You know that feeling when you buy a skincare product because the packaging is "aesthetic," but then it just sits on your vanity collecting dust? Yeah, me too. But Merit changed the game for a lot of people when they dropped the Merit Great Skin Instant Glow Serum. It’s not quite an oil, it’s not exactly a traditional serum, and it’s definitely not a highlighter, yet it somehow does the job of all three. If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or Instagram lately, you’ve seen those glowy, glass-skin transitions where someone looks like they just drank three gallons of water and slept for twelve hours. Usually, this is the product they're holding.
Honestly, the skincare-makeup hybrid space is crowded. Every brand and their mother is trying to convince us that their "glow juice" is the one. But Merit took a different approach. They focused on biocompatibility.
The first thing you notice is the texture. It’s a bi-phase formula, which basically means it separates in the bottle. You have to shake it up to mix the oil and water phases before pumping it out. It’s weirdly satisfying to watch. Unlike those heavy, sticky serums that feel like you’re spreading honey on your face, this stuff is incredibly thin. It’s watery. It sinks in fast. If you hate the feeling of "product" sitting on your skin, this might be your holy grail.
What is actually inside the Merit Great Skin Instant Glow Serum?
Let’s get into the weeds because the marketing fluff doesn't tell the whole story. Merit isn't just selling you "glow"; they’re selling you barrier support. The heavy hitter here is Hyaluronic Acid, which we all know and love, but they’ve used four different weights of it. Why does that matter? Well, different molecular weights penetrate different layers of the skin. The big molecules sit on top to smooth things out, while the tiny ones dive deep to actually hydrate.
Then you’ve got Niacinamide. It’s the "everything" ingredient. It helps with redness, it brightens, and it keeps your pores from looking like craters. But the real star is the Cacao Seed Extract. This isn't just for a fancy name; cacao is rich in caffeine, which helps with blood flow. It gives you that "I just went for a light jog" look without the actual cardio.
- Japanese Goldthread Root: This is an antioxidant that helps soothe the skin. It’s a nice touch for people with sensitive faces who usually flare up when trying new actives.
- The formula is pH-balanced at around 5.5 to 6.0, which is right where your skin wants to be.
- It's non-comedogenic. This is huge. A lot of "glow" products use coconut oil or heavy esters that cause breakouts by Tuesday. Merit avoided those.
I’ve seen some people complain that it’s too oily. Here’s the thing: it’s 2% oil and 98% water-based ingredients. If it feels greasy, you’re likely using too much or your skin isn't absorbing it properly. You only need one or two pumps. Max.
The Bi-Phase Mystery: Why do we have to shake it?
The bi-phase delivery system isn't just for show. By keeping the oil and water separate until the moment of application, the brand can avoid using a ton of heavy emulsifiers. Emulsifiers are what keep a cream "creamy," but they can sometimes irritate the skin barrier. By shaking it, you’re creating a fresh emulsion every single time you use it.
It feels sophisticated.
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Most people use it right after cleansing but before moisturizer. However, if you have oily skin, you can honestly skip the moisturizer in the morning and just use this under your sunscreen. It provides enough slip for makeup to glide on but doesn't make your foundation slide off your face by lunchtime. That’s a delicate balance to strike.
Does it actually work for all skin types?
This is where the nuance comes in. If you have very dry, flaky skin, the Merit Great Skin Instant Glow Serum is going to feel like a drink of water, but you’ll still need a heavy occlusive cream on top to lock it in. It’s a hydrator, not a sealant.
On the flip side, if you have oily skin, you might be scared of anything with "glow" in the name. Don't be. Because it’s so thin, it doesn't add bulk to your skincare routine. It just makes the skin look healthy. There is a massive difference between "greasy" and "dewy," and this serum hits the dewy mark perfectly.
Let's talk about the "Instant" part of the name
Does it work instantly? Yes and no. The "glow" is instant because of the way the light reflects off the thin oil layer. It’s an optical trick. But the actual skin-brightening benefits from the Niacinamide take weeks. You aren't going to wake up with a different face after one night. Skincare is a long game.
I’ve noticed that it works best when applied to damp skin. If you’ve just patted your face dry with a towel, you’re doing it wrong. Keep your face a little misty. The hyaluronic acid needs that moisture to grab onto. Otherwise, it can actually pull moisture out of your skin if you’re in a dry environment. Physics is a pain like that.
Comparing Merit to the Competition
How does it stack up against something like the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops?
The Glow Recipe one is much thicker. It’s a gel. It’s also scented, which can be a dealbreaker for some. Merit is fragrance-free. It feels more "adult." While Glow Recipe feels like a fun K-beauty treat, Merit feels like a minimalist staple you’d find in a cool French girl's bathroom.
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Then there’s the Saie Glowy Super Gel. Saie is more of a makeup primer with skincare benefits. Merit is a skincare serum with makeup benefits. If you want high-impact shimmer, go with Saie. If you want your skin to just look like really good skin, Merit wins.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
One of the biggest mistakes people make with the Merit Great Skin serum is rubbing it in too vigorously. You want to pat it. Press it into the skin. When you rub, you can sometimes cause pilling if your previous layers haven't dried down.
Another thing: people think this replaces their vitamin C. It doesn't. Vitamin C is for protection and long-term pigment correction. Merit is for hydration and immediate radiance. You can use them together—just put the Vitamin C on first, let it sit for a minute, then follow with Merit.
"A common misconception is that glow serums are just liquid highlighters. True serums, like Merit's, work on the skin's lipid barrier, while highlighters just sit on top with mica."
There is no mica in this. No glitter. No shimmer. The shine comes from hydration and a very refined oil blend. That’s why it looks natural. It’s not "makeup-y."
The Longevity Factor
The bottle is glass. It’s heavy. It feels expensive. But does the product stay stable? Because it’s a bi-phase formula, it’s actually quite stable. The oil layer helps protect the more volatile water-soluble ingredients from oxidizing quickly. However, you still want to keep it out of direct sunlight. Don't leave it on a sunny windowsill.
One bottle will usually last you about three to four months with daily use. At its price point, that’s pretty reasonable for a high-end serum. You aren't paying for fillers.
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Real-World Results
After using it for a month, most users report that their skin feels "bouncier." That’s the hyaluronic acid doing its job. It plumps the skin cells, making fine lines look less prominent. It’s not Botox, obviously, but it’s a nice temporary fix for dehydration lines.
I’ve also seen it used over makeup. If you’re at work and your face starts looking cakey or dry around 3 PM, you can take a tiny drop, rub it between your ring fingers, and tap it onto your cheekbones. It refreshes the makeup without moving it. It’s a pro tip that makeup artists use on set all the time.
How to Integrate It Into Your Routine
If you want the best results, follow this flow. It’s simple, but the order matters.
- Cleanse: Use a gentle cleanser that doesn't strip your skin.
- Mist: Use a thermal water or a simple hydrating mist.
- The Merit Serum: Shake it up. Pump twice. Press it into the skin.
- Moisturize: (Optional if you're oily) Lock it in with a light cream.
- SPF: Never skip this. The glow won't matter if you have sun damage.
Actionable Next Steps for Better Skin
If you’re ready to try the Merit Great Skin Instant Glow Serum, don't just slather it on and hope for the best. To get that "Discover-page-worthy" skin, you need to treat the application like a ritual.
Start by exfoliating your skin once or twice a week. If you have a layer of dead skin cells sitting on the surface, no serum in the world—no matter how expensive—is going to penetrate. Use a gentle chemical exfoliant like Lactic Acid or Mandelic Acid. This clears the "pathway" for the Merit serum to actually reach the living layers of your skin.
Check your environment. If you live in a very dry climate or work in an office with heavy air conditioning, the hyaluronic acid in this serum might need a little extra help. Consider getting a small humidifier for your desk. It sounds extra, but it makes a massive difference in how "glowy" your skin stays throughout the day.
Lastly, pay attention to the "shake." Don't just give it a half-hearted wiggle. Give it a good five-second shake until the two layers are completely indistinguishable. This ensures you’re getting the exact ratio of ingredients intended by the formulators. If you don't shake it enough, you'll end up using all the water phase first, and by the time you get to the bottom of the bottle, you’ll just have a bottle of oil left.
Focus on consistency over intensity. Using this serum once won't change your life, but using it every morning for three weeks will likely result in skin that looks noticeably more resilient and hydrated. Stop looking for overnight miracles and start looking for products that support your skin’s natural functions. Merit is a solid step in that direction.