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.

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 Triple Hyaluronic Moisture Ampoule

Skin Concern: Dryness Suitable For: Dry and dehydrated skin The Triple Hyaluronic Moisture Ampoule from COSRX is a hydrating serum for dry and dehydrated skin types. It contains three types of hyaluronic acid to keep the skin thoroughly hydrated and supple. It creates a protective barrier to prevent moisture loss from the skin and increases skin elasticity to keep the skin plump and healthy. It also contains allantoin that calms and soothes the skin. The non-greasy formula moisturizes the skin revealing a healthy complexion. This product from COSRX can truly work wonders on your skin. You can check out this YouTuber’s review of the product if you require more convincing. Pros

Non-greasy Lightweight Cruelty-free Vegan

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

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.

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. 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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