Erborian Set & Care Smoothing Foundation Primer 30 ml

When should you use Set & Care Primer before applying makeup?

Set & Care Primer is a lightweight gel primer that fits seamlessly between your skincare routine and your foundation. Its formula combines a complex of Korean white ginseng and hyaluronic acid: it prepares the skin for makeup application while providing the comfort of a skincare product, without feeling greasy or sticky.

Applied in a thin layer, the gel smooths, blurs, and mattifies the complexion. Skin texture appears more even, shine is reduced, and foundation glides on evenly for a second-skin finish. If you’re unsure whether to choose a matte, luminous, or slightly rosy finish, our selection of makeup primers will help you choose based on your skin type.

The skincare aspect is based on two key active ingredients. Hyaluronic acid provides hydration that lasts for 8 hours, preventing that tight, dry feeling at the end of the day, while the white ginseng complex helps smooth the skin with each application.

This primer extends the wear of your makeup. It’s perfect for days when your complexion needs to last from morning to night: a long workday, a wedding, a photo shoot, hot weather, or simply a T-zone that tends to get shiny by early afternoon.

For best results, we recommend applying it over Erborian CC Cream: Tinted Corrector for a Healthy Glow & Radiance. The primer prepares the skin’s surface, while the CC Cream provides color: its texture adapts to your skin tone and offers light coverage that lets your skin show through while evening out your complexion.

How do you apply this makeup primer?

As the final step in your skincare routine, apply a small amount of Set & Care Primer all over your face by gently patting with your fingertips—without rubbing. Wait a few seconds for it to dry slightly before applying your foundation.

Share your feedback on the usage instructions and application guidelines for Set & Care Primer with our partner Verified Reviews after your purchase.

Precautions

• For external use on the face only. Avoid the immediate eye area and mucous membranes; in case of contact with the eyes, rinse thoroughly with clean water.
• This primer does not contain any sunscreen: facial sunscreen is still necessary during the day.
• The formula contains fragrance and listed allergens (citronellol, geraniol, hexyl cinnamal, linalool, alpha-isomethyl ionone). Do not use if you have a known allergy to any of these ingredients.
• For sensitive skin: Test the product on a small area—behind the ear or in the crook of the elbow—48 hours before first applying it to the face.
• Discontinue use if redness, persistent tingling, itching, or a burning sensation occurs, and seek advice.
• Do not apply to broken or irritated skin, sunburned skin, or skin that has recently undergone a dermatological procedure (chemical peel, laser treatment, microneedling) without the practitioner’s approval.
• Thoroughly remove makeup from the skin every evening: foundation and makeup should not be left on overnight.
• Product intended for adults.
• The list of ingredients is subject to change: check the list on the packaging of the product you purchased.
• Store away from heat and light in a tightly closed container. Keep out of reach of children.

What are the ingredients in this ginseng-based smoothing primer?

Aqua/Water/Eau, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Equisetum Giganteum Extract, Dioscorea Villosa (Wild Yam) Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Kigelia Africana Fruit Extract, Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hectorite, Silica, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, VP/Acrylates/Lauryl Methacrylate Copolymer, Glyceryl Caprylate, Cellulose, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Parfum/Fragrance, Acetyl Cedrene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Linalyl Acetate.

Product Details

30 ml gel.

Our expert tips on Set & Care Primer and makeup longevity

The most common mistake with a primer is applying too much, or applying it too quickly. A thick layer, or foundation applied over a gel that’s still wet, will eventually clump and form small flakes on the cheeks: the amount and drying time specified in the instructions aren’t just formalities—a smooth finish depends on them.

Also keep in mind what a primer doesn’t do. It mattifies the surface; it doesn’t change the nature of oily skin: if shine returns by midday, it’s your skincare routine you need to reevaluate, not the amount of primer. And among the precautions, the one regarding sun protection is the most commonly overlooked: the order to remember is skincare, sunscreen, primer, then foundation.

FAQ

Will Set & Care Primer change the color of my complexion?

No. Set & Care Primer is a translucent, pigment-free gel: it doesn’t alter your skin tone and is suitable for all skin tones. The color comes from the foundation applied on top.

I’m looking for a silicone-free primer: Does Set & Care Primer contain silicones?

No. Its ingredient list contains no silicones, unlike many other foundation primers. The smoothing effect comes from acrylic polymers and a type of clay called hectorite. The silica (Silica) in the formula is a mineral—not to be confused with silicone.

Should I apply a moisturizer before using Set & Care Primer?

It depends on your skin type. For normal to combination skin, the hydration provided by the primer’s hyaluronic acid may be sufficient. For dry skin, or when your skin feels tight, it’s best to apply a day cream before Set & Care Primer.

I already use Erborian Skin Hero with Ginseng for a Perfect Bare Skin Look: do I need Set & Care Primer?

The two products serve different purposes. Skin Hero is a bare-skin perfector, designed to be worn without makeup and provide a luminous finish. Set & Care Primer is a makeup primer, formulated to prepare the skin for makeup and optimize its application, with a matte finish. Skin Hero can be worn before your makeup routine if desired.