How to use
How to use a multi balm stick for soft, glassy-looking skin
Twist, glide, tap: how to use a multi balm stick on the eye area, smile lines, lips and neck, where it goes in your routine and how to wear it with make-up.
In short
Twist up a few millimetres of balm and glide it over the eye area, smile lines, forehead, lips and neck as the last step of your skincare. In the morning, follow with sunscreen and make-up. Use it before make-up for grip, or tap it over make-up to refresh, morning, evening and whenever skin feels dry.
Key takeaways
- Twist up a few millimetres, glide lightly, and tap rather than drag over make-up.
- Use it on the eye area, smile lines, forehead, lips, neck and dry patches.
- It goes last in your skincare, before sunscreen and make-up.
- Twice a day is a good rhythm, with top-ups whenever skin feels dry.
How do you use a multi balm stick?
Twist up a few millimetres of balm and glide it over the areas that feel dry or show fine lines: the eye area, smile lines, forehead, lips and neck. Use it as the last step of your skincare, morning and evening, and whenever skin feels dry during the day.
The balm melts on contact into a silky cushion and leaves skin looking fresh, glassy and lit from within. A stick needs no fingers, no pump and no measuring, which is why it slips so easily into a bag and into a routine.
- Twist Turn up a few millimetres of balm. A little goes a long way.
- Glide Sweep it lightly over each area in one or two passes. The balm softens on contact with skin and melts in, so there is no need to press.
- Tap Over make-up, tap it on gently rather than dragging, so your base stays where it is.
Multi balm: a solid, oil-rich skincare balm in a twist-up stick, made to be used on several areas of the face and neck rather than one. Korean multi balms usually combine moisturising oils and waxes with a skincare ingredient such as collagen or PDRN.
Where on the face can you use it?
Anywhere that feels dry or where fine lines show first. The KAHI Multi Balm was measured on six areas in its Seoul studies: the eye area, forehead, smile lines, frown lines, lips and neck.1, 2
| Area | How to apply | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Eye area | Glide gently along the outer corners and under the eyes | Stay on the bone around the eye and keep the balm out of the eyes themselves |
| Smile lines and forehead | Sweep along the lines, from the centre outwards | Two light passes are better than one heavy one |
| Lips | Swipe over the lips and just beyond the lip line | Apply a few minutes before lipstick so it can sink in |
| Neck | Glide down the front and sides of the neck | Finish every routine here: the neck is often forgotten |
| Dry patches | Swipe over the patch whenever it feels tight | Handy on flaky areas around the nose and chin |
When does it go in your skincare routine?
Use the balm last, after your serum and moisturiser. Its oils and waxes form a soft, cushiony layer, so anything applied after it absorbs less well. In the morning, follow it with sunscreen, then make-up.
| Morning | Evening |
|---|---|
| 1. Cleanse | 1. Remove make-up and cleanse |
| 2. Essence or serum | 2. Essence or serum |
| 3. Moisturiser, if you use one | 3. Moisturiser, if you use one |
| 4. Multi balm | 4. Multi balm |
| 5. Sunscreen, then make-up |
On very dry skin, some people skip the moisturiser on the areas where they use the balm. If your skin is oily, use the balm only where it feels dry, such as around the eyes and on the lips.
Can you use a balm stick with make-up?
Yes, before or over it. Used before foundation, the KAHI Multi Balm gave make-up 79% better grip in testing, compared with skin without the balm.2 Let it settle for a minute before your base.
Over make-up, it is a quick midday refresh: tap it lightly on the high points of the face and around the eyes for a dewy look. Tapping rather than dragging keeps your foundation in place.
+79%
Make-up grip after one application of the KAHI Multi Balm, compared with skin without it.2 See how it was tested
How often should you use it?
Twice a day is a good rhythm, morning and evening, plus top-ups whenever skin feels dry. In the 4-week study of the KAHI Multi Balm, women used it twice a day on the face and neck.1
39%
Smoother-looking eye-area lines after 4 weeks of twice-daily use, measured with 3D skin imaging.1 See the study
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using too much. A few millimetres of balm is enough for the whole face and neck. More only feels heavier.
- Pressing hard. Let the warmth of your skin soften the balm, and glide.
- Dragging over make-up. Tap instead, or your base will move.
- Applying it before other skincare. The balm goes last, so your serum and moisturiser can absorb first.
Good to know: as with any new product, try it on a small patch of skin first, and stop using it if irritation occurs. Keep the balm out of the eyes. The KAHI Multi Balm contains salmon PDRN and salmon collagen, so if you have a fish allergy, check with your GP or pharmacist before use. Wipe the top of the stick with a clean tissue now and then, and replace the cap after use.
Face, eyes, smile lines, lips and neck
Frequently asked questions
Do I put a balm stick on before or after moisturiser?
After. A multi balm is the last step of your skincare, because its oils and waxes form a soft layer that products applied on top absorb through less well. In the morning, apply sunscreen after the balm.
Can I use a multi balm under my eyes?
Yes, if the formula is suitable for the eye area. The KAHI Multi Balm was tested around the eyes. Glide it gently along the outer corners and under the eyes, and keep it out of the eyes themselves.
Can I use a multi balm on my lips?
Yes. Swipe it over the lips and just beyond the lip line. Before lipstick, give it a few minutes to sink in so your colour goes on smoothly.
Can I use it on oily skin?
Yes, on the areas that feel dry. The KAHI Multi Balm is made for dry, mature and combination skin. On oily skin, use it around the eyes, on the lips and on any dry patches rather than all over.
Can I use a balm stick on my body?
Yes. The KAHI Multi Balm is a facial and body balm, so you can swipe it over small dry patches on the body too. It was tested on the face and neck.
Is it better to use a balm stick before or over make-up?
Both work. Before foundation, the KAHI Multi Balm gave make-up 79% better grip in testing². Over make-up, tap it lightly on the high points of the face for a dewy midday refresh.
Sources and references
- KAHI Multi Balm 4-week study, report ASC-26-E145-2 (20 women aged 51–69, twice daily; Antera 3D skin imaging). Ace Skin Clinical Research Institute, Seoul, 2026.
- KAHI Multi Balm single-application study, report ASC-26-E145-1 (23 women aged 51–69; instrumental measurements, including make-up grip compared with untreated skin). Ace Skin Clinical Research Institute, Seoul, 2026.
Last reviewed 1 October 2026. This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Report an issue with this article
