11 Best Korean Serums for Glass Skin, Approved by K-Beauty Experts

I personally love this serum for its smoothing, firming effects. The combination of collagen-boosting ingredients works best when I use it regularly, leaving my skin feeling especially bouncy, plump, and soft.

Best Anti-Aging Korean Serum: Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Serum

Sulwhasoo is famous for making some of the best ginseng skin care in K-beauty, and this new Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Serum doesn’t disappoint. “The retinol helps with fine lines, the niacinamide is anti-inflammatory and helps the skin tone stay even, the ginseng is like a super-power antioxidant, and hyaluronic acid keeps skin supple and plump,” says Dr. Chung of the formula. While she recommends it for all ages and skin types, the potent ingredients are especially effective for mature skin or anyone looking to target fine lines and texture. “This serum checks all the boxes,” she says.

I’ve also been testing the formula for the past month and can’t get enough of its immediate plumping, brightening effects. It has a subtle ginseng scent that makes my bedtime skin care routine feel like a soothing treat. With continued use, I’ve also noticed that it helps my cheeks and forehead look and feel smoother.

Best Firming Korean Serum: Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum

Another great take on PDRN is Anua’s PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum, which Dr. Chang and I both love for its intensely hydrating, firming benefits. “This serum contains a powerful trio of PDRN, hyaluronic acid, and collagen to hydrate the skin and work on skin anti-aging,” she says. “PDRN is popular in Korea for its skin-regenerative, reparative, and brightening properties. This serum also has 3% hyaluronic acid and hydrolyzed collagen that help provide a boost of skin hydration.”

Along with Aestura’s Atobarrier Hydro Cera-HA Serum, this is one of the most hydrating K-beauty serums I’ve tested. It has a watery texture that sinks in immediately but still packs a ton of moisture. The combination of hydrating ingredients create a temporary plumping, firming effect that makes my skin look bouncier and helps makeup glide on seamlessly.

Best Brightening Korean Serum: CosRx The Alpha-Arbutin 2 Discoloration Care Serum

CosRx is most known for popularizing snail mucin skin care in the early days of K-beauty, but the brand’s latest launches are just as good. I particularly like the new CosRx The Alpha-Arbutin 2 Discoloration Care Serum, which is packed with derm-approved brighteners. “This serum has some of my favorite skin brightening ingredients, including 2% alpha-arbutin, niacinamide, tranexamic acid, ferulic acid and glutathione,” says Dr. Chang. “It’s great for those with uneven skin tone, dull complexion, hyperpigmentation, or post-acne marks. The star ingredient in this serum is alpha-arbutin, a gentler alternative to hydroquinone that helps to brighten dark spots by inhibiting melanin production.”

Both Dr. Chang and I enjoy the lightweight texture, which she says “absorbs easily without being sticky.” My skin can react poorly to some brightening ingredients, but I didn’t experience any irritation or sensitivities after using this formula daily for a few weeks. “It’s great for those who are looking to brighten the skin but cannot handle chemical exfoliants, retinols, or hydroquinone,” confirms Dr. Chang. While it gives a subtle glow boost on application, patience pays off if you’re looking for long-term, more dramatic brightening. “Remember that it can take time, even a couple months, to see results with any topical regimen,” says Dr. Chang.

Best Korean Vitamin C Serum: Numbuzin No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum

Anyone who’s tired of sticky, greasy, or unpleasantly scented vitamin C serums needs to try Numbuzin’s No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum. I picked up a bottle of this TikTok-viral vitamin C last fall in Seoul and emptied it in a month after using it day and night. “This serum packs a punch if you are looking to even out your skin tone,” says Dr. Chung. “Not only does it contain a special glutathione vitamin C, but it also has niacinamide and tranexamic acid, two actives that are known to help with dyspigmentation.” Dr. Chung also highly rates this serum for anyone with dry or sensitive skin. “Products that help brighten and even skin can be irritating, but this one is the complete opposite,” she says. “It’s gentle and hydrating to the point that oily skin types may find it too heavy!”

I found the texture to be just right for my combination skin, delivering the right amount of hydration without making my skin feel weighed down or oily. But my favorite part of this formula is definitely the visible effect it had on my post-breakout dark spots. After a month of regular use, it faded the marks around my chin and brightened my overall complexion without causing the slightest bit of irritation.

Best Korean Retinol Serum: Iope Retinol Super Bounce Serum

This popular retinol serum isn’t just the best Korean retinol I’ve tried; it’s the best retinol serum in my extensive collection, period. Cho also loves this best-selling formula. “Retinol can be tricky, but this Iope Retinol Super Bounce Serum makes it easy,” she says. “It uses a gentle, stabilized form of retinol that helped smooth my fine lines and boost my skin’s elasticity without irritation—plus, it has soothing ingredients like panthenol and hyaluronic acid to cushion the effect. I use it at night, a few times a week, and always wake up to skin that feels firmer and more even.” If you’re new to the ingredient or find your skin tends to flake and peel after using retinol, give this a try. “I would recommend it to anyone who is just starting out on retinols,” says Cho.

I’ve now on my third bottle of this serum, which is gentle enough for me to use every night while still giving me visible results. In the past, I’ve had to buffer retinols by layering them over moisturizer so I don’t start flaking, peeling, and turning red. Not only does this serum stay gentle, it also makes my skin look smoother, plumper, and more even with continued use. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a retinol skin care product.

Best Korean Serum for Glow: Round Lab Vita Niacinamide Dark Spot Serum

For that signature glass-skin glow, pick up a bottle of Round Lab’s Vita Niacinamide Dark Spot Serum. This lightweight, glow-giving formula was Dr. Hwang’s top pick out of the Korean serums he tested. “Its lightweight texture absorbs quickly without any residue, making it perfect for layering with other products without feeling too rich,” he says. “It stands out as an excellent choice for combating dark spots and dullness. Incorporating this serum into a daily skincare routine can lead to significant improvements in skin tone and texture, providing a radiant and youthful appearance.” The formula is packed with derm-approved ingredients for glow, including antioxidant-rich vitamin tree extract, stabilized vitamin C, niacinamide, tranexamic acid, and glutathione. Dr. Hwang particularly likes the form of vitamin C used because of “its small molecular structure, allowing it to retain its efficacy longer than traditional vitamin C and deliver visible benefits in reducing dark spots.”