Do you just use lotion, milk, and serum without thinking about it?
"What's the difference between lotion and serum?" "Do I have to use lotion?" "
Surprisingly, there are many people who continue to do their skin care in their own way like this.
However, lotion, serum, and emulsion each have different roles, and the order and method in which they are used can make a big difference in their effectiveness.
Taking care of your skin properly and naturally is the shortcut to beautiful skin.
In this article, we will carefully explain the basic steps of skin care, as well as the roles and how to choose lotion, serum, and emulsion.
Review your daily skin care routine now so you can feel confident.

スキンケアの基本ステップと正しい順番
正しいスキンケアの順番は「洗顔 → (導入美容液) → 化粧水 → 美容液 → 乳液またはクリーム」です。洗顔直後に、化粧水の浸透を後押ししてくれるブースターの役割を果たす導入美容液を使うこともおすすめ。
これらは肌の構造に基づいており、それぞれの役割を最大限に発揮するための基本となります。
化粧水で肌をやわらかくし、水分を与えたあと、美容液で集中ケア。最後に乳液やクリームでうるおいを閉じ込めて、バリア機能を保ちます。
スキンケアの基本を理解し、正しい順番でケアを行うことが、美肌を保つための重要なポイントです。
化粧水の役割とは?肌に水分を与えて整える“土台作り”
化粧水は、洗顔後の肌に水分を補給し、美容成分を受け入れやすい状態に整えるスキンケアの土台です。乾燥を防ぐだけでなく、次に使う美容液の効果を高める導入の役割も担います。
【化粧水の選び方のポイント】
・乾燥肌:ヒアルロン酸やセラミド入りで保湿力が高いもの
・脂性肌:収れん作用のあるさっぱりタイプ
・敏感肌:アルコールフリー、無香料など低刺激設計
【化粧水の使い方】
化粧水はコットンまたは手のひらで優しく肌に押し込むようになじませましょう。複数回に分けて重ねづけすることで、よりうるおいが浸透しやすくなります。
美容液の役割と選び方|肌悩みに合わせた集中ケア
美容液は、肌悩みにピンポイントでアプローチする集中ケアアイテムです。美白、エイジングケア、毛穴対策、乾燥対策など、それぞれの目的に合わせた成分が高濃度で配合されています。
スキンケアの中でも「投資する価値がある」と言われるのは、美容液の効果実感が得られやすいから。肌悩みが気になる方は、化粧水と美容液の見直しから始めてみるとよいでしょう。
【美容液の選び方】
・美白ケア:ビタミンC誘導体、トラネキサム酸
・エイジングケア:レチノール、ナイアシンアミド、ペプチド
・毛穴・皮脂ケア:グリコール酸、サリチル酸、ビタミンB6
【使い方のポイント】
化粧水の後、肌がしっとりしているうちに美容液をなじませるのがベストです。肌の奥(角質層)まで成分を届けるよう、指の腹で優しくプレスするのがコツです。
乳液とクリームの違いと役割|スキンケアの仕上げは保湿の“ふた”
乳液とクリームは、肌にふたをして水分の蒸発を防ぐ保湿アイテムです。化粧水や美容液で与えたうるおいを閉じ込め、肌のバリア機能をサポートします。
「乳液とクリーム、どちらを使えばいい?」と迷う方も多いですが、肌質や季節によって使い分けるのがおすすめです。
【乳液とクリームの違い】
・乳液:水分と油分のバランスが取れた、みずみずしい保湿剤。軽い仕上がり。
・クリーム:油分が多く、乾燥が気になるときに適したリッチな保湿剤。
【おすすめの使い分け】
・春夏:乳液中心で軽やかな保湿を
・秋冬:クリームでしっかり保湿+保護
・インナードライ肌:乳液とクリームの重ね使いでバランスを
+αのスキンケア|美肌に近づく「ちょい足し」テクニック
「いつものスキンケアでは物足りない」「もっと肌を育てたい」という方には、+αのスペシャルケアがおすすめです。
アイテムを賢く取り入れることで、肌の変化を感じやすくなります。
【おすすめのちょい足しアイテム】
・ブースター美容液(導入美容液):化粧水の前に使って浸透力を高める
・美容オイル:肌のうるおい保持力をアップ。ナイトケアにも◎
・美顔器:リフトアップや毛穴引き締めをサポート
【美肌を育てるゴールデンタイム】
夜の22時〜2時は“肌のゴールデンタイム”とも言われ、再生が最も活発な時間帯です。夜のスキンケアこそ丁寧に取り組むことで、翌朝の肌に差がつきます。
FAQs
For those new to skin care or those who don't have much time, we often hear people say, "I don't know where to start."
The bare minimum you need is a lotion and a moisturizer (lotion or cream).
Furthermore, if you have skin concerns (pores, dullness, dryness), adding a beauty serum will make it easier to feel the effects of your skin care.
Example: In the morning when you want to save time → lotion + milky lotion
Example: At night when rough skin or pores are a concern → lotion + serum + cream
The question, "Should I use a serum in my morning skincare routine?" is a highly popular search topic.
In conclusion, using a beauty serum in the morning can help protect your skin from UV rays and dryness during the day. In particular, beauty serums containing vitamin C derivatives and niacinamide are effective in brightening the skin tone and treating dullness.
For your morning skincare routine, we recommend a serum with a light texture like the one below.
- Vitamin C serum (UV protection + anti-dullness)
- Serum containing hyaluronic acid (for firmness and dryness)
Use the beauty serum after applying lotion.
The question, "How do skin care methods differ between people in their 20s and 40s?" is an SEO keyword that is directly linked to skin concerns of each generation.
It is very important to review your skin care routine according to your age.
Skin care tips for people in their 20s:
・Beware of dryness and acne caused by poor lifestyle habits
・Focus on basic moisturizing + UV protection
Simple care is OK
Skin care tips for those in their 30s and 40s:
・You start to worry about lack of firmness, sagging, and dullness
・Incorporate "aging care items" such as beauty serums and eye creams
・You can also revitalize your skin with special care once or twice a week.
The key to maintaining beautiful skin for a long time is to adjust the ingredients and amounts used to suit changes in your skin.
The order in which you use your skincare products has a big impact on how efficiently they are absorbed into the skin. If you use your products in the wrong order, you may not get the full effect of your skincare products.
The correct basic steps are:
- Facial wash (remove unwanted dirt)
- Toner (softens and conditions the skin)
- Serum (intensive care)
- Emulsion or cream (moisturizing and barrier)
In particular, if you use your skin in the wrong order, such as serum first, then lotion, the beauty ingredients may not penetrate your skin as easily. To maximize the effect of your skin care, it is important to follow the basic order.
There are days when it's difficult to use a full line of skin care products, such as busy mornings or tired nights. Even on those days, you should still take the minimum steps to protect your skin.
Recommended time-saving skin care examples:
- Just lotion and moisturizing cream is fine
- Keep a spray-type mist lotion on hand
The trick to protecting your skin is to "not aim for perfection, but to moisturize to the minimum extent."
The style of flexibly switching up your skin care routine depending on when you can and can't do it is a beauty skin habit that suits the modern era.

Understand the basics of skin care to develop beautiful skin
By understanding the role of each lotion, serum, and emulsion, and using them correctly according to your skin type, age, and season, you can bring out your skin's natural power.
Before you give up and think that your skin will never change, the first step to beautiful skin is to review the basics of skin care and how you use it.
Why not start today with skin care that suits your skin?
Basic daily care is the most important thing.
Recommended items from Manabis cosmetics
lotion
Medicated emollient lotion EX
Classic best-selling item
¥5,500
Makes your skin feel fresher after washing your face.
The fine mist blends comfortably,
A mist-type lotion that refines the skin texture.
medicated whitening lotion
For those who want both moisture and transparency
¥5,500
Protects against dryness caused by UV rays and blue light, and prevents rough skin.
Intensive care lotion.
beauty serum
flora first serum
An introduction serum specializing in beautiful skin bacteria
¥7,700
Focusing on the balance between skin-beautifying bacteria and normal skin bacteria, which holds the key to health,
A beauty serum to use immediately after washing your face.
lift serum
A special serum that refines the skin texture
¥5,500
Contains a luxurious blend of four types of hyaluronic acid.
It also contains several beauty ingredients,
Once absorbed, you will feel a fine, firm sensation.
Medicated whitening essence EX
A whitening serum that gives you smooth, translucent skin
¥5,500
Vitamin C derivatives and dipotassium glycyrrhizinate, etc.
Contains several reliable moisturizing ingredients
Medicinal Aging Care Essence Set
Moisturize and firm your skin as it changes every day
¥5,800
For beautiful, supple, elastic skin. A non-prescription wrinkle-improving essence containing the active ingredient niacinamide.
emulsion
Medicinal Moisture Gel Set
A moisturizing lotion that's a hot topic on social media
¥6,000
For skin that reduces the appearance of fine lines caused by dryness.
A gel-type moisturizing liquid that helps the skin's barrier function.
Medicinal Restore Gel Set
A milky lotion that provides a good balance of moisture and oil.
¥6,000
It feels light on the skin, yet moisturizing.
It also contains tranexamic acid, an active whitening ingredient.
cream
medicated wrinkle gel
For beautiful, supple, elastic skin
¥5,500
It's rich but not sticky.
As if wrapping you in a smooth veil,
A cream that locks in moisture.
Cream F
Aging cream containing fullerene
¥5,500
It's never too early to start. For skin that is moisturized and radiant, with fine lines caused by dryness less noticeable.
Medicinal Aging Care Cream Set
Intense firmness and rich moisture
¥5,900
Supports skin that changes with age, such as loss of collagen production and firmness and elasticity.
Be sure to check out the TRIAL series too.
Beautiful Skin Bacteria Trial Set
Popular skin care products focusing on the popular "beautiful skin bacteria"
¥3,000
Flora series: Mini size set of "First Serum" and "Skin Care Oil"
Manavis Trial Set
For beginners, please start here
¥2,150
Standard items "Medicated Skin Wash", "Medicated Skin Mask", and "Medicated Emollient Lotion" in mini sizes, with a foaming net for washing
Moisturizing Set
For those who want beautiful, moisturized skin
¥2,300
A mini-sized set of the long-selling "Emollient Lotion," "Moisture Gel," and "Wrinkle Gel"
Whitening Set
A must-try for anyone looking to whiten their skin
¥2,150
A mini-sized set of the popular "Whitening Essence," "Whitening Lotion," and "Restore Gel"