Seriously, I had these posts planned out quite nicely, but then my depression hit like clockwork and my plans fell apart. So here we are, three months past the second post in my series, hoping to hit the ground running.
In this post we're going to discuss the thinner layering items of our skincare routine. We've already talked about first essences, which will be your first real hydrating layer - and moisturizers, which will be your workhorse hydrator and help seal everything in. These layers will fit in-between those layers and treat individual skin concerns such as acne, hyper-pigmentation, wrinkles, scarring, and brightening.
1. The Basics: Cleanser, Toner, Moisturizer & Checking Ingredients
2. Build Up The Basics: Oil Cleansers, First Essences & Sunscreen
3. Individualized Treatments - YOU ARE HERE!
4. Overnight Healing: Spot Treatments & Sleeping Packs
In this post:
>Essences
>Serums
>Ampoules
Where they'll fit into a routine:
Oil cleanser > Cleanser > Toner > Vitamin C > BHA > AHA > Prescription Treatment > First essence > Essence > Serum > Ampoule > Sheet mask > Eye Treatment > Emulsion/Lotion > Cream > Spot Treatment > Sleeping Pack or Sunscreen
Before we get started, I want to note that this post does contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission. This is what helps fund this blog and everything I do here - including purchase review items and host giveaways.
Essences, Serums & Ampoules
You may commonly see essences, serums, and ampoules listed as separate steps - and they typically are - but... their differences often include differences in consistency, and the general rule of thumb to remember when applying products is to apply them from thickest to thinnest. I've done my best to guide you through the steps of your new-found routine until this point, but this point is where things tend to get a bit sticky - sometimes literally.
Commonly, you'll find routine's to look like this:
Oil cleanser > Cleanser > Toner > Actives > First essence > Essence > Serum > Ampoule > Sheet mask > Eye Treatment > Emulsion/Lotion > Cream > Sleeping Pack or SunscreenBut we've got a way to go before we have a lengthy yet satisfying routine with 10+ steps...
What's the difference between these three items, you ask? Well, as confusing as it may be starting out, it's really quite simple!
Essences often have a watery consistency, slightly more viscous than a toner, but other times are thicker and somewhat gel-like (especially if there's snail involved). Once you get past your first essence, essences and serums are essentially interchangeable. Essences are the least concentrated of these three items and generally come in the largest bottles for the greatest value of product.
Serums are thicker than essences and commonly come in pump bottles. They have a semi-fluid texture that is similar to a thinned gel. Serums are more concentrated than essences but also tend to contain more active ingredients that start targeting more specific concerns.
Ampoules have the highest concentration of active ingredients of all three options. Some recommend mixing a drop or two with a cream or serum because they are so concentrated and tend to come in smaller packaging - but others recommend applying them after essences and serums or even before your serums so they are "pushed" into the skin to boost the remaining products.
Recap -
Essences are typically the thinnest and contain the least concentrations of active ingredients, and are generally applied after your first essence. Serums are a bit thicker, contain more active ingredients, and can be applied after essences or ampoules - you pick! Ampoules contain the highest concentration of active ingredients, and can be mixed with other products or applied before or after serums.
So at this point, I'm going to give suggestions regarding products for specific concerns, and their order of application will depend more on their thickness vs whether they're named an essence, serum or ampoule.
>Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence (Jolse, Amazon, Memebox, SokoGlam)
Works well for acne and anti-aging.
>Enprani Moistfull Booskin (Amazon, Memebox)
Works well for moisture.
>Holy Snails Snowbang Essence (Holy Snails Shop)
Works well for repair and brightening.
>LJH Tea Tree 90 Essence (KoreaDepart, Amazon, Memebox, GlowRecipe)
Works well for acne.
>Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence (Jolse, Amazon, Memebox, Cupidrop)
Works well for moisture, acne, and anti-aging.
>Cosrx Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence (Jolse, Cupidrop, Amazon)
Works well for moisture.
>Guerisson 9 Complex Essence (KoreaDepart, Amazon, Memebox)
Works well for anti-aging, brightening, and acne.
>Holy Snails Shark Sauce (Holy Snails Shop)
Works well for brightening.
>Blossom Jeju Pink Camellia Essence Serum (TesterKorea, GlowRecipe)
Works well for anti-aging and moisture.
>Neulii Snail Bee Anti-Wrinkle Serum (Jolse, RoseRoseShop)
Works well for anti-aging and acne.
>Cosrx Centella Blemish Ampoule (Jolse, Cupidrop, Amazon, Memebox)
Works well for acne and brightening.
>Manyo Factory Ultra Moist Spa Ampoule (KoreaDepart, MelodyCosme, Amazon)
>Tosowoong Propolis Sparkle Ampoule (Cupidrop, Amazon, Memebox)
Works well for anti-aging and acne.
I hope this short list is helpful - I don't want to be overwhelming, but these are some great products to look into while starting out! Please don't hesitate to ask any questions in the comments below.
Until next time! <3
Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was received for this post. The Glitter Chic blog will always provide honest opinions, beliefs or experiences on products reviewed. If you have any questions, please contact me at gothickornchic at gmail dot com. This blog contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase using one of those links. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
I have a lot of beauty regimen. I like using Asian products, especially those from Korean.
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