Dermal emulsions are the latest trend in skin care

If you're looking for a lightweight skincare product that delivers deep hydration and fast results, then it's time to get familiar with emulsions! Emulsions have become a key step in Korean skincare routines and are quickly gaining popularity around the world. Why? Because they combine the benefits of both toners and creams in one simple step.In this article by Daleely Medical, we’ll explore what emulsions are, their amazing benefits, and how to use them correctly to achieve soft, calm, and radiant skin every day. Keep reading to discover your new skincare secret!

Can emulsions replace moisturizers?

Yes, emulsions can be a great alternative to traditional moisturizers, especially if you have oily or combination skin. They're lightweight and don’t add excess oil. However, if you have dry skin, it’s best to apply the emulsion under a heavier cream to get deeper hydration.

Should I use an emulsion every day?

Absolutely! You can use an emulsion daily, either in the morning or evening. It helps your skin stay hydrated and balanced throughout the day while keeping it soft and comfortable.

Where does an emulsion go in my skincare routine?

Apply your emulsion after your toner and serum, but before any heavy creams or sunscreen. This helps lock in moisture and preps your skin for the next steps in your routine.

Are emulsions good for acne-prone skin?

Definitely! Emulsions are lightweight and help balance oil and water levels in the skin, making them ideal for oily or acne-prone skin. They hydrate without clogging pores or adding extra grease.

Is an emulsion the same as a moisturizer?

Not exactly. Moisturizers are usually heavier and sit on the surface of your skin, which can sometimes make your face feel greasy or dull. Emulsions, on the other hand, are much lighter and absorb quickly. Both hydrate the skin, but they differ in texture and how they feel.

What’s the difference between an emulsion and a serum?

Serums are highly concentrated with active ingredients and target specific skin concerns like pigmentation or wrinkles. Emulsions are mainly used for hydration and balancing moisture levels. That’s why in a skincare routine, serum comes first to treat the issue, followed by emulsion to hydrate and support the serum's effects.

What is a facial emulsion?

A facial emulsion is a lightweight moisturizer, often with a watery or gel-like texture. It's much lighter than traditional creams but still hydrates and nourishes your skin. Emulsions suit all skin types because they combine hydration and treatment without feeling heavy.

How do emulsions work?

Emulsions combine two key elements: water and oil.

The water gives your skin a quick, refreshing boost of hydration.
The oil locks in that moisture, helping it last longer.

The result? Hydrated, balanced skin without the heavy or greasy feeling you get from thick creams. Emulsions give your skin a fresh, lightweight feel while still delivering essential nourishment. In short, you get the best of both worlds—moisture and care—in one easy step!

Benefits of Emulsions in Skincare

Lightweight hydration without heaviness

One of the best features of emulsions is their ability to deeply hydrate the skin without feeling heavy or greasy. Their lightweight texture allows them to absorb quickly, leaving your skin feeling fresh and comfortable all day.

Perfect for oily and acne-prone skin

If you have oily or acne-prone skin, emulsions are an excellent choice. They help balance oil and water levels in the skin, offering hydration without increasing oil production, which helps reduce the chance of breakouts and clogged pores.

Great for dry skin as an extra hydration layer

If you have dry skin, emulsions can be applied under a heavier moisturizer to add an extra layer of hydration. This helps lock in moisture throughout the day without making your skin feel sticky or overloaded.

Improves skin health

Emulsions don’t just hydrate—they also help strengthen the skin’s natural barrier and support overall skin health. Many emulsions contain soothing ingredients that reduce irritation and redness, giving your skin a calm, healthy, and radiant appearance.

Emulsion vs. Moisturizer: What’s the Difference?

Texture and consistency

Emulsions are lighter and thinner than traditional creams and moisturizers. They usually have a milk-like or lotion texture (oil in water), and they absorb quickly, leaving a soft finish. In contrast, heavy moisturizers can feel greasy or thick on the skin.

How they’re used

You can use an emulsion alone for light hydration or layer it under a heavier cream for more intense moisture. The beauty of emulsions is that they give you the flexibility to customize hydration based on your skin’s needs—without the heaviness.

How to Use Emulsions in Your Skincare Routine: Step-by-Step

1. Start with toner

Use a toner to cleanse and prep your skin by removing any remaining dirt or residue. This step helps your skin better absorb the next products.

2. Apply the emulsion gently

Take a small amount of emulsion and gently massage it into your skin. It will deliver balanced hydration and help lock in moisture.

3. Follow with a suitable moisturizer

Finish with a moisturizer to seal in hydration and protect your skin from dryness and environmental stress.

Tips for Using Emulsions Based on Skin Type

For oily skin

If you have oily skin, you might be able to skip the heavy cream and use the emulsion alone. It’s lightweight and won’t add extra oil, making it a perfect final step for balanced, shine-free hydration.

For dry skin

If your skin is dry, use the emulsion as a hydrating base layer, then follow with a richer cream to lock in moisture and prevent dryness. This combo gives you deep hydration without a heavy or greasy feel.

Top Ingredients in Emulsions for Healthy, Radiant Skin

Hyaluronic Acid

One of the most popular ingredients in emulsions is hyaluronic acid. Known for its powerful ability to attract and retain moisture, it leaves your skin soft, hydrated, and plump—without feeling heavy or greasy. Emulsions with hyaluronic acid give your skin a fresh, healthy glow that lasts all day.

Rose Water

Rose water is a beloved natural ingredient that gently soothes and hydrates the skin. It's perfect for sensitive or dry skin and helps reduce redness and irritation. Plus, it adds a naturally pleasant scent to your skincare routine, making the whole experience refreshing and calming.

Essential Vitamins

Many emulsions are packed with essential vitamins that nourish and protect the skin, including:

Vitamin B5: Boosts hydration and improves the skin’s softness and elasticity.
Vitamin C: Brightens the skin tone and protects against environmental damage thanks to its antioxidant properties.
Vitamin E: Supports the skin’s natural barrier, retains moisture, and protects from damage.

Why Choose an Emulsion with These Ingredients?

Emulsions that combine deep hydration (like hyaluronic acid), soothing nourishment (like rose water), and vitamin-rich protection give you healthier, brighter skin that’s shielded from external stressors. Using such emulsions regularly helps maintain soft, radiant, and naturally glowing skin.

How to Choose the Right Emulsion for Your Skin Type

Every skin type has its unique needs. To pick the right emulsion, focus on your skin type and the ingredients that best support it. Let’s take a look:

For Oily Skin

If your skin is oily and produces excess sebum, go for a lightweight emulsion that absorbs quickly and is free from heavy oils.
Look for ingredients like:

Niacinamide: Reduces shine and regulates oil production.
Light botanical extracts like green tea: Calm the skin and provide gentle hydration without clogging pores.
Goal: Hydration without greasiness, freshness without shine.

For Dry Skin

Got dry skin? You’ll need a more intensive hydration boost.
Key ingredients:

Glycerin: Attracts and locks in moisture.
Squalane: Nourishes the skin and reinforces its protective barrier.
Tip: Use the emulsion before your moisturizer—you’ll notice a big difference in how soft and comfortable your skin feels all day.

For Sensitive Skin

If your skin gets irritated easily or shows signs of redness and breakouts, go for gentle and calming formulas.
Look for:

Chamomile
Calendula (Marigold)
These natural ingredients help soothe inflammation, reduce redness, and make emulsions perfect for skin that needs extra care.

For Acne-Prone Skin

Struggling with breakouts or blackheads? Choose an emulsion that cleans pores without drying out your skin.
Look for:

Salicylic Acid: Clears out pores and helps treat acne.
Antibacterial extracts: Prevent breakouts and calm irritated skin.
You can use it all over your face or focus on the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) as needed.

Emulsion vs. Other Skincare Products

Many people get confused between emulsions, moisturizers, serums, and essences, though each has its own role in a skincare routine. Let’s break it down in a simple way:

Emulsion vs. Moisturizer

The main difference lies in texture and how they hydrate the skin:

Traditional Moisturizer: Heavier in consistency, ideal for very dry skin. It forms a protective layer on the skin’s surface to lock in moisture.
Emulsion: Much lighter and faster-absorbing, provides light hydration without clogging pores or leaving a greasy feeling.

Who should use which?

If you have oily or combination skin, an emulsion is your best choice.
If you have very dry skin, you can layer an emulsion under a heavier moisturizer for extra hydration.

Emulsion vs. Serum

The difference here is in concentration and purpose:

Serum: Very lightweight and contains high concentrations of active ingredients (like Vitamin C or Retinol). It’s used to target specific skin concerns, such as pigmentation or wrinkles.
Emulsion: Combines hydration with beneficial ingredients, but in lower concentrations than serums. It nourishes and hydrates gently.

Which comes first?
Always apply serum first, as it’s thinner and needs to penetrate the skin. Once absorbed, follow up with an emulsion to lock in the benefits and add moisture.

Emulsion vs. Essence

Both are lightweight, but each plays a different role:

Essence: Very watery and thin. Its main job is to prep the skin and enhance absorption of the next skincare steps.
Emulsion: Thicker and more hydrating than essence. It contains more nourishing ingredients and adds light moisturization.

Order in your routine:

Essence
Serum (if using)
Emulsion
Moisturizer (if you need an extra layer)

Quick Summary Table

Product	Texture	Main Function	Best For
Essence	Very lightweight	Prepares skin	All skin types
Serum	Thin & liquid	Targets specific concerns	Depends on skin concern
Emulsion	Light & hydrating	Hydration + gentle nourishment	Oily, combination, sensitive skin
Moisturizer	Thicker	Locks in moisture, deep hydration	Dry or tired skin

What Are the Side Effects of Emulsions on Your Skin?

Emulsions are generally designed to moisturize and support healthy skin, but in some cases, they can cause problems—especially if they’re used incorrectly or contain ingredients that don’t suit your skin type. Let’s break it down:

1. Clogged pores and breakouts
Some emulsions contain heavy oils or comedogenic ingredients that can block pores and lead to acne, especially if you have oily or acne-prone skin.
Solution: Choose lightweight, oil-free emulsions, and look for "non-comedogenic" on the label.

2. Irritation and sensitivity
If your emulsion contains artificial fragrances or strong preservatives, it might trigger redness, burning, or irritation—especially for sensitive skin types.
Solution: Go for emulsions labeled for sensitive skin and avoid those with alcohol, parabens, or strong perfumes.

3. Dryness instead of hydration
Some emulsions lack deep moisturizing agents. If used alone, especially on dry skin, they might not provide enough hydration and could leave your skin feeling tight.
Solution: For dry skin, use the emulsion as a light layer before applying a richer moisturizer.

4. Interaction with other products
Certain ingredients in emulsions may not work well with other products like serums or creams, causing pilling or a sticky feeling on the skin.
Solution: Introduce new products one at a time and always patch test before regular use.

5. Negative effects from poor storage or expired products
Like any skincare product, if emulsions are exposed to heat or used past their expiration date, the formula might break down and harm your skin.
Solution: Store your emulsion in a cool, dry place and always check the expiration date.

6. Over-relying on emulsions
If you use an emulsion as your only moisturizer, especially when your skin needs deeper nourishment, your skin barrier might weaken over time, leading to dryness or flakiness.
Solution: Treat emulsions as part of a full skincare routine—not a replacement for richer moisturizers when needed.

7. Unwanted brightening or darkening
Some emulsions contain active ingredients like vitamin C or mild acids. If used without sunscreen, they may cause pigmentation issues or irritation when exposed to sunlight.
Solution: Always wear sunscreen if your emulsion contains active ingredients.

8. Product buildup on the skin
Applying your emulsion too soon after other steps (like serums or essences) may lead to "pilling"—tiny product balls that roll off your skin.
Solution: Wait a minute or two between each skincare step to let your skin absorb the product properly.

9. Worsening of skin conditions
If you have skin conditions like eczema or rosacea, some emulsions may worsen redness or irritation due to active ingredients.
Solution: Consult a dermatologist before using a new emulsion if you have a chronic skin condition.

10. Overuse problems
Using your emulsion too often (like 4–5 times a day) might overwhelm your skin, making it overly reliant and less capable of moisturizing itself.
Solution: Stick to using it once or twice a day based on your skin’s needs.