A few weeks back, I shared with you a selection of high-end and low-end hydrating serums that I’d personally tried and liked. One of them was this Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Essence (I’ll call it the Hada Labo Hydrating Essence for short) and I’ve gotten a few queries about it (possibly because it’s pretty affordable) that I thought I better give it its own post.
Like the famed Hada Labo SHA Lotion, this Hada Labo Hydrating Essence focuses on hydration and has 4 types of hyaluronic acid in there, to attract and retain moisture in skin. Most of us will be familiar by now with the properties of hyaluronic acid, which is widely used in most skincare products these days, due to its moisture retaining properties. What this does for our skin is to plump it up, keep it hydrated and make it look better.
But what then is this Hydrating Essence and how does it fit into your skincare regimen?
The code word (for me) is Essence. Whenever I see the word “essence” in Asian skincare, it usually translates to “serum”. It’s a general rule of thumb that hasn’t failed me yet!
What this is therefore, is a hydrating serum that you can incorporate into your skincare regimen, to boost your skin’s moisture levels, which correspondingly, better helps your skin absorb other products that you put on it. I like to think of it like a sponge.
If your skin was a sponge, this would be the water that dampens the sponge. It might interest you to know that a damp sponge or cloth absorbs water better than a dry sponge or cloth. If you did any housework, you’d know this LOL! 😀 If you’ve ever had to mop up a mess, a dry piece of cloth does practically nothing. A damp cloth however, soaks up spills and cleans up messes so much more easily.
As for the Hada Labo Hydrating Essence, I find that what it does is hydrate my skin, and prep my skin to receive whatever else serums or moisturisers I choose to apply on top.
The serum comes in a glass bottle, with a glass dropper. There is no instruction on how much product you should be using, which bums me, because I like having some form of direction…. before I go around breaking the rules 😛 For me therefore, there was a period of adjustment, where I went from using a full dropper, to just a few drops.
The happy medium for me now is approximately 3-4 drops in the palm of my hand and then smoothed over my skin. Some people might feel that this is sufficient, and that you won’t need to apply anything else over. That’s where you are wrong.
As the purpose of hyaluronic acid is to attract moisture, it would only follow therefore that there must be some moisture for the product to attract. So, a layer of moisturiser over it usually does the trick, if you don’t use any other serums. This Hydrating Essence does the job of a hydration serum, and it’s my personal view that everyone should use one to keep your skin plumped, moisturised and looking better – which you want to use, that’s your choice!
Does this product work? Yes it does. I like using it, it doesn’t break the bank, and although it does not give me the same WOW-factor as my favourite hydrating serum, it does a pretty decent job. Can’t ask for more, really! 😀
IN A NUTSHELL
The Hada Labo Hydrating Essence is a hydrating serum product that helps boost the moisture level in skin. This plumps up skin, smooths over dry and dehydrated parts of the face and keeps skin looking plumped and glowy the way only healthy skin can look. It’s affordable, and effective and absolutely worth trying! Do note however, that it’s sole target concern is hydration, so you will still need an anti-aging serum over this, if that is another concern of yours. I usually use 2 serums.
USE: Cleanser -> Toner/lotion -> Mist (if using) -> Hada Labo Hydrating Essence -> Serum -> Moisturiser
PROS: Affordable, Lightweight texture, Absorbs quickly into skin with no greasy or sticky after feel, Hydrates and keeps skin feeling and looking hydrated
CONS: Nothing much
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who wants to try a hydrating serum, Anyone who has concerns about dehydrated or dry skin
PRICE: RM74/30ml
AVAILABILITY: Most major pharmacies where Hada Labo is sold
If you’re interested, here is the ingredient list:-
Water, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Glycerin/Water/Glyceryl Polyacrylate/Methylparaben/Propylparaben, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract/Water/Glycerin/PEG-8/Carbomer, Lippia Citriodora Leaf Extract/Citric Acid/Potassium Sorbate/Sodium Benzoate, Cyclopentasiloxane/Dimethicone Crosspolymer/Dimethicone/Laureth-23/Laureth-4, Glycerin/Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer/Propylene Glycol/PVM/MA Copolymer, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Methylparaben, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Sclerotium Gum/Water/Phenoxyethanol, Water/Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract/Phenoxyethanol/Methylparaben/Butylparaben/Ethylparaben/Propylparaben/Isobutylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzotriazolyl/Butylphenol Sulfonate/Buteth-3/Tributyl Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Water/Potassium PCA/Opuntia Ficus Indica Stem Extract/Phenoxyethanol/Potassium Sorbate, Glycerin/Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate (Super HA), Sodium Hyaluronate (Medium-size HA), Sodium Hyaluronate (Nano HA), Sodium Hyaluronate (Large-size HA)
Hada Labo SHA Lotion vs Hada Labo Hydrating Essence
Which do you pick? I’ve been asked this question too. My answer, if you’re using the Lotion, is both. They are essentially different products. The Hada Labo SHA Lotion is a lotion (toner) while this is a serum. So, you’d use this AFTER the lotion and according to Hada Labo, this increases the moisture level of your skin and keeps it staying moisturised and hydrated for longer. If you don’t use the Lotion (I haven’t in many years) then be like me and just use this Hydrating Essence in conjunction with your other products. You just have to know which stage of your skincare routine to slot it in 🙂
Have you tried this Hada Labo Hydrating Essence? Like it?
I generally have no problems with most Hada Labo products, especially from their Super Hyaluronic Acid range but I’m pretty ambivalent about most of the other products. This one however, I can safely say is absolutely worth trying because it’s pretty effective. The affordable price tag helps too! 🙂
Paris B
Sounds like an awesome product! I’m currently using Biotherm Life Plankton Essence and even though it really does give difference to my skin, the price makes my eyes want to jump out of their sockets like in cartoons LOL.
This Hada Labo might be able to be a cheaper alternative to use daily twice and I can use Biotherm two – three times a week together with its mask 🙂 I like all the pros you listed. Though the part about it in glass container worries me as I always accidentally knock things over haha.
A side note: essence is a MUST if you want to actually see result of using other products to treat your skin – I’ve learned my lesson 😛 Ok, maybe not a must but I agree with you on how it helps to prep the skin better to absorb other products like serum and moisturizer. I started to use mine regularly since two, three weeks ago (maybe coz I was inspired by a certain someone’s IG :P) and then I noticed my skin looks better especially the acne scars getting heal faster 😀
I always thought toner is enough but essence is like a miracle!
I liked the Biotherm one, but the smell! Ugh 🙁 Oh and the price too of course LOL! This Hada Labo one is really good, and if you can handle the glass bottle of the Biotherm essence, you can handle this one! 😀 You are absolutely right about essences and serums being a must have in any skin care routine. I can skimp on anything, but never on serums and essences. They truly are a game changer!
This came at the right time! I just ran out of my Sukin Facial Recovery serum so will be giving this a go! Thanks, Paris!
It might serve different needs, though Izyan (I haven’t used the Sukin one, but left to me, I’d use this essence and then layer the Sukin on top!) but I hope this will work for you. I saw it was on offer recently!
shall give this a try next round…but i find some of Hada Labo item can be pricey for being a drug store…..mayb they are more mid tier range….but i do like hada labo facial foam for sensitive skin….currently im using indeed lab serum mayb I’ll try this next round….
I have noticed that the prices have gone up, but for the quality we get, I’m not complaining too much. As opposed to some other brands that are just as pricey but are quite literally crap! LOL! I can’t use the foam as its too drying, but give this a go next time. I think Indeed Labs is actually even pricier! 😀
Hada Labo now has a premium HA lotion that has even more forms of HA. Bloggers say it’s a huge, noticeable improvement compared to the original. Have you tried it? I personally prefer the Shirojyun moist lotion for its added Vit C
I came across the HL Premium lotion online and I checked with the local PR people. Am told it’s expected later this year so I haven’t tried it, but I’m definitely dying to! 😀
I’m on my second bottle together with SHA and it does help my skin look better.
Thanks Paris for sharing this affordable essence.
Most welcome! Glad you enjoy using this too. I’m almost at the end of mine!
I like this too! And I use as much as I would the EL ANR. I used it up rather quickly. That said, I should get another bottle 🙂
I saw it was on sale recently! That’s the consolation using affordable skincare – often, they can get even more affordable!
I’ve been using this essence too and I can say that I agree with you on its effectiveness 🙂 my skin feels better with it on and I think it is worth buying. Love reading your thoughts on this product ^_^
Thanks Mieza and glad to know you are a fan of it too! Always a nice thing discovering some affordable gems 🙂
Hi Paris,
Thank you for the great review 🙂
However, I am curious about one thing. You did mention that this and the Ren serum are incredibly effective in plumping up skin. I find that serums are effective in that way too, but for me, my skin is only “naked” for about 10 minutes in a day, which is in the morning. After a cleanse, i slather it with serums and creams, also at night. So, i am wondering if we will ever know if our skin is truly fixed, do you get what i mean? 🙂 since our skin is always enhanced by creams and serums.
I guess we will only know if we left it bare for a week or two? 😉
Hi YC I hear you and if I’m to be honest, skincare is an ongoing process, so it’s not really possible to use a product to fix your skin problems, unless it’s something like skincare for treating problems e.g. acne, uneven skintone etc. I think sometimes it depends on your age. At my age, I do notice the drop in moisture levels in my skin more significantly than I did say 10-15 years ago. Back then, I’d be happy with just using a serum, which as you’ve mentioned, does have a skin plumping effect as well, as most serums these days will contain hyaluronic acid. However, what these hydrating serums do is plump the skin first, so a serum that goes on top will absorb more easily, and in my mind, it doesn’t have to work as hard to plump AND treat the skin, if you know what I mean 🙂 So, for myself, yes when I stop using a particular type of product, it will show on my skin after a while. Inserting it back into my routine, makes it better. But because it’s an on-going process, as we continue to age and our skin changes everyday, what you’re doing is good practice. Once you care for your skin, it’s unlikely you’ll ever stop, enough to notice detrimental effects 🙂
After seeing this in your instagram’s skincare routine, I finally bought this since I couldn never go wrong with most of your recommendations, some of them were Shiseido’s Multi-defence UV Protector SPF50, Biore Perfect Cleansing Water, Hada Labo’s Mild Peeling Lotion and now this. Although I have combination and acne prone skin, hydration still my must-do to balance the sebum. My moisturizer seems to “cling” well to this essence, thanks for sharing this review 🙂
Whew! For a moment, my heart plummeted in case most of the recs didn’t work for you hehe! Thanks for letting me know that it’s helpful one way or another, and that this works for you. You are right about the moisturiser sticking to skin better – that’s the power of well hydrated skin! 🙂