How to Use Glow Serum? | Correct Order & Application

For the full breakdown, see our best Facial Glow Serum guide.

Learning how to use glow serum the right way comes down to one thing: placement in your routine. The Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide, the clearest product matching this name, works best when applied to clean, damp skin before heavier layers.

Applying Glow Serum In The Right Order

Serums are concentrated treatments, so their position in your skincare routine determines how well they absorb. The official order from Beauty of Joseon is straightforward: cleanse, then optional toner or essence, then the glow serum, then moisturizer, and finally sunscreen in the daytime.

Follow this exact sequence when you use the product:

1. Cleanse your face and pat it dry, leaving skin slightly damp if possible.
2. Apply toner or essence if your routine includes one.
3. Dispense 2–3 drops of the glow serum into your palm.
4. Press the serum gently onto your face and neck, focusing on areas that need extra hydration or brightness.
5. Tap lightly with your fingertips until the serum is fully absorbed.
6. Layer any additional water-based serums next, then oils, then your moisturizer.
7. In the morning, finish with broad-spectrum sunscreen.

A small amount goes a long way with this formula. Over-application can leave skin feeling tacky or sticky, so start with the 2–3 drop measure and adjust only if your skin drinks it up quickly.

When To Use Glow Serum In Your Day

In the evening, the serum layers easily under night creams and overnight treatments. A useful rule for any serum routine: apply products from thinnest to thickest consistency, and give each layer a moment to absorb before the next.

Your skin type determines how often you should reach for it. The formula suits all skin types, but if your skin is sensitive, introduce it gradually — try it every other day at first, then build to twice daily. Watch how your skin responds over a week or two before increasing frequency.

Techniques That Improve Absorption

How you apply the serum matters nearly as much as when you apply it. Pressing or patting the product into your skin beats rubbing in two ways: it reduces irritation from friction, and it improves penetration by encouraging the product into the skin rather than smearing it across the surface.

Wait about 30–60 seconds after applying the glow serum before reaching for your moisturizer. That short pause lets the active ingredients settle and prevents pilling when you layer heavier creams on top.

A common mistake is using too much product or rushing the absorption step. If you notice a sticky film after application, you have either over-applied or layered your next product too quickly.

After Your Glow Serum Routine

Once the serum is absorbed, your moisturizer seals in the hydration and the actives. In the morning, finish with sunscreen; in the evening, your regular night cream completes the routine. If you use other active products like retinoids or exfoliating acids, consider alternating them with the glow serum or applying them at different times of day — the brand’s guidance emphasizes checking routine order and your own tolerance when combining actives.

But no serum outranks sunscreen — the anti-aging and brightening work you do at night is undone by unprotected daytime sun exposure.