Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum before or after moisturizer?

Where does Glow Serum go in your routine?

1. 1Cleanse with a gentle face cleanser. Avoid rough scrubbing.
2. 2Apply Glow Serum, using the amount directed on your bottle.
3. 3Apply your moisturizer.
4. 4In the morning, finish with sunscreen of at least SPF 30 if your moisturizer does not already include sunscreen.

Keep the serum before moisturizer in whichever routine you use it. The order does not tell you whether Glow Serum belongs in the morning, evening or both, so use the product directions to choose its schedule rather than treating a routine diagram as a dosing instruction.1

Does Glow Serum replace moisturizer?

Treat the serum and moisturizer as separate steps. Serums are generally light liquids designed to deliver concentrated ingredients, while moisturizer helps keep skin soft and hydrated. The word "Glow" does not give a serum a second job as a face cream.14

Serums are typically designed to absorb quickly. However, absorption depends on the whole formula and the condition of the skin barrier, not just whether a product feels thin or thick. A greasy, occlusive formulation, meaning one that covers the skin, can increase absorption of an active ingredient. Avoid assuming that moisturizer simply blocks everything underneath or applied afterwards.15

What if you have sensitive skin or use other actives?

Test a new serum on a small area before applying it across your face. Concentrated ingredients can irritate sensitive skin. Check the ingredient lists of your serum and moisturizer before combining them, especially if your routine already includes acids or retinol. Doubling up on the same active ingredient is not necessary just because it appears in two different bottles.123

Applying moisturizer before an irritating retinol is a separate technique used to create a buffer. Do not automatically copy that order for every serum. If you use a prescription treatment, keep its application instructions separate from the general serum sequence.25

Keep the rest of the routine simple rather than adding several products at once. A longer product lineup is not a promotion for your bathroom shelf.4

If irritation develops, cut back on products to help identify the trigger rather than adding more layers. See a dermatologist if the problem does not improve after simplifying your routine and removing suspected products.4