Merit Great Skin Serum Review: Dewy Base Booster for Minimal Makeup Days

Looking for a quick way to make your skin look fresh, hydrated, and lit from within with almost no makeup? We tested Merit Great Skin to see if this bi-phase serum really delivers an instant, dewy base that plays well with sunscreen and skin tints.

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Overview

Merit Great Skin Instant Glow Serum is a bi-phase, shake-to-activate formula designed to deliver an immediate, glossy glow with skincare benefits that support an easy, minimal makeup routine. The water phase leans on humectants like glycerin and multi-weight hyaluronic acid to draw in moisture, while the oil phase uses lightweight emollients such as squalane to lock it in and give skin that soft-focus sheen. You also get barrier-friendly niacinamide and antioxidant-rich plant extracts that help skin look calmer and more even over time.

Think of this as a skincare-primer hybrid. It visibly plumps and smooths so that skin tints, tinted moisturizers, or even just concealer glide on without grabbing at dry patches. If you want major treatment results for concerns like deep hyperpigmentation or acne, this is not your all-in-one solution. If you want an instant, consistent glow with minimal effort, it shines.

The packaging is a clear glass bottle with a pump. You can see the two phases separated until you shake them together, which is both practical and satisfying. There is no heavy fragrance and no lingering perfume-like scent once applied, which makes it easier to use daily without clashing with other products.

Merit positions the formula as clean, vegan, and cruelty-free. While those terms have different meanings for different shoppers, the texture, finish, and ease of use are the reasons this serum has become a routine staple for people who want a fast route to healthy-looking skin.

Who it’s for

Great Skin is ideal for anyone who prefers a quick, low-effort routine and a dewy finish. It is especially helpful if you use skin tints or light-coverage base products and want them to apply more evenly without settling into dryness or fine lines.

By skin type:

• Dry: A strong match. The humectants and light oils help replenish bounce and keep makeup from looking flaky. You may still want a moisturizer underneath in colder months.
• Normal: Sweet spot. Many normal-skin users can skip separate moisturizer in the morning and go straight from this serum to sunscreen.
• Combination: Use 1 to 2 pumps and keep most of it to the cheeks and high points. Blot or lightly powder the T-zone if you get midday shine.
• Oily: Approach as a targeted glow booster. One small pump on high points can look healthy without turning greasy. Pair with a mattifying sunscreen if needed.
• Sensitive: There is no strong fragrance profile, and the texture is gentle. Even so, patch test first since niacinamide and botanical extracts can be reactive for a small subset of sensitive skin.

By lifestyle:

• Minimal makeup lovers: If your routine is sunscreen, a bit of concealer, and a brow, this gives that extra polish that reads as well-rested without looking made up.
• On-camera or Zoom days: The serum adds bounce and a subtle reflect that reads fresh on camera, especially under soft lighting.
• Travelers and busy parents: The single step creates a base that makes whatever you layer next go on faster and look better.

How it feels and performs

Texture is the headline here. After a good shake, the serum dispenses as a thin, silky fluid that spreads fast and evenly. It initially feels watery with a hint of slip, then settles into a cushy, dewy layer within two to three minutes. There is a touch of tack during the first minute that helps makeup grip, which later eases into a comfortable, plush finish.

Finish: Expect a dewy, glassy look that is noticeable yet sheer. It does not provide the silicone-heavy blur you would get from a traditional matte primer. Instead, it gives a healthy sheen that bounces light and softens the appearance of dryness. If you use too much, the shine can tip into glossy, especially on oilier areas. Start small and build.

Under sunscreen: The serum layers cleanly under most gel-cream and lotion sunscreens when you allow a short dry-down. If you rush, you may disrupt the sunscreen film, and you increase the chance of pilling. Allow the serum to set for 3 to 5 minutes before sunscreen, then let sunscreen set for another 3 to 5 before applying makeup.

Under makeup: Skin tints, tinted moisturizers, and light foundations sit beautifully on top. The serum helps prevent patchiness and keeps base products from clinging to rough spots. With fuller coverage or silicone-heavy formulas, it is still workable, but the risk of pilling goes up if you pile on layers. Using thinner layers and pressing makeup into the skin rather than aggressively rubbing helps a lot.

Longevity: On normal to dry skin, the glow holds for 6 to 8 hours with minimal touchups. Combination and oily skin types often prefer a midday blot or a light powder around the nose and forehead. In humid climates, use a smaller amount and concentrate on the perimeter of the face.

How it looks on texture: Because the glow is real, not matte, it will not blur pores the way a soft-focus primer can. It does not exaggerate texture when used sparingly, but if you over-apply, shine can draw attention to pores. Controlled placement and thin layers are your friend.

Scent and feel over time: There is no strong, lingering scent. Once fully set, it feels lightweight and flexible, never tight or sticky. It wears well with glasses and masks without sliding off, although you may notice a bit more transfer if you use a heavy skin tint on top.

How to use for best results

For morning routines that include sunscreen and makeup, order and timing matter. Here is a reliable method that keeps everything in place and minimizes pilling:

1. Cleanse and apply any water-based treatments first. Vitamin C serums or toners should go on clean skin.
2. Shake Merit Great Skin for 5 to 10 seconds until the phases look unified.
3. Dispense 1 to 3 pumps based on skin type. Oily skin: start with 1 small pump. Normal: 1 to 2. Dry: 2 to 3.
4. Apply to slightly damp skin for best slip and absorption. Warm the serum between your fingers and press it over the face, starting at the cheeks and moving outward. Avoid rubbing vigorously.
5. Let it set for 3 to 5 minutes. You want the surface to feel dewy, not wet.
6. Moisturizer is optional. Add a light layer only where you run dry. If you need moisturizer, choose a thin, non-silicone-heavy formula and keep layers sheer.
7. Apply sunscreen generously. Use a pat-and-glide motion and give it another 3 to 5 minutes to set. Do not mix the serum into your sunscreen.
8. Finish with makeup. Skin tints and light foundations pair especially well. Press product on with fingertips or a damp sponge for the smoothest blend. Set the T-zone with a small amount of translucent powder if you prefer a more balanced finish.

Application tips based on goals:

• Minimal makeup day: 1 to 2 pumps of Great Skin, sunscreen, a touch of concealer where needed, cream blush, and brow. Optional: tap a half pump of the serum on cheekbones to refresh glow midday.
• Mix-in method: Mix a half pump of Great Skin into your skin tint or light foundation for more slip and radiance. This can thin coverage slightly, so adjust your base accordingly.
• High-point placement: For oily or combination skin, apply only to the high points of the face. Skip the center of the forehead and around the nose.
• Pilling prevention: Keep layers thin, let each step set, and avoid stacking several silicone-rich products in the same routine. If a product pills with Great Skin, try reversing the order or removing one layer.
• Cold or dry weather: Use a hydrating toner or essence first, apply Great Skin, then seal with a light moisturizer before sunscreen.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Instant dewy glow that makes bare skin look fresh in seconds.
• Pros: Lightweight texture that layers well and does not feel greasy once set.
• Pros: Creates a smoother canvas so skin tints and concealer apply more evenly.
• Pros: Fragrance profile is minimal, which is helpful for sensitive noses.
• Pros: Versatile usage from all-over base to targeted high-point highlight.
• Pros: Vegan and cruelty-free formula in a glass bottle that feels premium.

• Cons: Can look too shiny on oily skin if you use more than a pump.
• Cons: May pill with heavy silicone products or if you rush layering.
• Cons: Not a strong corrective treatment for major discoloration or acne.
• Cons: Pump can dispense more than needed, and the thin texture runs easily.
• Cons: Glass packaging is weighty and less ideal for travel or a gym bag.
• Cons: Requires wait time before sunscreen and makeup for best results.

Final verdict

Merit Great Skin does exactly what it promises. It gives skin an instant, plush glow and makes minimal makeup days look intentional instead of hurried. The bi-phase formula is thoughtfully balanced so it feels thin and fluid going on, then settles into a hydrated sheen that flatters light-coverage products. If you love a skin tint or you want your bare skin to look more polished on camera and in person, this serum is a strong match.

There are trade-offs. If you prefer a matte finish, or if you rely on silicone-heavy long-wear foundations, you may find the shine and potential for pilling less than ideal. And while there are supportive actives inside, this is not the product to anchor a corrective routine. Treat it as a glow-boosting base that makes everything else in your morning lineup work better and faster.

Bottom line: For normal to dry skin types and anyone curating a quick, low-fuss routine, Merit Great Skin is an easy yes. Combination skin can make it work beautifully with smart placement and a touch of powder. Oily skin should use a light hand and keep the glow to the high points. Used thoughtfully, it delivers that coveted healthy skin look with almost no effort.

See also

If your skin is reactive or easily flushed, you may want to pair Great Skin with gentler staples from our guide to the Best Skin Serums for Sensitive Skin. For brightening and tone-evening under your glow, our picks for the Best Vitamin C Serums can help you decide what to layer in, and our explainer on Tinted Moisturizer vs Skin Tint will help you choose the right base for your preferred finish and coverage.

Trying to balance shine and hydration with a dewy serum? Our roundup of the Best Moisturizer for Combination Skin offers light, non-clogging options, and the Best Hybrid (Mineral + Chemical) Sunscreens for Normal Skin highlights SPFs that sit smoothly over serums without a heavy feel.

FAQ

Does Merit Great Skin replace moisturizer?

It can for some people, but not everyone. Normal to slightly dry skin types often find that 1 to 2 pumps provide enough hydration to skip a separate moisturizer in the morning. If your skin feels tight after it sets or you are in a dry climate, layer a light moisturizer over it before sunscreen. Keep layers thin to avoid pilling.

Where does Great Skin go in a routine with sunscreen and makeup?

Apply it after your water-based treatments and before sunscreen. Give it 3 to 5 minutes to set, then apply sunscreen and let that set before makeup. Do not mix it into your sunscreen. If you use a skin tint, press it on rather than rubbing to keep the layers intact.

Will Merit Great Skin make oily skin look greasy?

It can if you over-apply. Start with a single small pump and place it on the high points of the face instead of the T-zone. Pair with a more matte or balanced sunscreen, and powder lightly where you get shine. This approach keeps the healthy glow without tipping into greasy territory.

Can I use Great Skin with vitamin C or retinoids?

Yes. Vitamin C serums generally layer well underneath Great Skin as long as you apply thinly and let each step absorb. At night, you can use retinoids in a separate routine without conflict. As with any mix of actives, patch test and listen to your skin if you notice redness or sensitivity.

Does Merit Great Skin have fragrance or cause irritation?

There is no strong, lingering fragrance, and it is formulated without a heavy perfume-like scent. That said, the serum contains actives like niacinamide and botanical extracts that can bother a small percentage of sensitive users. If you are reactive, patch test on the jawline for several days before applying widely.

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