Dr. Melaxin Order of Use: AM and PM Routine Layering

The Dr. Melaxin order of use follows one simple rule: rinse-off products first, then the thinnest leave-on textures, then the richest, with sunscreen last in the morning. In practice that means cleanser, Peel Shot (evenings only, a few times a week), toner, ampoule or serum, eye product, cream, then balm or sunscreen.

Where people get confused is with the brand’s unusual formats: a jelly serum that sprays, a balm stick, spicule serums that tingle, hydrogel patches and a tinted eye cream. This guide places each one in the right step and shows which products should not share the same evening. It is about order and layering only; for what each line does, see Dr. Melaxin products: the full range explained.

The layering rules behind every Dr. Melaxin routine

1. Rinse-off before leave-on. Peel Shot ampoules and the Kojic Acid Turmeric gel are massaged onto dry, clean skin and rinsed away before anything else goes on.
2. Water-thin to thick. Toner, then mist or ampoule, then cream, then balm. Oils and waxes on top seal in what is underneath; putting a balm first blocks lighter layers.
3. Targeted before general. Spot-focused products (Necklinephalt on neck lines, a second layer of serum on dark spots) go on before the all-over cream.
4. One strong active per night. Exfoliating gels, spicule serums and retinoids each count as a strong step. Alternate them rather than stacking them.
5. Sunscreen ends the morning. Brightening and exfoliating routines are wasted without daily broad-spectrum protection.

Where each Dr. Melaxin product goes

Step	Product type	Dr. Melaxin examples	AM / PM
1	Cleanser	Any gentle cleanser (the brand also makes a TX-Serum Cleanser)	AM and PM
2	Rinse-off exfoliant	Peel Shot White Rice, Black Rice, Kojic Acid Turmeric	PM, 1 to 3 times a week
3	Toner	Peel Shot Glow Rice Toner	AM and PM
4	Mist-serum	Cactox Pore Relief Jelly Serum Mist	AM (also over makeup)
5	Ampoule / serum	Picotonic Shot, Cyano Pink Spicule Serum	Picotonic AM and PM; spicule PM only
6	Eye treatment	Eye patches (before), Eyephalt, Cemenrete Calcium Dark Spot Eye Cream	Depends on product
7	Moisturizer	TX-Cream or Calcium Intense Cream	AM and PM
8	Neck	Necklinephalt on lines, then Necksphalt ECM Ceramide Neck Cream	AM and PM
9	Balm	Cemenrete Calcium Multi Balm stick	PM last step, or daytime top-up
10	Sunscreen	Your preferred broad-spectrum SPF	AM only

Tricky formats, explained

• Cactox jelly serum mist: on bare skin it acts as a serum, after toner and before cream. During the day you can also spray it over makeup to refresh.
• Eye patches: apply on a clean, dry face for 20 to 30 minutes, then tap in the leftover essence and continue with your eye cream.
• Eyephalt: the product page suggests once a day, preferably at night, after toner and before cream. A thick layer can leave a white film, so use very little.
• Cemenrete Calcium Dark Spot Eye Cream: it has a light mineral tint, so in the morning it works as the final eye layer right before concealer.
• Calcium Multi Balm: a balm stick seals the routine at night and can be swiped over makeup on dry patches during the day.

Products you should not stack on the same night

Pairing	Same evening?	Better approach
Peel Shot ampoule + Cyano Pink Spicule Serum	No	Alternate nights
Peel Shot + retinoid	No	Different nights; ask your prescriber if the retinoid is prescription
Spicule serum + Eyephalt (both spicules)	Use caution	Start on separate nights; keep both away from the lash line
Necklinephalt + retinoid, acid peel or another spicule product	No	The brand advises against combining them
Picotonic Shot + TX-Cream	Yes	Serum first, cream on top
Glow Rice Toner + any Peel Shot	Yes	Toner right after rinsing the peel

Sample routine 1: the beginner (3 to 4 products)

If Dr. Melaxin is your first Korean brand, start small and add one product every two weeks. For the general logic of a first routine, our Korean skincare routine for beginners is a good companion.

• AM: gentle cleanser or water, Glow Rice Toner, your usual moisturizer, sunscreen.
• PM: cleanser, Glow Rice Toner, moisturizer.
• Once a week (PM): White Rice Peel Shot on dry skin after cleansing, rinse, then the toner and moisturizer.

Sample routine 2: dark spots and uneven tone

• AM: cleanser, Glow Rice Toner, Picotonic Shot (extra thin layer on marks), TX-Cream, sunscreen.
• PM: cleanser, toner, Picotonic Shot, TX-Cream.
• Once a week (PM): Kojic Acid Turmeric Peel Shot instead of other strong steps that night, followed by toner and TX-Cream.

Daily sunscreen is not optional here: spots tend to return without it. In the USA, sunscreens are regulated by the FDA, and in Canada by Health Canada; our Korean sunscreen guide explains labels on both sides of the border. Melasma or spots that change quickly should be seen by a dermatologist.

Sample routine 3: texture and visible pores

• AM: cleanser, Glow Rice Toner (or skip if oily), Cactox jelly serum mist, light moisturizer, sunscreen. Re-mist over makeup at midday if shiny.
• PM, spicule nights (2 to 3 a week): cleanser, toner, Cyano Pink Spicule Serum, moisturizer.
• PM, peel night (1 a week): cleanser, Black Rice Peel Shot, rinse, toner, moisturizer.
• Other nights: cleanser, toner, moisturizer only. Rest nights help the skin tolerate the active ones.

Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Spicule serum	Rest	Peel Shot	Rest	Spicule serum	Rest	Rest

Sample routine 4: mature skin and eye focus

• AM: cleanser, Glow Rice Toner, Picotonic Shot or a hydrating serum, Calcium Intense Cream (a light layer on the face), Necksphalt on the neck, sunscreen on face and neck, Cemenrete Calcium Dark Spot Eye Cream before concealer.
• PM: cleanser, toner, serum, Eyephalt on the orbital bone (if puffiness is your concern), Calcium Intense Cream, Multi Balm over dry creases at the outer eye and smile lines.
• 2 to 3 times a week: Calcium Volume Eye Patches after toner, before the eye cream.

This routine is cream-heavy, which suits dry winters in Canada, the northern US or the UK. In humid summers, swap the Intense Cream for a lighter moisturizer on the face and keep it for the eye area and neck.

How long to wait between layers

Most Dr. Melaxin leave-on products absorb quickly. Wait until each layer feels set, usually 30 to 60 seconds, before the next one. Two exceptions: after Eyephalt, wait about 20 minutes before eye makeup, as the product page suggests, and after spicule serums, wash your hands before touching your eyes. After a Peel Shot, apply toner right away; there is no need to wait.

Patch test every new product on the inner forearm or behind the ear for 24 to 48 hours, and introduce one at a time so you know which product your skin reacts to.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Peel Shot go before or after toner?

Before. It is a rinse-off gel used on clean, dry skin; toner comes after you rinse it off.

Can I use Dr. Melaxin products every day?

Toner, Picotonic Shot, TX-Cream, eye creams, neck creams and the Multi Balm are designed for daily use. Peel Shot and spicule serums are used only a few times a week.

Where does the Multi Balm stick go in my routine?

Last, over cream at night, or on top of makeup during the day. It is oil-rich, so it should not go under serums.

Should eye cream go before or after moisturizer?

Lighter eye treatments such as Eyephalt go before your face cream. The tinted Cemenrete eye cream works best as the final morning eye layer before concealer.

Can I mix Dr. Melaxin with other Korean brands?

Yes. Keep the same thin-to-thick order and avoid doubling up on exfoliants, spicules or retinoids from different brands on the same night.

A good Dr. Melaxin routine is less about owning every product and more about putting a few in the right order: rinse-off first, thin to thick, one strong step per night and sunscreen every morning. Start with one of the four routines above and adjust from there.

melaxin.ca is an independent guide. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. This article is for information only and is not medical advice.