Review of the new REN Perfect Canvas Smooth, Prep & Plump Essence.
The latest launch from REN skincare is the incredible Perfect Canvas Smooth, Prep & Plump Essence : a bio-ferment essence that is proven to boost the benefits of our skincare routine and help strengthen the skin barrier. I absolutely love this product and use it regularly and I’m going to chat all about it below, but first I think it may be useful to chat all things ‘essences’ as I know so many people get confused about where and when to apply it, if it’s a toner, what they do and if you need one. Hopefully I can answer all these questions!
What is a Skin Essence?
Lots of brands are launching these essences and pre-skincare lotions at the moment so WHAT is an essence, is it different to a toner and do you need it in your routine? We have seen popularity of essences here in recent years which has been heavily influenced by the Korean skincare trends.
Skin essences are essentially primers for your moisturisers which have other benefits to the skin (which can be hydrating, soothing, brightening depending on the type of essence you choose!). They are like a lighter weight serum which will enhance your skincare routine.
Essence vs toners/tonics.
Similar but not quite the same. In simple terms, a toner is to CLEANSE AND TONE and an essence is to TREAT. In threory you can use both in your skincare routine if you wish and depending on your skin’s needs.
There are now many types of toners/tonics and they aren’t all that stripping formula that we all may remember from the 80’s and 90’s! They have so many incredible and gentle toners on the market so do your research and shop around. I love a toner/tonic to simply revitalise and refresh my skin in the morning. Particularly good if you have your shower/wash your face at say…7am and then get around to doing your skincare routine a little later on – it’s a perfect thing to refresh and revitalise the skin. I also will reach for a toner/tonic if I have done my skincare in the morning and it’s now lunchtime and I’m finally leaving the house and doing my makeup ; I like to refresh my skin and skincare by this point so I will usually swipe over a tonic and re-hydrate before makeup. My favourite toner/ tonic is probably the Liz Earle Skin Boost Tonic which is a really lovely refreshing and soothing water (no alcohol!).
When do you use a skin essence in your skincare routine?
If you want the full she-bang routine :
Cleanse > Toner > Essence > Eye Cream > Serum > Moisturiser > SPF
REN Perfect Canvas Smooth, Prep & Plump Essence Review.
I absolutely love the REN Perfect Canvas Smooth, Prep & Plump Essence and am using it pretty much every day, particularly when my skin needs that extra boost. It’s a lovely thick water texture – richer than a toner and lighter than a serum. I apply it after cleansing and usually it’s my first step of my skincare routine (unless I’m being extra boujee and using a toner/tonic).
My normal routine will be Cleanse > Essence > Eye Cream > Serum > Moisturiser > SPF and done.
The REN Perfect Canvas Smooth, Prep & Plump Essence essentially boosts your skincare routine and makes it all work a little harder for you. It strengthens the skincare barrier, increases hydration levels and leaves skin instantly feeling plump and smooth. It can be used both AM and PM and you need just 3 drops or so for all over the face. You can just pour it and control it pretty well straight from the bottle. The texture I have shown in the below photos so you can see it’s like a very watery serum.
The REN Perfect Canvas Smooth, Prep & Plump Essence is packaged in a glass bottle with a plastic cap which can be recycled. It costs £43 for 100ml. I have only been using it for maybe a month and a small amount is really going a long way. I’m going to wildy guesstimate that one bottle may last you 4-6 months depending on how often you use it. I mainly use it in the AM / 4-5 times a week.
Key Ingredients :
It is made with a trio of post biotic bio-ferments and antioxidants which work to optimise absorption of the skincare you use over it.
Bio-Fermented Microbial Extract : hydration, brightens and reduces redness
Bio-Fermented Hyaluronic Acid : strengthen the skin barrier and smooths/plumps
Marrubium Extract : protects against pollutants
Niacinimide : brightens and evens skin tone
Full Ingredients :
Aqua (Water), Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Sodium Gluconate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin , Sodium Polyglutamate, Parfum, Citric Acid, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Polyglyceryl 6 Oleate, Bacillus Ferment, Sodium Surfactin.
Do you need the REN Essence in your life?!
Honestly every single person would benefit from this added into their skincare routine! 100%. It’s gentle, effective and boosts your skincare regime. You can use it alongside an acid exfoliating lotion if you wish (sometimes I use the REN Ready, Steady, Glow AHA tonic before this) or you can alternate. It’s so quick and easy to use and it absorbs in so quickly that it really doesn’t give me any faff or make me feel like my skincare routine is taking any longer.
You can shop the The REN Perfect Canvas Smooth, Prep & Plump Essence HERE and it is £43 for 100ml. This should last you many months, as I’ve been using mine daily and it’s barely put a dent in the bottle as you need such a small amount. Any questions – please do ask!
