Integrative & Alternative Medicine

How Bach's Anatomy May Have Handed Him Greatness

This story appears in the September 2019 issue of National Geographic magazine.

What's believed to be Bach's skeleton, photographed in 1895 by anatomist Wilhelm His. Andreas Otte examined the left hand, as too many bones are missing from the right hand.

Saxon State and University Library Dresden

It would seem that musical genius has many dimensions. In the case of composer Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), an anatomical endowment may have enhanced his virtuosity. In a study published in a German scientific journal, anatomist and musician Andreas Otte deduced that Bach—a gifted organist and harpsichordist—had an exceptional reach at the keyboard.

Using a photo of what historians believe to be Bach's skeleton, Otte calculated the hand's size—nearly 8½ inches from wrist to fingertips—and its reach, as much as 10¼ inches from thumb to last finger with the hand open wide. Using those measurements, Otte figured that Bach could play what's called a 12th: a position bridging 12 white keys. That reach is uncommon even today, when humans generally are larger than in Bach's time.

"We cannot judge exactly how relevant the span of the hand is for the art of a musician," Otte says. And he insists that his research not be interpreted as conditioning Bach's musical prowess on his reach: "That would be a sacrilege."

The Best Essences Of 2024 For Hydrated Skin, According To Dermatologists

If your face feels dry, rough or in need of an extra layer of hydration, you might benefit from an essence. This lightweight, water-based product helps hydrate and plump the skin, and might even combat concerns like acne and hyperpigmentation, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Ife J. Rodney. 

We talked to dermatologists about how ingredients and your specific skin type play a role in which essence you choose. Below, we highlighted expert-recommended and NBC Select staff-favorite essences, along with highly rated options that align with our experts' guidance. 

SKIP AHEAD The best essencesHow to shop for essencesHow often should you use an essence?

As you shop for an essence, our experts recommend considering the following factors to make sure it works for you and your skin type:

Ingredients: Since the purpose of an essence is to draw moisture to your skin, we included products with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides. Some options also include niacinamide to help target your specific skin care concerns. (More on ingredients below.) 

Price: The cost of incorporating an essence into your routine can vary. Our list includes both budget-friendly and higher-end options. Many of these essences also come in smaller, travel-sized versions, which is great if you want to try out the product before committing to the standard size, according to our experts. 

Below, we have compiled a list of expert-recommended essences, as well as highly rated options and NBC Select staff favorites that meet our dermatologists' guidance.

Best overall:Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

$13.00

$25.00

Amazon

$25.00

Ulta

$25.00

Target

What we like

Suitable for all skin types

Lightweight

Something to note

Nothing to note at this time

This essence is recommended by both Rodney and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Sheila Farhang because it's great for all skin types. One of its main ingredients is snail mucin, which adds moisture and addresses fine lines, according to experts in our guide to snail mucin. While you may think snail mucin would be thick and heavy, it's actually the opposite: the ingredient typically feels lightweight on the skin, says Rodney. 

Best for dry skin: Ilia The Base Face Milk 

$58.00

Sephora

$58.00

ILIA

$58.00

Nordstorm

What we like

Creamy consistency

Multi-functional

Soothing

You can use this multi-purpose essence on its own as a moisturizer or layer it underneath a cream for even more hydration. It works for all skin types, including sensitive, dry and acne-prone skin, according to the brand. "It feels incredibly soothing and lightweight, and soaks into my skin in seconds to the point where I can literally feel my skin drinking it," says NBC Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin, who has combination skin that leans drier when on certain medications. "It doesn't irritate my skin at all, and sometimes I use it multiple times a day to reduce dry patches when my skin is really rough," she says.

Best for sensitive skin: Peach & Lily Wild Dew Treatment Essence

$30.00

$39.00

Amazon

$39.00

Ulta

$39.00

Target

What we like

Good for eczema-prone skin

Evens tone and texture

Something to note

Nothing to note at this time

According to Peach & Lily, the brand behind some of our favorite Korean beauty products, this essence combines hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and glycerin to hydrate, soothe and firm the skin. Reviewers say the essence is non-greasy and fast-absorbing, and it leaves their skin feeling softer after applying it. This option, which has a 4.7-star average rating from over 1,100 reviews on Ulta, also has the National Eczema Association's Seal of Acceptance, which means it's suitable for sensitive skin. 

Best for hyperpigmentation: Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Essence

$59.00

Amazon

$59.00

Sephora

$59.00

Nordstorm

What we like

Evens out tone and texture

Brightens skin

Something to note

Higher price point

Natural orange scent

This Caudalie essence is great if you want a gentle formula that also helps combat dark spots, says Rodney. "This one has glycolic acid, which is an alpha hydroxy acid that helps turn over skin cells and specifically helps with dark spots and hyperpigmentation," she says. You can use this essence both day and night, and it has niacinamide to soothe redness and irritation, according to the brand.

Best for oily and acne-prone skin: Bioderma Essence Lotion

$22.99

Amazon

$22.99

Bioderma

What we like

Gently exfoliates the skin

Long-lasting hydration

Something to note

Added fragrance

May irritate sensitive skin

The Bioderma Essence Lotion is the perfect hybrid for those looking for moisture retention while also combating other concerns like uneven skin texture. It has salicylic acid to remove dead skin cells on oily or acne-prone skin, and niacinamide to soothe the skin and minimize irritation, says Farhang. 

Best toner and essence hybrid: Ma:nyo Panthetoin Essence Toner

$32.00

Amazon

$32.00

Ma:nyo

What we like

Suitable for all skin types

Long-lasting hydration

Something to note

Thicker than other options

NBC Select associate SEO reporter Ashley Morris, who has oily and acne-prone skin, considers this essence a staple in her morning skin care routine after receiving it from the brand to try out. The water-based formula has key hydrating ingredients including glycerin, hyaluronic acid, ceramides and more. "Once it's absorbed, it adds a light layer of moisture that holds up all day, even during the drier winter months," says Morris. "The texture is a bit thicker than other essences I use, so I like to press it into my skin first before my skin care products like serums and moisturizers."

Best multi-purpose essence: SKII Facial Treatment Essence   

$70.54

Amazon

$99.00

Bloomingdales

$99.00

Dermstore

What we like

Absorbs quickly

Reduces fine lines

Evens tone and texture

This essence comes recommended by Farhang because it's hydrating and suitable for most skin types. It uses Pitera, a proprietary ingredient that combines the benefits of ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. Because the essence combines the benefits of these ingredients, it helps even skin tone and texture, reduce the appearance of fine lines and combat dull skin, according to the brand. 

Best spray essence: Violette_FR Boum-Boum Milk

What we like

Spray formula

Creamy consistency

Reduces irritation

This formula combines the benefits of a toner, moisturizer and serum — it has the watery, lightweight texture of a toner but provides the same amount of hydration as a serum or a light moisturizer. It's a favorite of NBC Select editor Lindsay Schneider, who notices a difference in how moisturized her combination skin feels after using this essence both morning and night. The spray essence has fermented birch sap to calm irritated skin, squalane to moisturize and support the skin barrier, and olive leaf extract to even out skin texture, according to the brand. 

Essences are lightweight and help hydrate the skin and retain moisture, according to our experts. Depending on your skin type and concerns, our experts recommend looking at the ingredients and considering how your skin might benefit from them. You may want to consider an essence that includes one or more of the following: 

Emollients: Emollients like squalene and lipids (ceramides) help hydrate, soothe and soften the skin, according to our experts. These ingredients are especially great for dry skin types or if you're looking for overall hydration and skin barrier repair, says Farhang. 

Humectants: These ingredients, which include hyaluronic acid and glycerin, help attract moisture and water to the skin. Like emollients, humectants are great for dry to normal skin types.

Antioxidants: All skin types can benefit from incorporating antioxidants in their essence, so it depends on your skin care concern. You might also find antioxidants, including vitamin E and vitamin C that will help brighten and even your skin tone, which is great for those who want to combat discoloration or dull skin, according to our experts. 

Exfoliants: For oily skin types, you should look for exfoliating ingredients such as salicylic acid, tea tree oil or other chemical exfoliating acids, says Farhang. 

While other products like moisturizers and sunscreens are essentials in your skin care routine, using an essence isn't absolutely necessary, according to our experts. Since essences are generally mild and soothing, you can apply them daily, both morning and night, according to Rodney. You can also reapply your essence throughout the day if you notice your skin is feeling very dry or dull (like after a flight), says Farhang. 

How is an essence different from a toner?

Much like essences, toners are generally applied after cleansing to help prep the skin for future products in your routine, says Farhang. However, essences tend to be water-based and focus on hydrating the skin, while toners tend to be alcohol-based and act as another cleansing method. Toners are great for oily skin because they help control oils and balance the skin's pH levels, according to our experts. While essences focus on adding moisture back to the skin, toners might strip your skin of its natural oils, says Farhang.

How is an essence different from a serum?

Serums tend to be slightly thicker than essences and have a higher concentration of active ingredients, says Rodney. Serums also tend to be more expensive and come in smaller packaging, says Farhang. Since serums typically have a thicker formula, you should apply them after your essence and continue your skin care routine in order of thinnest to thickest consistencies, says Farhang.

When should you use an essence in your skin care routine?

Much like the rest of your skin care routine, you want to apply products from the most lightweight (thinnest) to the heaviest (thickest), according to Farhang. This means you'll want to apply your essence after cleansing but before your serums and moisturizers, according to our experts.

You can incorporate an essence into both your morning or nighttime routine. However, you'll want to check the ingredients and see if they're compatible with other actives because some combinations, like retinol and salicylic acid, are more likely to cause irritation, says Rodney.

What is the best way to apply an essence?

After cleansing your face, gently pat the skin dry to remove excess water. You don't want your face to be dripping with water, but you don't want it to dry completely. This is important because leaving a little bit of moisture allows for the essence to better absorb into your skin, according to Rodney.

Then, gently pat the essence into your skin. Don't rub or use an abrasive applicator that can tug, pull, scratch or irritate the skin, says Rodney.

At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

Dr. Ife J. Rodney is a board-certified dermatologist, dermatopathologist and owner of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics in Fulton, Maryland. Her areas of expertise include acne, skin aging, rosacea and more. 

Dr. Sheila Farhang is a board-certified dermatologist and owner of Avant Dermatology in Tucson, Arizona. She is also a double-fellowship trained cosmetic surgeon and a reconstructive Mohs micrographic surgeon.

Bianca Alvarez is an associate reporter covering skin care, hair care and gift guides, including recent stories on the best foot creams and dry shampoos. For this story, she interviewed dermatologists and shared their recommendations as well as researched highly rated essences and NBC Select staff favorites that met their guidance.

Catch up on NBC Select's in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.

Bach In Japan

Subscribe to Christianity Today and get instant access to past issues of Christian History! Yuko Maruyama, a Japanese organist working in Minneapolis, was once a devout Buddhist. Now she is a Christian thanks to the music of J. S. Bach. "Bach introduced me to God, Jesus and Christianity," she told Metro Lutheran, a Twin Cities monthly. "When I play a fugue, I can feel Bach talking to God." Masashi Masuda, a Jesuit priest, came to faith in almost the same way: "Listening to Bach's Goldberg Variations first aroused my interest in Christianity." Today Masuda teaches theology at Tokyo's Sophia University. But why would the most abstract works of an 18th-century German composer guide Asian people to Christ? Charles Ford, a mathematics professor in St. Louis, suggests that this is because Bach's music reflects the perfect beauty of created order to which the Japanese mind is receptive. "Bach has had the same effect on me, a Western scientist," explained Ford. Henry Gerike, organist and choirmaster at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, agrees: "The fugue is the best way God has given us to enjoy his creation. … But of course Bach's most significant message to us is the Gospel." Gerike echoes Swedish archbishop Nathan Söderblom (1866-1931), who famously called Bach's cantatas "the fifth Gospel." Rev. Robert Bergt, musical director of Concordia's Bach at the Sem concert series, has first-hand experience with the missionary lure of Bach's cantatas in Tokyo. He used to be the chief conductor of Musashino Music Academy's three orchestras. Bach's compositions brought his musicians, audiences, and students into contact with the Word of God, he said. "Some of these people would then in private declare themselves as 'closet Christians,'" Bergt related in an interview. "This happened to me at least 15 times. And one of them I eventually baptized myself." While only one percent of Japan's population of 128 million is officially Christian, Bergt estimated that the real figure could be three times as high if one includes secret believers. After two failed attempts to popularize Bach's music in Japan since the late 19th century, a veritable Bach boom has been sweeping that country for the last 16 years. Its driving force is organist Masaaki Suzuki, founder and conductor of the Bach Collegium Japan that has spawned hundreds of similar societies throughout the country. During Holy Week, Suzuki's performances of the St. Matthew Passion are always sold out, although tickets cost more than $600. After each concert, members of the audience crowd Suzuki on the podium asking him about the Christian concept of hope and about death, a topic normally taboo in polite Japanese society. "I am spreading Bach's message, which is a biblical one," Suzuki told me. But why do Bach's melodies and harmonies, so alien to the Asian ear, appeal to the Japanese? Musicologists attribute this to Francis Xavier and other Jesuit missionaries, who introduced Gregorian chant into Japan and built organs from bamboo pipes 400 years ago. Though Christianity was soon squashed, elements of its music infiltrated traditional folk song. Four centuries later, this curious fact is now enabling tens of thousands of Japanese to come to Christ via Bach. The surprising success of this music in evangelizing one of the most secular nations on earth has led Lutheran theologian Yoshikazu Tokuzen to call Bach a "vehicle of the Holy Spirit." Uwe Siemon-Netto, a veteran foreign correspondent from Germany and Lutheran lay theologian, is scholar-in-residence at Concordia Seminary. You can learn more about Masaaki Suzuki and the Bach Collegium Japan by visiting their website, http://www.Bach.Co.Jp/. Copyright © 2007 by the author or Christianity Today/Christian History & Biography magazine.Click here for reprint information on Christian History & Biography.

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