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A Limited-Edition 

from Saro de Rúe & Gothamista

Essence is unlike any other essence. 


Simplify your routine with this essential multitasking skin powerhouse that provides 

the benefits of a hydrating toner and serum in one. 


We used ancient techniques, rare ingredients, and innovative science to create 

this unique formula that leaves you with hydrated, bouncy, radiant skin.


Mimi Kim, founder of Saro de Rúe & 

Renée Chow @Gothamista

Crafted by Women

Mimi Kim & Renée Chow worked together to craft their dream formula 

with enhanced black ginseng and Hanbang Medicinal Herbs to create the limited edition Essence. 

Hydrated Skin

Strengthened Skin Barrier

Brighter Skin

Reduced Wrinkles

"Simplifying the everyday beauty routine was essential to Renée and I, and 

my goal was to pack the formula with highly potent, and multitasking ingredients 

to create a product that truly does it all." 

— Mimi Kim

Essence is the skincare essential your skin's been waiting for. 


With the benefits of a hydrating toner and serum in one, this enriched formula quickly absorbs, leaving skin feeling fresh, radiant, healthy.


Essence is created for every skin type, every age, gender, skin type and skin condition. 

  • Benefits
  • Ingredients
  • Directions

BENEFITS

Skin Immunity Boosting

Well-Aging

Wrinkle Reducing

Brightening

Hydrating

Skin Barrier Protection

Key Ingredients

62% Black Ginseng Water

6 Kinds of Hanbang - traditional Korean Medicinal Herbs 

4% Niacinamide

Upcycled Red Ginseng Extract

Upcycled Goji Berry Stem and Fruit Extract

Upcycled Avocado Peptide

3 Lipids: Ceramides, Cholesterol, Fatty Acid

2 NMF: Sodium PCA & Zinc PCA


Full Ingredient List

Panax Ginseng Root Water (62%), Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide (4%), Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium PCA, Hydroxyethylcellose, Propanediol, Lycium Chinese Stem Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Lycium Chinese Fruit Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melisa Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Scrophularia Buergeriana Root Extract (50ppm), Panax Ginseng Root Extract (50ppm), Betaine, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Zinc PCA, Maltodextrin, Persea Gratissimia (Avocado) Fruit Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Ceramide NP, Ceramids NS, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Ceramide AS, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP

Directions

1. After cleansing apply ample amount to palm of hand

2. Massage onto face & neck in an upward motion

3. Wait until fully absorbed

4. Follow with moisturizer

Not Your Average Essence


Essence fuses ancient Chinese Medicine practices and techniques, with modern science for the perfect blend of East meets West skincare. 


A holistic approach combined with innovative science to create a product that produces game-changing results, while being gentle on your skin and the planet. 


This essence is unlike any other. 

Crafted using the rarest, most potent ingredients, 

ancient Korean techniques, and hanbang herbs.

Enhanced Black Ginseng
The foundation of our Essence is Black Ginseng, a treasured Korean medicinal herb 
used for centuries for its power to heal, regenerate and enliven. 
The intense technique used to create it plus its powerful properties make 
Black Ginseng one of the most celebrated ingredients in Korean skincare.  
Ancient Techniques
Our 'Tang Yoon' Percolation Technology mimics 
the traditional extraction method 
for medicinal herbs, which has been used 
in Korea for thousands of years
and results in a 10-fold higher concentration.
Sustainable 
Our formula includes upcycled botanical, which help us to reduce waste, 
minimize our energy use and lessen our footprint on the planet. 
Hanbang
Hanbang (or Traditional Korean Medicine) that has been passed 
on for thousands of years. 
The Hanbang approach to medicine looks deeply into the root causes of surface-level issues 
and restores balance via traditional Korean medicinal herbs. 

What Makes Black Ginseng Special

 Black Ginseng includes the most powerful ginsenosides, 1.5 times more polyphenols, and 5 times more flavonoids, making it far more functional and superior to White Ginseng or Red Ginseng.

Benefits of Black Ginseng

Black Ginseng is known for it's multi-faceted benefits that brighten, reduce puffiness, promote collagen production and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. It also has strong anti-inflammatory properties, which help soothe and calm the skin.

Our Unique Process

Gu-jeung-gu-po

Black Ginseng is produced through a process called Gu-jeung-gu-po. This consists of repeatedly steaming and drying white ginseng more than nine times, which usually takes about 50 days. This process maximizes the active ingredients of Polyphenol, Flavonoid, and Ginsenoside, turning the originally white ginseng into a dark black color.


Tang Yoon Percolation

Our patented 'Tang Yoon' Percolation Technology mimics the traditional extraction method for medicinal herbs. The extraction process is repeated 300 times in 72 hours, which results in a 10-fold higher concentration of Ginseng compared to regular forms of extraction. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an essence?

An essence is one of the most essential and powerful steps in your skincare routine since it treats skin on a cellular level. Essences are  concentrated formulas that deeply hydrate skin, while also reducing wrinkles and fine lines, and improving dull and uneven skin tones. They typically have a lightweight, watery consistency that quickly absorbs into skin, leaving it brighter, smoother, and rejuvenated.  

When do I use Essence in my routine?

We recommend using Essence in both the morning and evening, right after cleansing. Follow up with a moisturizer to seal it in.

Does Essence replace my other products?

Essence can replace both your toner and serum for a minimal routine. However, it works well with any and all products.

What are the benefits when using Essence?

  1. Hydration
  2. Reduced fine lines and wrinkles
  3. Brightening
  4. Skin barrier protection
  5. Strengthened skin immunity

What's so special about our Black Ginseng?

 Black Ginseng includes the most powerful ginsenosides, 1.5 times more polyphenols, and 5 times more flavonoids, making it far more functional and superior than White Ginseng or Red Ginseng.


In order to make Black Ginseng, it has to go through an intensive process  called Gu-jeung-gu-po, which consists of repeatedly steaming and drying white ginseng more than nine times over 50 days.  This process maximizes the active ingredients of Polyphenol, Flavonoid, and Ginsenoside, turning the originally white ginseng into a dark black color.

It then goes through our patented  'Tang Yoon' Percolation Technology, which mimics the traditional extraction method for medicinal herbs. The extraction process is repeated 300 times in 72 hours, which results in a 10-fold higher concentration of Ginseng compared to regular forms of extraction. 
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