MERIT Beauty's Great Skin Trio: A Skincare Set for Flawless Makeup Application
As a beauty enthusiast with an extensive collection of face-perfecting products, I often ponder what truly enhances the appearance of makeup. Contrary to popular belief, it is rarely the cosmetics themselves but rather the condition of the underlying skin that makes the most significant difference.
When skin is well-hydrated, smooth, and balanced, everything from foundation to blush applies more seamlessly. However, if skin is dry, irritated, or congested, even the most luxurious makeup cannot compensate, as I have learned from experience.
Introducing MERIT Beauty's Great Skin Trio
When the cult minimal beauty brand MERIT Beauty launched its Great Skin Trio, a skincare set specifically designed to prepare skin for flawless makeup, my curiosity was piqued. I was eager to determine whether this product lived up to its considerable hype.
The trio includes a cleanser, serum, and moisturiser, promising to simplify beauty routines while delivering the healthy, glowing base that makeup artists consistently strive to achieve.
For those with even a passing interest in beauty, MERIT is likely a familiar name. Launched in 2021, the brand rapidly garnered a cult following among celebrities, influencers, and professional makeup artists due to its pared-back philosophy. MERIT focuses on creating effortless, skin-enhancing products that are difficult to misuse.
Instead of advocating complicated routines or full-coverage formulas, MERIT emphasises what it terms 'well-edited essentials.' These streamlined products aim to help individuals achieve a polished look without spending excessive time in front of a mirror.
While many initially discover MERIT through its makeup offerings, such as the Flush Balm cream blushers and Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Sticks, the brand has been steadily expanding its skincare line. This expansion is designed to create the perfect canvas before any makeup application, which is precisely where the Great Skin Trio comes into play.
Testing the Great Skin Trio: A Detailed Review
Priced at $154, the set features three of MERIT's skincare staples: a cleanser, serum, and moisturiser formulated to hydrate, brighten, and prep skin for makeup within minutes. As someone who frequently tests new beauty launches and has oily skin in her mid-thirties, I was keen to evaluate each product's real-world performance.
The Great Skin Serum
The first step in the routine is the Great Skin Serum, a bi-phase formula intended to hydrate, brighten, and reduce redness. Initially, I was somewhat hesitant due to its oil-like appearance, which typically feels too heavy for my daytime use as makeup can slide off.
Fortunately, these concerns were unfounded. Once shaken, the formula becomes beautifully lightweight and absorbs into the skin almost instantly. Approximately four drops sufficed to cover my entire face and neck, gliding on smoothly.
The texture is surprisingly fresh and silky rather than oily, leaving my skin hydrated and subtly glowing without any heaviness. After several days of use, I noticed a healthy, slightly plumped appearance that makeup artists adore, encouraging less foundation application rather than more.
Verdict: A surprisingly lightweight serum that delivers instant hydration and glow without greasiness. Ideal for those who love dewy skin as a first step before makeup.
The Great Skin Moisturiser
Step two involves the Great Skin Moisturiser, described by MERIT as a 'priming moisturiser' designed to hydrate and prep skin for makeup. This is where the set truly began to impress me.
The formula contains a proprietary blend of peptides, spermidine, and barrier-supporting polysaccharides, along with ingredients like oat extract, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid to soothe and deeply hydrate the skin.
I used it morning and night for two weeks, both under makeup and on bare skin. On makeup days, my routine was simple: cleanse, apply serum, then use one to two pumps of the moisturiser before sunscreen and makeup. It created a beautiful base, with foundation, concealer, and blusher applying smoothly and lasting noticeably longer, even on warmer days.
On days without makeup, the moisturiser still performed excellently, leaving my skin smoother, brighter, and more hydrated—a significant achievement given my history with oiliness and dull patches.
Additional appreciated details include its complete lack of fragrance, a welcome change from heavily scented skincare, and its efficiency, as one pump often covers the entire face and neck. Importantly, it did not trigger any breakouts on my reactive skin.
Verdict: Lightweight, soothing, and genuinely effective under makeup. A moisturiser that doubles as a primer, earning a permanent place in my beauty kit.
The Great Skin Double Cleanse
Finally, the Great Skin Double Cleanse is a bi-phase foaming cleanser designed to remove makeup, sunscreen, and impurities in one step. For those familiar with skincare, double cleansing typically involves two separate products, but MERIT's version combines both steps into one.
The formula appears oil-based but is actually oil-free, using oat-derived surfactants to dissolve makeup and impurities while plant-derived humectants help maintain moisture. It also contains PHA (polyhydroxy acid), a gentle exfoliating ingredient that brightens and smooths the skin without disrupting the barrier.
As someone who prefers low-effort routines, especially at night, the one-step cleanse was appealing. This foaming formula effectively removes makeup and sunscreen, leaves skin clean but not stripped, and has not caused any post-cleansing breakouts. My skin looks noticeably brighter without the tight dryness associated with some cleansers.
Verdict: A gentle yet effective cleanser that genuinely simplifies routines. Perfect for those seeking double cleansing benefits without extra products or expense.
Final Thoughts on the MERIT Great Skin Trio
After thorough testing, I understand why MERIT has cultivated such a devoted following. The products are simple, effective, and genuinely easy to use, aligning perfectly with the brand's less-is-more beauty philosophy.
Rather than promising miraculous results or complex routines, the set focuses on what truly matters: healthy, hydrated skin that enhances makeup application. For anyone who appreciates a streamlined routine, the trio makes achieving such skin surprisingly effortless.
As someone who tests dozens of products monthly, it is rare that I complete an entire routine and willingly continue using all three items. With the MERIT Great Skin Trio, that is precisely what occurred, making it a standout addition to any beauty regimen.
