Did you know that Ricky Martin uses ampoules in his morning skincare routine? He’s not the only one, according to celebrity estheticians like Josie Holmes and Natalie Aguilar. But it’s not just actors and musicians who are relying on ampoules to revive tired, stressed skin. People around the world have begun boosting their regular moisturizer with an extra dose of concentrated serum.

That’s what the best ampoules for skin are for. They’re intensive, short-term treatments for correcting blemishes, smoothing fine lines, and reviving dehydrated skin. It’s okay to use an ampoule every day for a week or two, or even up to a month to rebalance your complexion. Check the directions to find the recommended usage.

When to use an ampoule in your skincare routine

We checked to see what a board-certified dermatologist said about when to use an ampoule. Dr. Zain Husain of the New Jersey Dermatology and Aesthetics Center discussed ampoules in the context of a traditional Korean skincare routine. He recommended cleansing, toning, and putting on essence first. Then use the ampoule followed by a moisturizer.

However, some ampoules are designed to be used both morning and night. (Check out the Vichy LiftActiv ampoule in the reviews below).

What are the benefits of using an ampoule vs. a serum?

Typically, ampoules are packaged in individual doses. Most come in glass vials with just enough product for one application on the face and neck. Compare that to serums which usually come in a glass vial with a dropper.

Ampoules offer an individual treatment with extra-concentrated, active ingredients each time. On the other hand, serums gradually break down with repeated exposure to air and sunlight.

In other words, ampoules provide a more intense dose that’s likely to be fresher and more potent.

How to use an ampoule for skin?

After you’ve cleansed, toned, and put on essence (if you use it), the hardest part is opening the glass vial without cutting yourself. Read the directions on the packaging first. Most likely, it will suggest tapping the top of the vial to release any product trapped there. Then, it may say to wrap a tissue around the neck before snapping the top off. If the vial has enough for two doses, it will come with a replaceable lid.

You’ll see what you mean when you view the best ampoules for the face:

The best ampoules for skin	Why we love them
BABOR Hydra Plus Ampoule	Provides an instant increase in hydration Can be used for seven days or up to twenty-one days in a row to plump dry skin Plenty of serum for the face, neck, and décolleté in each vial Other customized ampoules for various concerns made in Germany by the same brand
Vichy LiftActiv Peptide-C Ampoule	Vitamin C ampoule with hyaluronic acid and phyto peptides for firm, plump skin Creates a radiant, dewy complexion No artificial fragrances, alcohol, parabens, silicone, oil, or preservatives
ISDIN Pigment Expert Brightening and Dark Spot Serum with Glycolic Acid	Corrects hyperpigmentation at the source and exfoliates, too Promotes an even-toned complexion with firmer skin Resealable vial and applicator tip Stays fresh up to forty-eight hours after opening
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule	Pure Centella asiatica extract serum Hydrates and heals the skin Reduces redness and calms oil production
COSRX Propolis Ampoule	Highly concentrated black propolis ampoule cures stressed skin Suitable for all skin types EWG Green Grade formula with no toxins Cruelty-free brand
BABOR Active Purifier Ampoule	Tea tree serum that's proven to get rid of blemishes and blackheads Visible results within a week, dramatic results after twenty-eight days No micro-plastics and no parabens
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Intensive Recovery Ampoules	Proven to calm and smooth skin overnight Evens out the complexion, leaving the face radiant Packed with botanicals
Mizon Snail Repair Intensive Ampoule	One of the best Korean ampoules with 80% snail mucin Promotes soft, relaxed skin with more elasticity Tested for sensitive skin, it contains no parabens, fragrance, or dyes

Best Ampoules for Skin in 2023

BABOR Hydra Plus Ampoule

Let’s start with a hydrating ampoule that fixes dry skin in a matter of days. Even better, you’re likely to notice a positive difference by the following morning.

It doesn’t matter if the skin is dehydrated from acne meds, harsh weather, or too many late nights. The ampoule leaves the face plump and soft, smoothing fine lines and creating a dewy appearance.

One seven-day series of treatments should be enough to restore the skin to health. But don’t hesitate to use ampoule daily for up to twenty-one days in a row if needed.

Reviewers say there’s plenty of serum for the face, neck, and décolleté. Some users may be able to get two doses out of a single tube. It won’t leave the skin greasy cause it to break out – it’s simply soothing.

The formula features prebiotics and probiotics, hyaluronic acid, and pentavin, which helps the skin retain hydration for up to seventy-two hours.

The German brand also makes a variety of other ampoules to address concerns like hyperpigmentation and sagging skin.

Pros:

• Provides an instant increase in hydration
• Can be used for seven days or up to twenty-one days in a row to plump dry skin
• Plenty of serum for the face, neck, and décolleté in each vial
• Other customized ampoules for various concerns made in Germany by the same brand

Cons:

• None

Vichy LiftActiv Peptide-C Ampoule

My team agrees that the best ampoule for glowing skin has to contain vitamin C. There’s something about this singular ingredient that leaves the complexion radiant and more even-toned.

Although there are several vitamin C ampoules on the market, we like this one from Vichy. Not only is it allergy-tested by dermatologists, but it’s also free of artificial fragrances, parabens, silicone, alcohol, oil, and preservatives. The 10% concentration of vitamin C means that it’s mild enough for all skin types, even sensitive faces. It doesn’t sting or burn as higher concentrations do.

The ten-ingredient formula also has phyto peptides and hyaluronic acid to firm and plump the skin. But don’t forget the mineral-rich volcanic water found in all of Vichy’s products.

Is there a downside? The only challenge we found is the watery consistency makes it hard to control as it’s being applied. Even though the vials are easy to open, it’s a little tricky to divide the product into two doses so it can be used both morning and night.

Pros:

• Vitamin C ampoule with hyaluronic acid and phyto peptides for firm, plump skin
• Creates a radiant, dewy complexion
• No artificial fragrances, alcohol, parabens, silicone, oil, or preservatives

Cons:

• Watery consistency
• Formula must be divided into two doses (comes with a replaceable cap)

ISDIN Pigment Expert Brightening and Dark Spot Serum with Glycolic Acid

Here’s the best ampoule for hyperpigmentation, especially if you’re between 35 to 65 years of age. It takes into account the fact that collagen production slows down as the years pass. It features glycolic acid plus a pigment-correcting formula.

The former is an alpha-hydroxy acid that gently exfoliates dead skin to fade age spots and acne scars. And the latter is a blend of butyl resorcinol and niacinamide to fix redness and discoloration at the source. Both ingredients are boosted with licorice root to keep the skin calm and moisturized.

Each ampoule has a resealable cap and an applicator tip. Once you use half the product, seal the ampoule and it will stay fresh for up to forty-eight hours. (That’s super helpful if your skin is sensitive and you can’t tolerate two treatments a day).

You should also know that this ampoule is made for the long haul. It takes as long as four weeks for it to correct dark spots. But it may take as long as six months for dramatic results.

Pros:

• Corrects hyperpigmentation at the source and exfoliates, too
• Promotes an even-toned complexion with firmer skin
• Resealable vial and applicator tip
• Stays fresh up to forty-eight hours after opening

Cons:

• Takes anywhere from four weeks to six months to erase dark spots

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule

Is there an ampoule for acne-prone skin? Yes, of course, and here’s one of them now. It consists of pure Centella asiatica extract, also known as cica, gotu kola, or tiger grass. It has medicinal properties that heal the skin and keep it hydrated.

It’s extra gentle for sensitive skin, even for people with rosacea. It has an interesting side effect. Not only does it clear up and prevent breakouts, but it also keeps oil production under control. Some say it fades acne scars, too.

Reviewers saw that they had calmer, softer skin with less redness and irritation after using the ampoule.

Pros:

• Pure Centella asiatica extract serum
• Hydrates and heals the skin
• Reduces redness and calms oil production

Cons:

• None

COSRX Propolis Ampoule

It’s described as an ampoule but this concentrated serum comes in a bottle with a dropper. It features 83.25% propolis extract. Specifically, it’s black propolis from black bees and it’s especially good for curing stressed, reddened skin. It’s bolstered with a dash of hyaluronic acid, panthenol, and arginine (an amino acid).

We love the formula as it has only eleven ingredients and all of them are EWG Green Grade and safe. Anyone with any skin type can enjoy it. Moreover, this clean beauty brand is also cruelty-free.

You’ll need about half a dropper of serum to cover the face and neck. It absorbs quickly and dries to a natural finish.

Pros:

• Highly concentrated black propolis ampoule cures stressed skin
• Suitable for all skin types
• EWG Green Grade formula with no toxins
• Cruelty-free brand

Cons:

• None

BABOR Active Purifier Ampoule

Yes, it has denatured alcohol in it, but don’t let that stop you from trying it if you have oily skin or an acne-prone complexion. The key ingredient is tea tree oil, a natural antimicrobial that clears up acne and dandruff. (Unfortunately, some people have dandruff on their faces).

Each single-use ampoule shrinks pimples and calms inflammation in a matter of hours. Use it daily and after a week, you’ll see fewer blemishes. After twenty-eight days, nearly half the users in a clinical trial had fewer blackheads as well.

By the way, this brand ensures that its products are developed without micro-plastics.

Pros:

• Tea tree serum that’s proven to get rid of blemishes and blackheads
• Visible results within a week, dramatic results after twenty-eight days
• No micro-plastics and no parabens

Cons:

• Not alcohol-free

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Intensive Recovery Ampoules

Estee Lauder asked more than five hundred women to try these ampoules at bedtime. By the very next morning, 92% of them woke up with calmer, smoother skin that looked downright healthy and radiant.

What’s the magic inside? The formula has ChronoluxAI Technology to soothe irritation and even skin tone. It’s overflowing with botanicals like chamomile, and rosemary, plus kukui seed, apricot kernel, and bilberry seed oils.

Even though this brand has an excellent reputation, we recommend reading the label if you are allergic to any trees or flowers.

Pros:

• Proven to calm and smooth skin overnight
• Evens out the complexion, leaving the face radiant
• Packed with botanicals

Cons:

• Has BHT (a preservative)

Mizon Snail Repair Intensive Ampoule

Which is the best Korean ampoule? Thousands of reviewers would vote for this one. It’s fragrance-free and hydrating for sensitive skin, even acne-prone complexions. Users say it makes their skin feel great and even seems to prevent breakouts.

It’s not a typical ampoule in that it’s packed like a serum in an amber glass bottle with a dropper. However, it’s a concentrated formula with 80% snail secretion extract. The mucin gives it a cool and viscous texture that feels ever so soothing for the few seconds it takes to absorb.

Other ingredients include hyaluronic acid, cocoa seed, peptides, and licorice root. Not to worry, the formula is dermatologist-tested for sensitive skin and free of artificial colors and parabens.

Pros:

• One of the best Korean ampoules with 80% snail mucin
• Promotes soft, relaxed skin with more elasticity
• Tested for sensitive skin, it contains no parabens, fragrance, or dyes

Cons:

• Contains alcohol

Conclusion

If you’re not satisfied with your skin’s health, improve it with an ampoule. Add this extra-concentrated serum to your skincare routine and treat dryness, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and acne.

We hope our reviews helped you discover your new favorite skincare product today. If you’re happy with the results, we’d love to hear about your experience. Feel free to leave us a comment below.