10 Best Korean Serums for Every Skin Type of 2023
Use these Korean serums that suit every skin type to enhance your skin health and appearance.
Dr. Priya GillMBBCH, MRCP
Expertise: Dermatology, Aesthetic Medicine & Venereology
Experience: 16 years
Dr. Priya Gill is a consultant dermatologist in Klang, Malaysia, with over 16 years of experience. She specializes in the management of all medical and surgical dermatology issues and has a special interest in laser therapy and phototherapy... more
Shiboli Chakraborti Certified Skin Care Coach
Expertise: Skin Care & Hair Care
Experience: 3 years
Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with three years of experience. As an editor, she ... more
Image: Shutterstock
Everything about K-beauty is fantastic! However, the best Korean serums are by far the most popular skin care products and a must-try for you. Dr. Priya Gill, one of Malaysia’s leading dermatologists, says, “Korean serums have certainly taken the world by storm and are showing amazing results.”
The fact that Korean serums are manufactured with simple but powerful ingredients and are less expensive than Western skincare products is one of the main reasons for their appeal. In addition, Korean beauty and cosmetic lines have serums to meet all your skin’s requirements. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s dig in.
In This Article
Best Korean Serum For Your Skin Type
1. Best For Dull Skin: The Face Shop White Seed Brightening Serum
Skin Concern: Dullness, blemishes, and spots
Suitable For: All skin types
If you are looking for a brightening serum that can fade stubborn blemishes and marks, go for this product. The White Seed Brightening Serum by The Face Shop contains white lupin seed extract, which is known for its natural skin brightening properties. It also contains white daisy flower extracts that reduce dullness and make your skin bright and clear. It is the best Korean face serum.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- No artificial colors
- No animal ingredients
- No mineral oils
- Paraffin-free
- Talc-free
- No harmful chemicals
- Hygienic pump packaging
Cons
None
2. Best For Dry Skin: COSRX Propolis Light Ampoule
Skin Concerns: Dryness and uneven skin tone
Suitable for: Sensitive skin
This lightweight, non-irritant COSRX Propolis Light Ampoule contains black bee propolis extract. It delivers moisture deep into the skin and leaves the skin feeling soft and moisturized but never sticky. The ampoule is also hypoallergenic, made with pure vegetable-based ingredients, and contains no preservatives or fragrances. In addition, the ampoule is safe for all skin types, so there is no need to worry about skin irritation.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
- Dermatologist tested
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Phthalate-free
Cons
None
3. Best Hypoallergenic Formula: Dear, Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Serum
Skin Concern: Pigmentation, fine lines, and uneven skintone
Suitable For: All skin types
This is an ultra-mild (5%) Korean vitamin C serum formula by Dear, Klairs. It is gentle enough for sensitive skin. Vitamin C has skin brightening effects. It can fade stubborn spots and marks quite effectively. If you have brown spots, fine lines, and open pores, this should be your top pick. The ingredients in this serum are chosen as per the Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety Standards. It is the best Korean vitamin c serum. To understand the nuances of this serum in a detailed manner, check out this review on YouTube.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- No harmful chemicals
- SLS-free
Cons
None
4. Best For Acne-Prone Skin: Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA-30 Days Miracle Serum
Skin Concern: Acne, redness, and breakouts
Suitable For: Acne-prone, sensitive, oily, dry skin
Weather and the environment are really a concern when it comes to keeping skin healthy. This AHA-BHA-PHA miracle serum is a toning formula that exfoliates dead, dull skin cells to give you cleaner and brighter-looking skin. It is formulated with 10,000 ppm of real tea tree and 14.5% of Centella that target pores, moisturize the skin, and leave it looking bright and radiant. This anti-wrinkling serum reduces the appearance of fine lines and prevents breakouts for smoother, softer skin. Check out this YouTuber’s video on the benefits of using this serum on acne-prone skin.
Pros
- Formulated with three chemical exfoliants
- Low pH
- Approved by KFDA
Cons
None
5. Best Anti-Aging: Mizon Snail Repair Intensive Ampoule
Skin Concern: Acne, scarring, signs of aging
Suitable For: All skin types, especially sensitive skin
Snail mucin extract is one of the most potent skin ingredients, and most Korean beauties swear by its benefits. It helps minimize acne, prevent acne scarring, minimize the signs of aging, and smoothen your skin texture. It is the best Korean serum for dry skin.
Pros
- 80% snail mucin extracts
- Contains anti-aging peptides
- Soothes the skin
- Contains hyaluronic acid
Cons
None
6. Best For All Skin Types: Nature Republic Snail Solution Essence
Skin Concern: Dullness and wrinkles
Suitable For: All skin types
Stressed skin looks dull and lacks vitality. If you feel that your skin is stressed and does not look healthy, try out this essence. It contains 80% snail secretion that improves your skin texture within a few days. It also brightens and soothes dull skin.
Pros
- Natural ingredients
- Mild formula
- Hygienic packaging
- No harmful chemicals
Cons
None
7. Best Oil-Free: Dear, Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Serum
Skin Concern: Dryness
Suitable For: Dry skin
If a lack of hydration is your prime skin concern, this serum is for you. The Moist Soothing Serum by Dear, Klairs contains a powerful blend of natural extracts, such as carrot root, celery, and broccoli. It also contains sodium hyaluronate (a salt of hyaluronic acid) that helps restore moisture and keeps your skin hydrated for long. It contains lemon oil and has a mild and refreshing citrus scent. It is gentle and perfect for anyone who needs a serum to calm down their skin. It is the best Korean serum for combination skin.
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- No artificial fragrance
- Paraben-free
- Alcohol-free
- No artificial colors
Cons
- Contains PEG
8. Best Exfoliating: Mizon AHA 8% Peeling Serum
Skin Concern: Hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and blemishes
Suitable For: All skin types
This product is formulated with 8% glycolic acid that targets the spots and blemishes on your skin and helps fade them. Glycolic acid exfoliates the skin gently, improves its texture, and promotes skin resurfacing. It contains papaya and aloe extracts that have a calming and hydrating effect on your skin. These two ingredients are also known for their anti-inflammatory benefits. This peeling serum also contains arnica that has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect. If you are new to chemical exfoliators, start with this mild exfoliating serum.
Pros
- Dermatologically tested
- Safe for daily use
- Improves skin’s adaptability
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- Contains parabens
9. Best Non-Sticky Formula: Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum
Image: Beauty Of Joseon Skin Concerns: Inflammatory skin and enlarged pores
Suitable For: All skin types
The Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum is designed to improve skin with inflammatory problems. This non-sticky serum has honey-like viscosity that delivers hydration and shine to your skin. It contains propolis extract, a merge of honey with grain powder that boosts moisture into your inflamed skin. The 2% niacinamide in the serum controls your skin’s sebum secretion, and 0.5% BHA peels out the accumulated dirt and grime from your pores. The serum is also formulated with lotus corniculatus seed extracts that moisturize and soothe irritated skin and tamanu oil that reduces scars and treats acne. Apply two to four drops of this serum daily and achieve glowing, healthy skin.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Smooth consistency
- Non-sticky
- GMP-certified
- FSC-certified packaging
- Cruelty-free
- Fragrance-free
- Essential oil-free
- Mineral oil-free
Cons
- None
10. Best For Sensitive Skin: Neogen Dermalogy White Truffle Serum In Oil Drop
Skin Concern: Dullness, dryness, and signs of aging
Suitable For: All skin types
This is a unique serum that gives you the moisturizing effect of oil without making your skin feel oily! This oil drop serum contains white truffle extracts that strengthen your skin and fights the signs of aging. It is formulated with the microfluidic dispersion technology that balances the oil and serum to give you a fresh finish after application.
Pros
- Clinically tested
- Non-irritant
- Improves moisture retainability of the skin
- Lightweight
- Contains niacinamide
- Paraben-free
Cons
- Contains PEG
Your skin care routine feels incomplete without a good serum. These potent skin formulations revolutionized the world of cosmetics and targeted skin care. Here are a few things to keep in mind before you buy the best Korean serums for your skin type.
Factors To Keep In Mind While Buying The Best Korean Serums
- Skin Type
Pick a Korean serum that suits your skin type, else you may end up with more skin issues than relief. A dry skin Korean serum may not be suitable for combination, oily or acne-prone skin, and likewise, an oily skin Korean serum may not be ideal for sensitive skin. If you have acne-prone and oily skin, pick a face serum that contains retinol or salicylic acid. For dry skin, try formula with Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. For those with sensitive skin, pick a formula that contains natural ingredients like snail mucin as they are less likely to cause side effects or irritation. Focus on your skin type and skin concern so that the serum works effectively.
- Ingredients To Avoid
Read the label’s fine print to make sure what goes onto your skin. Avoid serums that contain alcohol, parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, or phthalates as these can damage or irritate your skin. Also, stay away from formulas that contain synthetic dyes and artificial fragrances. Check the ingredients list to make sure you are not allergic to any of the ingredients mentioned on the label.
- Formula
When it comes to the formula, look for a Korean serum that contains skin enhancing ingredients, soothing agents, anti-aging properties, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Also, look for lightweight, non-comedogenic, and hypoallergenic formulas. In addition, a non-sticky, non-greasy, and quick absorbing formula is easy to use.
- Skin Concerns
Look for brightening serums or serums that help enhance skin’s protective barrier, elasticity, and hydration levels. Invest in formulations that keep your skin plump and healthy, free from acne breakouts and aging signs. For an all-round skin enhancement, look for serums with vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, retinol, glycolic acid, or salicylic acid.
Infographic: Korean Serums: Application Tips & Buying Guide
A serum is a must-have in your skin care routine. While Korean beauty products are well-known around the world, their serums need special mention. These serums are packed with active ingredients that soothe and nourish the skin while reducing premature aging signs. The infographic below explains how to apply a Korean serum effectively and the several factors that should be considered when purchasing one. Take a look! Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
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If you are a skin care enthusiast, you are probably aware of all the rage around K-beauty. The Korean skin care products are ruling the beauty industry with their effective formulas. The best Korean serums have proved to be extremely beneficial for the skin and are made with nourishing ingredients. These products are mostly chemical-free and have non-greasy formulas. They also offer anti-aging benefits and rejuvenate dull and dry skin. However, while choosing the suitable Korean serum for your skin, avoid formulas that contain PEG.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author of this article, Shiboli Chakraborti, is a certified skin care coach and has an in-depth understanding of skin needs. She prepared this list of the best Korean serums after extensive research and reading feedback on various trusted forums. These serums meet all the skin requirements and contain active ingredients, which promote skin health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should be used first, ampoule or serum?
Ampoules are filled with high concentrations of active ingredients that act as a booster to your damaged and dry skin. Therefore, it should be used before applying a serum to give your delicate skin the extra lift that it needs.
What is the difference between a Korean serum and a western serum?
Korean serums are formulated with active ingredients that increase the potency of the products. Unlike regular serums, these serums are lightweight, non-sticky, and suitable for sensitive and acne-prone skin.
Can I use two different Korean serums at the same time?
Yes. Two different Korean serums can be used simultaneously, provided that both the products complement each other. To retain the effectiveness of the products, apply the serum with thin consistency first and let it absorb. Then layer it with the thicker one.
How many drops of serum should I use?
Face serums are very potent with a high concentration of active ingredients, so using a pea-sized amount of product is enough. If you have a dropper application, use 3-4 drops of the serum to cover your entire face and neck.
How long after using a serum do you moisturize?
Apply a moisturizer after one minute of using a serum. This will allow the serum to completely seep into your pores and prepare your skin for the following regime of moisturizing and sun protection.
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