Great makeup starts with a well-prepped base. Before you pick up a cushion or mascara, your skin needs a few skincare steps to lay the groundwork. Here's the order that works best, plus which steps you can skip when you're short on time.
1. Toner — Balance and Hydrate First
Toner comes right after cleansing. It rebalances your skin's pH and preps it to absorb everything that follows.
SKINFOOD Royal Honey Propolis Enrich Toner 160ml
Can you skip it? Not recommended — this step primes your skin for better absorption of everything after it.
2. Essence — Lightweight Hydration Boost
Essence adds a light layer of hydration and nutrients between toner and serum.
SKINFOOD Carrot Carotene Moist Effector 55ml
Can you skip it? Yes, if you're in a rush. It's a nice-to-have layer, not essential every single day.
3. Serum — Targeted Treatment
Serum is where you address specific concerns — brightening, firming, or repair. Apply it after essence, while skin is still damp, for better absorption.
SKINFOOD Gold Caviar Serum 50ml
Can you skip it? Only if your skin has no specific concern that day. Otherwise, this is where the real results happen.
4. Cream — Seal In Hydration
Moisturizer locks in everything you just applied and keeps your skin barrier comfortable through the day.
Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream 100ml
Can you skip it? No — skipping moisturizer can leave your base uneven and make makeup cling to dry patches later.
5. Sunscreen — Non-Negotiable Last Step
Sunscreen is always the last skincare step, applied after your moisturizer has settled and before any makeup.
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ PA++++
Can you skip it? Never skip this one, rain or shine — it protects your skin and keeps your makeup looking fresh longer.
Once your skin is prepped, you're ready for Part 2, where we'll walk through applying your base makeup and finishing touches — cushion foundation through mascara.