, that my skin got a lot better in terms of the breakouts I had and the radiance and vitality that was restored back to my skin. What I liked most about the essence was that it really helped to soothe and calm the inflammation of my pimples thanks to the salicylic acid in its formula. It’s also a great way to thoroughly exfoliate and remove any impurities and gunk that was left on my skin — especially when I used it for my nightly skincare regime.

As for the smell, the essence had a pleasant and bright floral fragrance to it that was subtle enough and not too overpowering. After applying it, it also felt really nice to the touch as it gave a soft dewy sheen that doesn’t look or feel oily on the skin and it’s really lightweight — it didn’t feel like I had anything on my skin.

OVERALL VERDICT

At $35.90, the L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Crystal Micro-Essence is a great affordable option that doesn’t break the bank and is perfect for those who are new to essence waters. That said, I’m convinced that the inclusion of the salicylic acid really did do its job in penetrating deep into the layers of the skin to remove impurities and unclog pores at the same time. From my experience, it really did help soothe inflammation of my breakouts and cleared my skin up after using it religiously for 7 days. Now you may not expect any immediate change to your skin after using it for a day, but if you keep to your routine and apply it everyday, you will eventually start to notice the difference that it has on your skin.

To top it all off, I would say it’s a bang for the buck for those who are looking to restore radiance back to your skin while hydrating it at the same time. Especially for the price you’re paying, I would definitely recommend giving this essence a try, whether you’re a newbie or a skincare aficionado.

The L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Crystal Micro-Essence ($35.90; 130ml and $22.90; 65ml) is now available at Watsons, Guardian, shopee and lazada.