Ampoules for Skin: This is Everything You Need to Know

This just in: Another Korean beauty trend has landed stateside, and we promise you’re going to want to know all about it. Ampoules, which are small glass or plastic vessels containing a super-charged serum, offer a multitude of skin benefits—and we’re betting that these tiny tubes are going to be popping up everywhere sometime soon. Think of serum ampoules as a booster shot for your skin. A staple of the 10-step K-beauty routine, we’d argue that skin ampoules deserve a place in your everyday skin care routine, too. Keep reading to learn more about skin care ampoules, including how to use ampoules and what they are in the first place.

WHAT ARE AMPOULES FOR SKIN?

Simply speaking, skin care ampoules are small glass or plastic bottles, vials, or capsules that have highly-concentrated serums inside. Preserving these potent potions inside a sealed capsule prevents any oxidation from occurring, so it helps keep the formula and its active ingredients as fresh and strong as possible. Typically, ampoules will be sold as part of a set—such as a week-long treatment, with one ampoule meant to be used each day. It’s basically a series of super treatments that offer skin benefits such as hydrating and plumping or smoothing fine lines and wrinkles—perfect to use before a big event, such as your wedding or a work occasion, or even if your skin needs a reset after returning from a vacation.

Because these ampoule treatments are designed to be used for a finite period of time, they’re also chock full of active ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, antioxidants like vitamin C, and other plant extracts. A high concentration of key ingredients is what allows for such small packaging—in other words, a little goes a long way! They’re sold in these sets because once you break open one ampoule and apply its liquid contents, they can’t be reused. Usually, you will snap off the top of an ampoule, use its contents, and then toss it for good.

HOW TO USE AMPOULES

Like we said, using a set of skin ampoules before a big event or if your skin is having a rough go—maybe a dry spell or a serious breakout—can be a good idea. Or, you can use one or two ampoules weekly to give an added boost to your skin care routine. You could also use more targeted ampoules on specific problem areas, like your T-zone. That’s one of the amazing things about skin care ampoules in the first place—you can customize and use them as needed!

How often you use an ampoule skin care treatment will ultimately depend on your individual skin care concerns and skin type. To use the actual ampoule itself, you’ll want to follow the included instructions. Typically, this means breaking off the top of the ampoule, pouring the liquid it contains into your palms, and applying it onto your face and neck as directed. This could mean massaging the contents over your skin like you would a serum or patting the treatment liquid on like you would an essence or a toner, so read the directions before you get started. The contents inside of ampoules are typically a liquid consistency, sort of in between a serum and an essence in texture, so it could go either way. Ampoule skin sets are usually meant to be used after cleansing and toning, and before applying your serum and moisturizer.

Next, let’s learn about other global skin care trends and products. Here are 7 Icelandic Skin Care Trends and 4 German Skin Care Trends.