Great Skin Serum

"The step that makes your makeup look like it's trying less."
Our take

$42 Price at Merit, checked Oct 2026.

The short answer

MERIT's Great Skin Serum is a weightless, oil-free serum with four weights of hyaluronic acid, 2% niacinamide, cacao seed extract and Japanese goldthread root. It's a prep step for hydration and a brighter, calmer look under makeup. At $42 for 50 mL, it's priced like a nice daily serum.

Best for

Glass Skin

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Picked, never paid for

What it is

A weightless, oil-free serum that MERIT says visibly brightens, plumps and calms the look of redness. It absorbs in seconds and wears well under makeup. MERIT says it nearly doubles skin's moisture in five minutes.

Key ingredients: four weights of hyaluronic acid, 2% niacinamide, cacao seed extract, Japanese goldthread root
Size: 50 mL (15 mL mini also available)
Oil-free, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic
Two-phase formula, shake before use

How to use

Shake well. Massage two or three pumps into skin after cleansing and before moisturizer.

Our Take

Why it made the edit.

Why we love it: It absorbs fast with no residue, so it doesn't pill under makeup. It's fragrance-free and non-comedogenic.
Skip it if: You want a targeted serum for dark spots or lines.
The catch: It's a prep serum, so the main payoff is hydration and a smoother base. A 15 mL mini exists if you want to try it first.

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