Essences, Serums and Ampoules: Targeted treatments for each of your needs

Episode 3 of our series on Korean layering!
After double cleansing, toning, and exfoliating, let's focus on essences, serums, and ampoules. What are the differences? How do you use them? We'll explain everything!

1. The Essences: Light hydration and the ideal preparation

The essence is a lightweight hydrating treatment, positioned between toner and serum, that prepares the skin to absorb the following steps in the routine. It deeply hydrates while strengthening the skin barrier and stimulating cell renewal.

Choosing your fuel type:

• Dull skin Opt for essences containing niacinamide or galactomyces . Niacinamide evens out skin tone and adds radiance, while galactomyces improves texture and revitalizes the skin.
• Oily skin Choose essences with centella asiatica or zinc . These ingredients regulate excess sebum, soothe inflammation and help to mattify the skin without drying it out.
• Dry skin Opt for essences based on hyaluronic acid or glycerin . These active ingredients deeply hydrate and retain moisture, thus providing comfort and suppleness.

Product recommendations:

• Beauty Of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water Formulated with ginseng, this essence revitalizes the skin, restores energy and stimulates collagen production.
• Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence by Cosrx: A moisturizing and repairing treatment with a high concentration of snail mucin extract for smoother, more radiant skin.

2. Serums and Ampoules: Targeted and Powerful Treatments

Serums

Serums are highly concentrated skincare products designed to target specific concerns such as hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, radiance , or blemishes. They absorb quickly and are ideal for daily use.

For example, choose a vitamin C serum for a bright complexion, a peptide serum to boost collagen production and reduce wrinkles, or a hyaluronic acid serum to hydrate and plump the skin.

Our Council Apply 2-3 drops of serum, then massage gently. It penetrates deeply for visible results over time. Use it daily or a few times a week, as needed.

Product recommendations:

• Glow Deep Serum: Rice + Alpha Arbutin from Beauty of JoseonA serum that combines rice extract and alpha arbutin to even out skin tone and provide a natural glow.
• VT Reedle Shot 100 A serum concentrated in moisturizing and repairing ingredients, ideal for tired and dehydrated skin.
• Sample Blemish Care Up Serum A targeted serum that helps treat blemishes and even out skin tone, ideal for blemish-prone skin.

The Ampoules: A concentrated boost

Ampoules are ultra-concentrated treatments, even more powerful than serums, ideal for an intensive treatment or a quick radiance boost before a special event. Their texture, rich in active ingredients, quickly targets the skin's specific needs.

Attention Do not use the ampoule and serum at the same time. Both are highly concentrated, and using them together can overload the skin and reduce their effectiveness. Use one or the other in your routine. A few drops are sufficient. Some brands use the terms "ampoules" and "serums" interchangeably. In this case, a serum or an ampoule will have the same use and a moderate concentration.

Conclusion

In the next episode, we'll explore face masks, both in jars and sheet masks, and how to incorporate them into your routine for an intensive treatment. These steps are ideal for a boost of hydration and nourishment. Stay tuned to learn all about K-Beauty face masks.