SKINCARE TIPS: SEQUENCE OF SKINCARE PRODUCTS (ESSENCE, SERUM, LOTION, AMPOULE, EMULSION, GEL, TONER, BOOSTER & CREAM)

Some time ago, I wrote about THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ESSENCE, SERUM, LOTION, AMPOULE, EMULSION, GEL, TONER, BOOSTER & CREAM? I was surprised but am really really happy when reader comments or gives response to my article. It has been very quite in here > < . So, here it is especially for Jojo Shim and I hope it will help readers out there with all the humongous skincare products out there.  Here is the Mindmap guide for skincare products.

I left out eye cream because we don’t do layering for the eye because it might cause oil seed! However, it does not mean that you can’t use eye cream


The general rules and guide is that the lighter products comes first.


This is a general guide but there is some changes to the sequence for certain products such as Dr.Jart (Korean product) so always do read their labels& instruction beforehand.

Sequence of usage of products

Morning

1. Cleanser

2. Toner/Mist (make sure it is skincare Mist and not Makeup Mist)

3. Serum

4. Lotion or emulsion (moisturizer)

5. Cream (skip this if you are using lotion or if it is summer)

6. Skincare finisher (just recently launched in Korea)

7. Sunblock

8. Makeup

Night Care

1. Makeup remover (oil, water base or gel base depending on your skin and preference)

2. Cleanser (if you are using massage cream then it is after the cleanser)

3. Booster (only for certain brands. The usual sequuence is after toner)

4. Toner/Mist( pat it into your skin) (if is Korean toner)

5. Ampoule (try to use the same category for ampoule,serum&essence(for example ageing) if you plan to use all three or just use one to avoid clashes of ingredients)

6. Serum (if it is more watery than essence. If it is oil then essence first)

7. Essence

8. Sheet mask or gel mask (optional but Korean use mask everyday)

9. Lotion or Emulsion (moisturizer)

10. Cream or oil capsules

11. Night pack or sleeping mask

I know the night care is shocking with that kind of amount and one may break out if you use that in a humid and hot country like Malaysia along with ingredients that is all very moisturising.  However, I think it will work fine during winter.  Make sure your ingredients doesn't clash with each other. (for examples retinol cream can't be mix with AHA or BHA cream/salicylic acid/ latic acid )

Mask sequence for few days 

Day 1 Deep cleansing

Day 2 Calming

Day 3 Hydrating

Day4 Ageing 

This is a general guide for normal and dry skin. It is not suitable for acne prone skin or one that is battling acne because too much of layering will cause break out.

My sequence if you add in pimples cream

Night Care

1. Makeup remover (oil, water base or gel base depending on your skin and preference)

2. Cleanser

3. pimples cream (applied it all over the face .  Only do spot treatment if it is benzoyl peroxide)

4.  Lotion or Emulsion (moisturizer) on area that is dry

You can check out my other posts for acne prone skin Here and Here


I hope that this will help readers and again make sure that you are aware of the ingredients that you are using because some can cause break out!


How to use retinoid Here (youtube)
How to use actives effectively

Updated on 17/3/2021

on YesStyle: YUERAIN999 https://ystyle.co/YRiK

The opinions expressed here are my own and honest as always.

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REVIEW ON DR.JART V7 TURNOVER BOOSTER

If you have heard about this famous beauty Korea show, I am sure that you would know about the Dr. Jart ceramidin cream that is a favourite even among the Korean celebrities for the light and moisturizing property and it can be mix with BB cream to create a base for a long lasting makeup.

Today, I am going to introduce another product from Dr. Jart which is the Dr.Jart V7 turnover booster. Do visit the link for more information on what is a booster. I wrote about them a while ago.

photos are from Dr.Jart official site

Key ingredients
Vita 3 Complex – Helps to reduce the appearance of pigmentation caused by acne, sun damage and delivers high levels of anti-oxidants
Vitamin B3 Niacinamide - Improves skins resilience, improves cell renewal
Vitamin B5 Panthenol - Aids wrinkle prevention
Vitamin C Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate – Helps to protects the skin from UV damage, helps maintain skin resilience with anti-oxidizing agents
Vitamin E Tocopheryl Acetate - Anti-oxidant agents help prevent skin ageing and improves elasticity of dry skin

Here is the box.  Make sure to keep the bottle inside this box.

The bottle is made of glass and it is quite heavy.  So make sure not to drop it.

Some of the wording are in Korean since this is a Korean products =) .

sorry for the ingredients that is not so clear

Water, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Betaine, Silica, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Squalane, Arginine, Niacinamide, Carbomer, Panthenol, Caffeine, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Ubiquinone, Disodium EDTA, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Salix Nigra (Willow) Bark Extract, Euglena Gracilis Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Arachidonate, Glycery

The booster is clear white with gold particles.

What is so special about this booster is that it contains 7types of vitamins to feed the skin according to the vitamin pyramid. The bottle is also in a dark colour and has a dropper to it. I find that I really like this kind of dropper as it is so easy to use and to avoid contamination to the product. I keep the bottle inside the box though in case the light will destroy the product.

I use the booster few drops in the morning and more at night. It absorbs into my skin very fast and hydrates my skin without any heavy feeling. My skin was peelings from the weeks of neglect, along with the breakouts and usage of acne prone products so this is really helpful with the hydration without being too heavy. I do not use any moisturizer during that time since my pores get clogged easily but surprisingly I do not get any skin peeling when I am using this.

This is really an amazing product for hydration although it is just a booster. I use serum, beauty oil or sleeping mask after the product at night. I find that all the skincare product works seems to work better and faster when I am using this booster.  Everything just get 'absorb' into my skin when normally all those product seems to just stay on top of my skin.  This is sure a keeper.

I will buy this again because it really helps my skin with hydration without clogging my pores.


Thanks Corinne for introducing this product to me. I love this very very much =)

P/S: If you are getting Dr.Jart V7 toner, you would have to use the toner after the Dr.Jart turnover booster.  I am not sure why but I think it is because the V7 toner is not a clarifying toner and it is a hydrating toner that contain active ingredients for the skin.  So, the sequence would be cleaner> booster > toner.


Products retails Rm145 for 50ml at Sasa. Made in Korea.
For more information, please visit official website Dr.Jart official site . This is not a sponsored product.  I won this from a contest.  The opinions expressed here are my own and honest as always.

THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ESSENCE, SERUM, LOTION, AMPOULE, EMULSION, GEL, TONER, BOOSTER,CREAM, FLORAL WATER&FINISHER?

10 years ago, skincare products were much simpler. I only have cleanser, toner and also moisturizer which people called cream. The extra products that I have would be sunblock I guess. Fast forward ten years and we have so many products out there in the market until I can’t even differentiate what is essence, serum , lotion, cream and even booster! One day I was looking at my aunt skincare products and asked her what is the differences between essence and cream but I didn't get the exact answer that I want! Some would just tell me to put it after toner or something. I got confused with so many things to put and I usually use mixture of brands and products.  I was so lost with all these skincare products terms.

So, today I am just going to share the meaning of those products in layman term.  Hopefully, it will be of help to you =).  Here is another newer pictorial form for better understanding.

Okay, let’s start with the most difficult one


1. TONER/MIST/SKIN REFINER/SKIN BALANCER/SOFTENER/LOTION(Japanese toner)
Okay, this is as the name suggested they are actually toner. While products in western countries are known as toner,

Updated on 3/10/2014:  Now there is even western toner written as lotion so do be careful and check the description before using them.

A) Korean name their toner as Mist/toner/ Skin Refiner/ Skin balancer/ Skin hydrator/lotion/skin/water .

For examples,

Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 days Miracle Toner
Celimax Noni Moisture Balancing Toner
Pyunkang yul essence toner
Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Unscented Toner
Althea Bare Essentials Primer Water
Swanicoco A.C control care skin toner
By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water
THEFACESHOP Jeju Volcanic Lava Pore Toner
COSRX AHA / BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
Klairs supple preparation facial toner
Primera Organience Water
COSRX Centella Water Alcohol Free Toner

Cosrx Bha Blackhead Power Liquid

Laneige Skin Refiner

B) Japanese on the other hand name their toner lotion or softener.
For examples,
Kose Sekkisei lotion
Kiku masamune Japanese Sake Brewing Skin care Lotion(high moist) 
Kiku masamune Japanese Sake Brewing Skin care Lotion 
Shiseido softener

C)Taiwanese just name their toner as toner to lessen the confusion but their products work like Japanese and Korean lotion.

For examples,
Shills Miracle Lift 3d Firming Gel Toner
White Formula Super Moist Light Toner with Hyaluronic Acid

D) Western toner is so much easier to understand. It will always end with the word toner.
 For examples
 Biotherm micro exfoliating purifying toner.
 Dr.Lewinn' Purifying Toner

Low pH toner -you probably heard this from reddit or some blogger about using low pH toner.  It just means using toner that has pH of about 4-5.5 for the purpose of lowering down the pH of your face.  While it is already debunked that pH of your face doesn't matter, using low pH toner is recommended for those that have water above pH7 and for those that use cleanser above pH 6 to 9.
You can check out this post HERE if you need low pH toner.


E) Mist are hydrating toner water that contains cooling properties and hydration.  How fine the mist comes out depend on the nozzle.  It is mostly in bottle.  Koreans or Asian usually carry this to just spray on the face when it is hot or they feel dry without touching face.  It is most use in summer.  It is best to use hydrating mist instead of just plain water.

For examples,
Heimish Bulgarian Rose Water Mist Serum
Melvita Organic Beauty Mist
Always21 Soothing and Refresh Aloe Vera 95% Mist
First Cosmetic Mulbit Medist (vitamin Mist)
The Farm Herb Rejuvenating Facial Toning Mist


Basically, the texture in this categories are watery just like water.  Those hydrating ones can be just sprayed on the face. Most Japanese lotion can be use on compressed mask sheets and used as sheet masks.

Western toners are usually those clarifying one where you will use the cotton pad to swipe across the face.  It can't be use as mask !

Western and Asian toner are not the same although it is usually use after cleaning (There is some certain products that the toner or lotion are used as 3rd products because of adding booster) .

There is a difference between how western and Asian toner are used.  Do not assume that Asian lotion and Western toner are the same.





2. ESSENCE, SERUM, AMPOULE

A) Ampoule contains high concentration of ingredients target for specific purpose. They are more expensive than serum. This is because ampoule contains the lightest texture, penetrate into the skin faster and provide the fastest results within a short time. Normally, hydrating or makeup ampoules are use by the makeup artist for a bridal wedding to make the makeup last long. There are also many types of ampoules and they are generally in form of vial to avoid the highly reactive ingredients get oxidized by the air.

For examples:

By Wishtrend Polyphenols in Propolis 15% Ampoule on Youtube
Celimax Noni Energy Ampoule

Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum
Skin1004 Madagascar centella asiatica 100 ampoule
Max Clinic Deep and Deeper Meso Change ampoule
Doclab Hyaluronic Acid Face Ampoule
MELVITA NECTAR BRIGHT BRIGHTENING CONCENTRATE
La belle acnex ampoule


B) Serum contain higher concentration of ingredients than essence.  It also target specific skin concern. Therefore they are more expensive than essence. Serums also contain thicker texture than essence. There are many types of serum ranging from anti-aging capsules serum, pore tightening serum and brightening serum.  There are oil based and water based serum.

- Examples of water based serum.  Some has higher water texture in them.

Jumiso All day Vitamin Brightening&Balancing facial serum

AZN Labs Afterglow Ampoule
Timeless 20% Vitamin C + ferulic acid serum
Klairs Midnight Blue Youth Activating Drop
iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum
iUNIK Black Snail Restore Serum
I'M FROM Ginseng Serum
Klavuu White Pearlsation Special Divine Pearl Serum

Linden Leaves Natural Skincare Porcelain Brightening Serum

Antipodes Worship Superfruit Antioxidant Serum
C20(OST) Pure vitamin 21.5 advanced serum
clarins multi active skin renewal serum
Klairs rich moisture soothing serum 
Neulii Teatree BHA blemish control serum

- Oil based serum are in oil form for stabilizing properties.  It usually contains very UV ingredients such as Vitamin C or retinol.

Example of oil based serum:

Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Gold Ultra Restorative Capsules
Preeti Nourishing Multi Oil Serum

Dermafal Placenta Serum

Seven wonders moroccan argan oil serum


-  There are also serum that is in form of BHA, AHA which is supposed to be treated as 'actives' since they have low pH.

SOME BY MI AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum
Neulii teatree BHA blemish control serum
Swiss Line Cell Shock Age Intelligence Perfect Skin

-also serum but it is actually peel (need to remove from face after 1min&once a month usage)

So Natural Red Peel Tingle Serum (Korean dupe of the The Ordinary red serum


C) Essence contains concentrate of ingredients for specific purposes. It is the least concentrate among ampoule and serum. Essence are generally watery and light so don't mistake it with toner. Some are called treatment water but it is actually essence.

whitening essence to brighten the face, pore control essence to control the pore and skin repairing essence.

For examples,

Jin Jung Sung Soothing Moisture Skin Essence

Jumiso Snail EX Ultimate Boost Facial Essence

By Wishtrend Quad Active Boosting Essence
Manyo Factory Galactomyces Niacin
Melvita brightening essence
Hansaeng Cosmetics RIN Bi-gyeol Soo Essence
Cremorlab Mineral Treatment Essence ,
SKII facial treatment essence.

-oil based essence such as Shills Mandelic Acid essence .  It contains mandelic acid which is a form of AHA.

- There is All in one Essence from the trending 2018 skincare diet (using only 3-5 products for skincare routine).  It is an essence that covers the step of toner, fermented products, essence and moisturiser.
For example: Hyggee All In One Essence


The level of concentrate ingredients from the highest one would be ampoule > serum> essence .
The level of texture from the lightest one would be essence > ampoule  > serum

You could check this post Here to know if you need essence or serum.

3. LOTION, CREAM, EMULSION and GEL

A)Korean lotion is actually their light moisturizer. Example COSRX Oil Free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)

B)Japanese lotion means it is toner. Example of Japanese lotion would be the Kose Sekkisei Lotion , Kikumasamune sake high moist lotion, Kiku masamune Japanese Sake Brewing Skin care Lotion

C)Emulsion is a light moisturizer. Mostly people with combination skin or oily skin would choose emulsion because of the lighter texture but still provide the moisture needed. Normally it is water based.

For examples,
Swanicoco A.C emulsion
Kose Sekkisei emulsion
Avène cleanance expert emulsion
Kikumasamune Sake emulsion
Primera Organience Emulsion  
L'occitane Shea Face Soothing Fluid
Snow Fairy Hydro White Emulsion


D) Cream is thicker since it contains more oil inside.  Cream provides more oil for those with dry skin or for usage during winter.  However, snail cream are usually very light.  There are many type of creams for examples whitening, anti-aging, hydrating and for acne. In 2019, there is a new Vegan Korean brand cream.  There is also some that called the gel moisturiser cream.

For examples,
Celimax Noni Energy Repair Cream on Youtube

ABIB Hydration Creme Water Tube
Kicho Sheep Oil Cream

Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream
Klairs Moist Soothing Cream

Borntree gold milk steam cream
Eyenlips Black Snail All in One cream
Commleaf Vitarice Moisture Cream
The Vegan Glow Good Night Cream (vegan)
Heimish Bulgarian Rose Satin Cream

Pyunkang Yul Acne Cream (it is gel)
Oxygen women and teen soothing moisturiser
The Herb Farm Nourishing Rose Face Cream

Althea Bare Essentials Fixer Cream

Hansaeng Cosmetics RIN Bi-gyeol Soo Cream
Hansaeng Cosmetics RIN Bi-Gyeol Yun Cream

Egyptian magic cream
skin shop premium secret snail vital mucin cream,
Mary Cohr light moisturising cream
The Yeon Yowoo Brightening Cream
Elizavecca Aqua Hyaluronic Acid Water Drop Cream

Massage cream- it is cream that people use for massage on the face. Basically, you apply the massage a little on the face, then massage the face until it become transparent. then rinse the face away with it.  It is better for dry skin during winter.

Lafine Massage cream





Gel moisturizers usually contain humectants like silicone or gylerin for oily skin. Gel is also lighter than cream and emulsion. Some like it for the fresh texture.  If you don't mind spending the money, you can use eye gel as face moisturiser.
Examples,

Pyunkang yul Balancing gel
Alive:Lab Multi Ice Cream
COSRX Oil Free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Mizon Dist Clean up Protect Cream
Neutrogena Hydra Boost water gel 
Phb Skin Restore Gel Aloe Vera
Swiss Line By Dermalab Aqua Vitale De Puffing Eye Gel .

4.  BOOSTER

Booster is something that is put before the serum/essence to boost the efficiency of the essence/serum.  The texture is generally very light and you will notice that the skincare penetrate into the skin much faster than if you are not using booster. The sequence to use booster for Korean and Western is also different depending on your toner (korean or western toner)

Examples of booster would be Dr. Jart V7 Booster and Dermalogica booster.

5.FLORAL WATER and MIST
Most people would find this confusing whether it is a toner, a booster or a moisturiser.  For me, it is just like the name suggested- water infused with flowers.  One can use this as toner, mist or even moisturiser.  It is really just like water, it can calm the skin and moisturise the skin as it contain glycerine.  However, it is not enough to moisturiser the skin during winter.
TIAM Vita B3 Source Mist Toner
Melvita Narcissus extraordinary water
Melvita Extraordinary water 
Heaven on Earth Lavendar Floral water

 Bio Essence Spring Water

6.FINISHER
Okay, In September 2014 there is already the skin finisher which means to be a skincare products which makes the skin looks glow to the point of flawless. It's called a skin finisher because it goes on last (over toner, serums/essence/ and moisturisers) and before your cc cream or foundation. It is used during the day.  It can comes in form or spray or bottle. There are hair finisher but this finisher is for skin and it is already a rave in Korea.  Skin finisher is NOT A PRIMER NOR it is a MAKEUP because the skin finisher seal all the good things about your skincare products into your skin making it super flawless.  According to them, skin finisher is the key to have amazingly dewy skin flawless skin.  Examples of skin finisher would be Sulwhasoo Luminate Essential Finisher, Su:m miracle finisher and many more.


7. PEELING GEL
Peeling gel is actually exfoliator for sensitive skin which is much more gentle than scrubs.  Generally, Korean prefer peeling gel because it helps to exfoliate the skin without the harshness and peeling gel can immediately brighten the skin. Normally, it is use before using a sheet mask for best effect.
Beauty of Joseon Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel

Secret Key Lemon Sparkling Peeling Gel

Pyunkang yul peeling gel
UGB peeling gel
Cure Natural Aqua Gel

7. POWDER PRODUCTS
Brands are coming with powder products because of the airport liquid restrictions so there are many products in powder form.  Some are spot treatment and some are cleansers at the moment.

Alivelab Red Spot Lemon Powder
Alivelab Centella Dressing Powder (spot calming treatment)

SRB Stabilized Rice Bran Enzyme Powder Wash (very nice cleanser)

Ishtar Cleansing Clay powder (gentle cleanser)

By Wishtrend Green Tea and Enzyme Powder Wash (exfoliating cleanser)

That are what I know about the current type of skincare products in the market.  The list is sure going to be long and I will update this from time to time.  There are many texture such as jelly, pudding and more texture coming out in the market every second so I know it is going to be more and more confusing next time.  Even the vocabulary list for skincare products are just going longer.  Do forgive me or correct me if I made any mistake in writing this as I wrote it base on my common experience in skincare .

I hope that it will help you in making choices for your skincare products.





Here are some other links that you might find useful.
5 Reasons that you have acne breakouts (animation video)
10 types of acne treatment for acne prone skin
Sequence of all the products usage
How to effectively use essence, serum and ampoule
Differences about all the skincare cleansers
How to use actives, vitamin C, BHA, AHA and retinol. Do you need wait time? 
What are retinoid (tretinoin, retin A, tazaroc, adapalene and retinol) in Youtube

Updated on 4/5/2022



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