Review: Belif Hungarian Water Essence

I got this essence in Belif’s Bestsellers On-The-Go kit from Sephora, which is basically a skincare routine in miniature. It has a cleanser, toner, essence, eye cream, and moisturizer, all for $20. The samples are small (they’re all the deluxe sample sizes that you can get for 100 point perks) but if you want to try out a multi-step routine without committing to buying full-size products, this is a convenient set from a consistently good brand.

Now, on to the essence specifically. The claim on Sephora.com is that this is an “instant, lightweight hydration recharger serum that is powerfully effective for deep, lasting hydration”. I definitely wouldn’t consider this a serum, but I do agree with the rest of the claims listed here.

This serum is JAM PACKED with herbal extracts. I would list them all out for you, but you’d get bored after reading the third Portulaca Oleracea Extract. I lost count of the extracts somewhere around 15. The point is, it’s good stuff, filled with stuff that’s good for you.

I used this as an essence step, after toner and before serum, and I have to say, I’m pretty impressed with how much of a difference it made in my skin.

The texture of this essence is very close to water; it’s completely clear and very liquidy. It also didn’t have a fragrance, at least, not that I could tell. The texture made it absorb into my skin very quickly which I really appreciate; there’s nothing worse than waiting around for your skincare to sink in when you’ve hit the snooze button multiple times 😐

Because the texture was so light I didn’t have high hopes for it. I mean, it felt like water, so what could it really be doing that would make it be worth $42? The answer: making my skin feel SO SOFT and hydrated all day long. That’s what.

I still can’t believe how much of a difference it made. Once this essence was absorbed into my skin it didn’t feel like anything was there. No tackiness, no residue, no fragrance. And, despite seeming to disappear on application, it made some pretty dramatic improvements in terms of keeping my skin hydrated and feeling softer.

I suspect this would work very well for people with combination or oily skin as well, because the texture is just so light, and the hydration it adds comes in the form of softer skin, instead of additional oil.

The packaging for this essence is fine; it’s nothing spectacular but perfectly functional. Like other Belif products, this essence lists some of its claims on the front of the bottle in a simple, dermatology-focused way.

The only downside to this essence is the cost. A full size bottle (75ml) is $42, which is on the pricey side for a single step in a routine. But this essence has a lot going for it; it absorbs quickly which saves me time, it keeps my skin hydrated all day long without adding extra steps like face oils, and it gives me significant results.

I tend to cringe a little if I spend over $30 on a single item, and become much more critical of the product so I can really evaluate if it’s worth the extra cost. This Belif Hungarian Water Essence is definitely worth the extra cost to me.

Disclaimers: I purchased this product 100% myself. This post contains no affiliate links.