In the constant mood to be a part of the Korean beauty fad, I landed up listing a few of the best Korean serums that are nothing less than a magical potion. Like K-pop culture and cuisine, Korean beauty secrets have all of my heart. And, when it comes to K-beauty serums, I love how they promise dramatic skin rejuvenation with fresh formulas, skin-enhancing properties, and active ingredients.

While patrolling the internet for the best Korean serums, I was taken aback by its role in supercharging our ordinary skincare regime. They are no mere skincare products, rather they are the secret weapons offering additional doses of hydration and nourishment. Talking about the goodness of serums, popular skincare expert, Dr. Sam Bunting, the founder of Dr. Sam's Skincare says, “Serums texturally allow us to potentially use one or two layers in a way that doesn’t interfere with the application of moisturizer or SPF. So, serums make up for an elegant layering.” Korean serums energize our skin and amp up our radiance. They take an additional step in resolving our skin care woes and address our skin concerns in a soothing way.

No matter if you possess dull, dry, oily, normal, acne-prone, or combination skin, Korean serums know how to uplift our complexion and smoothen our skin in a jiffy. If you too have the itch to be a part of the Korean beauty fad, then let me tell you, it is still not too late to explore the world of Korean beauty secrets starting right from the best Korean serums. Scroll down to peep into my list of top picks.

• 1
  Best Overall

  Dear, Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop

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While diving deeper into the world of K-beauty serums, I came across this Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop from dear, klairs. This serum is loaded with pure vitamin C, which acts as a daily supplement essence for clear and lively skin. It is cruelty-free, vegan, and gentle on sensitive skin as well. In addition, it balances the composition of oil and water pretty easily. A balance of these two ingredients is vital for attaining healthy skin. It is best suitable for women dealing with dull skin tone, enlarged pores, and hyperpigmentation. I love how this serum aims to provide plenty of moisture and nutrition within just a few weeks of application.

Key ingredients: Ascorbic acid, Centella asiatica extract, and vitamin C

Skin type: All

2

Most Hydrating

Dear, Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Serum

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This is yet another Korean serum from the brand “Dear, Klairs” that grabbed my attention. It is a Rich Moist Soothing Serum enriched with a mesmerizing blend of hydrating ingredients. Its gentle aqueous formula penetrates deeply into the skin and replenishes it to the maximum. Crafted for all skin types, the brand pays more heed to the hydrating factor, as hydration tends to be the key to an ever-lasting glow. The best part about this serum that I really love is the serum’s ability to strengthen the skin barrier and maintain its pink health.

Key ingredients: Centella asiatica extract

Skin type: All

3

Best for Acne-prone Skin

SOME BY MI AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum

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I was surprised to see the array of skin care products introduced by one of the best Korean Skincare Brands — SOME BY MI. Out of its massive collection, I loved the skin-enhancing features of AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum the most. With 10,000 ppm of tea tree leaf water and 14.77 percent of Centella Asiatica extract, this serum ticks all the boxes. It actively chucks out impurities and dead skin cells from our skin and leaves behind a healthy-looking complexion. The serum also maintains an oil-moisture balance and gives no chance for complaints. 

Key ingredients: Tea tree leaf water and Centella asiatica extract

Skin type: All

Quick Tip

Add this serum to your PM routine. Your skin gets enough time to absorb the serum while you sleep. The active ingredients work better when kept away from sun exposure.

4

numbuzin No.5+ Vitamin Concentrated Serum

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I go speechless when it comes to No.5+ Vitamin Concentrated Serum introduced by numbuzin. Being called the most excellent brightening serum, let me tell you that all the hype around it is worth it. It is backed with game-changing active ingredients to help our skin undergo a flawless transformation. What I really appreciate is its power to boost radiance and reduce dullness. Enriched with vitamins and glutathione, the serum leaves no stone unturned to help us achieve the skin of our dreams. 

Key ingredients: Vitamins and glutathione

Skin type: All

5

Best for Boosting Radiance

THE FACE SHOP WHITESEED BRIGHTENING SERUM

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I go speechless when it comes to WHITESEED BRIGHTENING SERUM introduced by THE FACE SHOP. Being called the most excellent brightening serum, let me tell you that all the hype around it is worth it. It is backed with game-changing active ingredients to help our skin undergo a flawless transformation. What I really appreciate is its power to boost radiance and reduce dullness. With niacinamide, white lupin seed, squalene, white willow bark, and white daisy flower extract, the serum leaves no stone unturned to help us achieve the skin of our dreams.

6

Best Lightweight Formula

innisfree Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Acid Serum

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If you love green tea-infused products like me, then I urge you to pick innisfree Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Acid Serum. This is a gel-based serum that hydrates our skin straight for up to 24 hours. Being known as one of the best non-comedogenic skincare products, the inviting scent and texture work wonderfully along with the blend of 5 varied types of hyaluronic acids. Talking about its packaging, I really appreciate the brand’s initiative in using 60 percent PCR recycled glass packaging for a safe and greener future. 

Key ingredients: Green tea seed and hyaluronic acid 

Skin type: All

Quick Tip

Most suitable for dry skin, apply this on damp skin for maximum absorption. Use a toner before the serum to prep your skin for maximum hydration and instant conditioning.

7

Best for AM and PM Use

JUMISO All Day Vitamin Brightening & Balancing Serum

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Alcohol and fragrance-free serums have a completely different fan following. And if you belong to such a club, I would like to introduce JUMISO All Day Vitamin Brightening & Balancing Serum to you. It is a beginner-friendly serum enriched with vitamin tree extract, Centella Asiatica extract, Matricaria flower extract, and every skincare enthusiast’s favorite hyaluronic acid. Believe me, this is clearly one of the best serums with a light consistency and fast absorbing capability. I have incorporated this miraculous skin care product into both — my AM and PM skincare regimen.

Key ingredients: Vitamin tree extract, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, Centella asiatica extract, and matricaria flower extract

Skin type: All

8

Most Moisturizing

Benton Snail Bee Ultimate Serum+

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Targeting breakouts is often a difficult task as we need the right skincare product in our hands or else the condition might worsen. To those possessing acne-prone and damaged skin, I strongly recommend vouching for cruelty-free Snail Bee Ultimate Serum+ from Benton. This vegan serum is highly nourishing, featuring a smooth texture. In addition, it is the perfect anti-aging solution. I find its nature-derived formulation really impressive and effective in resolving skin care concerns like discoloration, acne scars, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and blemishes. Plus, you can feel the presence of green tea, tea tree, bee venom, and Japanese cypress showcasing its efficacy. Talking about the brand, Benton is a brand that stands tall in the Korean beauty community and thus is worth your attention. 

Key ingredients: Snail secretion filtrate, bee venom, and tea tree leaf water

Skin type: Dry

 

9

Best for All Skin Types

NEOGEN DERMALOGY White Truffle Serum In Oil Drop

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While glancing through the features of from White Truffle Serum In Oil Drop NEOGEN DERMALOGY, I personally love its way of hydrating and moisturizing. With the help of white truffle, amino acids, ceramide, minerals, vitamins, Macadamia nut, avocado, and baobab seed oil, this serum goes beyond expectations. It provides nutrition, improves skin tone, and lifts up drab skin seamlessly. What I found really impressive was its distinctive oil-drop texture that isn’t sti

Key ingredient: White truffle

Skin type: Allcky or greasy. 

10

Best Anti-aging Serum

Sulwhasoo FIRST CARE ACTIVATING SERUM

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For attaining youthful-looking skin, snag this First Care Activating Serum from Sulwhasoo. I find this serum extremely skin-friendly. That's all because of its radiance-boosting properties and refreshing fragrance. It makes us experience a spa-like sensorial feeling with its supercharging herbal blend. While maintaining the moisture levels of our skin, this serum goes a step forward and addresses various skin concerns like dehydration of skin, rough patches, etc., that we deal with in our day-to-day lives. With the golden ratio of traditional Korean herbs and white lily, this serum will leave skincare junkies stunned. 

Key ingredient: Ginseng

Skin type: All

11

AHC AQUALURONIC Serum

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Aesthetic Hydration Cosmetics popularly known as AHC has introduced a K-beauty serum that is crafted with a skincare routine revolving around the Korean aesthetic clinic approach. The worth noticing part about the AQUALURONIC Serum is its moisture-fortifying abilities. Talking about its ingredients — France’s mineral-rich seawater and aqua ceramide complex does a really great job. It flawlessly aims to replenish and nourish dehydrated skin with its anti-aging properties. In addition, the gel-like texture and the goodness of hyaluronic acid quench the thirst of our dry skin instantly. Ideal for all skin types, you shouldn’t resist adding this serum to your shopping cart. 

Key ingredients: Triple hyaluronic complex, aqua ceramide complex, and French sea water

Skin type: All

12

Best K-beauty Peeling Serum

MIZON AHA 8% Peeling Serum

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Something that is smooth, nourishing, and exfoliating defines MIZON AHA 8% Peeling Serum better. AHA is basically another term for glycolic acid that works magnificently in eliminating dead skin layers and uncovering beautiful, healthy-looking skin. It softens the skin and creates a protective shield on the surface to prevent moisture loss. Ingredients like panthenol, allantoin, aloe vera, portulaca, and Amica flower extracts make it a win-win skincare product to rely on.

Key ingredients: Panthenol, allantoin, aloe vera, portulaca, and Amica flower extracts

Skin type: Dry

13

Beauty of Joseon Revive Serum : Ginseng + Snail Mucin

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The Beauty of Joseon Revive Serum is one of the best K-beauty anti-aging serums, loaded with the goodness of 63 percent Ginseng root water and 3 percent snail mucin. Specially crafted for repairing skin damage, I love how Ginseng, one of the most effective oriental medicines, is incorporated in this serum. Korean’s love for skincare and herbal medicine needs no introduction, likewise, this K-beauty serum from Beauty of Joseon speaks for itself. Its unique runny texture supplies a sufficient amount of moisture to our skin and leaves it thoroughly nourished. Another plus point of this serum is that it keeps the moisture intact for a prolonged period of time. If you miss adding this to your cart, you are at a great loss!

Key ingredients: Ginseng and snail mucin

Skin type: Sensitive

14

Skin 2.0 Vitamin C Serum With Collagen

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The Skin 2.0 Vitamin C Serum With Collagen is a game-changing anti-aging and brightening powerhouse that provides a plump and hydrated complexion in just a few uses. It helps unveil a radiant complexion, reducing dullness and promoting a more even skin tone. The product also helps ward off signs of aging, including wrinkles, blemishes, fine lines, etc. What’s more? It is cruelty-free and works wonders on acne-prone skin to prevent breakouts and reduce the appearance of marks. Well, what else can you ask for?

Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, collagen, aloe vera, and argan oil

Skin type: All

Well, after taking a look at the best Korean serums, I assure you that you can never go wrong with your skin and its needs. Also, I bet your love for Korean beauty will bloom with every passing day. Come, let me show you how to use a serum in your day-to-day regime.

To help you incorporate Korean serums into your daily routine, I have listed below some steps. Follow them religiously, and you can attain beautiful, glowing skin, just like the Koreans.

Step 1: Cleanse your face with a face wash or a cleanser. You may use a cleansing balm or scrub for deep exfoliation and quick penetration of the next skincare product.

Step 2: Apply a toner and wait until it gets absorbed.

Step 3: Fill your serum’s dropper to half and gently spread it all over your face. Slowly increase the proportion of the serum depending on its concentration levels. Use your fingers and palm to massage your face and let the serum skin soak into your skin. Make sure to do a patch test before applying a new serum to your face.

Step 4: Follow it up with a moisturizer.

I am sure you just cannot wait to try out these top-notch serums in your skincare regime. Without much ado, let me take you through a buying guide that will aid you in making a wiser, and better purchasing decision.

Pro Tip

To get glass skin, you need to maintain an equal time gap between each step. You can opt for 3-5 minutes gap before applying the next product. This enables maximum absorption.

Selecting a Korean serum is not a difficult task if you know what your skin needs. Here are a few aspects to consider while choosing the best Korean serum for yourself.

Ingredients: Always stick to ingredients that your skin is comfortable with. Choose serums that are enriched with niacinamide, white lupin seed, squalene, white willow bark, white daisy flower extract, green tea, and tea tree. These ingredients suit all skin types. In addition, serums with a dollop of hyaluronic acid, hydrating ingredients, anti-aging properties, and skin-nourishing elements should be given priority. Make sure you vouch for a serum that is also rich in such naturally-derived ingredients.

Formula: Ensure that you vouch for a serum that is vegan and cruelty-free. It is advisable to choose a serum that comes with a lightweight formula, and a smooth, and easy-to-glide texture. Such K-beauty serums get quickly absorbed and penetrate deeper into the skin to help you achieve a long-lasting glow. Also note, that these serums boast skin-benefitting ingredients, soothing agents, anti-aging properties, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties to provide you with the glass-like skin of your dreams.

No to Harsh Chemicals: Always avoid serum infused with harsh chemicals such as alcohol, parabens, and sulfates. Pick a preservative-free serum with no artificial fragrance and drool over your healthy skin within weeks.

Directions of Usage: It is advisable to read the direction of usage before every purchase of a serum. Check whether the serum is meant to be applied at night or in the morning. The majority of serums are crafted to suit your AM to PM needs for utmost skin hydration. So, pick what fits well into your skincare regime.

These are the ordinary aspects that you must pay heed to while snagging the most suitable serum for yourself and making every penny count. However, if you wish to dive deeper into the world of serums and target any specific skin concern, keep rolling your screen and allow me to guide you.

Skin Type And Concerns 

Every skin type is unique and hence needs distinctive serum formulations as superfoods to bear fruitful results. To resolve your skincare woes, I have got you covered with a guide that will help you understand which Korean serum will be effective enough to address your so-and-so skin concerns.

Skin Type: Acne-prone and oily Skin

Concerns: Acne, dark spots, and blemishes

Serum: Retinol and salicylic acid

 

Skin Type: Dry Skin

Concerns: Flaky skin, roughness, dehydrated skin

Serum: Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid

 

Skin Type: Sensitive Skin

Concerns: Rashes, redness, skin irritation, itchiness

Serum: Herbal and natural ingredients like snail mucin

 

Skin Type: Combination Skin

Concerns: Oily t-zone, dry skin patches

Serum: Oil-free, ceramide, minerals, vitamins, niacinamide

 

Skin Type: Aging/ Mature Skin

Concerns: Fine lines, wrinkles, and other premature signs of aging

Serum: Amino acids, anti-aging properties, ginseng, snail mucin