Koreans and their smooth, clear and glass-like faces.
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They are pretty much obsessed with their skins that they even have a 10-step skincare routine and their market filled with almost every kind of product that promises a youthful and glowing skin.
And if you are into Korean products then you might have perfected your core of Korean skincare products— which includes the cleanser, toner, sunscreen, and moisturizer.
Now, you might want to dive into the world of serums. But if you have sensitive skin, then you need to look out for the best Korean serum for acne-prone skin.
For those unacquainted, serums have this slippery, not oily feel to them and feature tiny molecules of active ingredients which are able to efficiently and quickly penetrate the skin. Its highly concentrated but lightweight formulation makes serum different from moisturizers which are more hydrating and heavier.
Because of this, serums should be used only after you have used a cleanser and toner and before you apply creams. Applying them in such order allows the serum to reach the skin and do its job.
Now, what makes a good Korean serum that is suitable for sensitive and acne-prone skin?
Important Factors To Consider
Skin Type
Your skin type is the main factor when choosing a facial serum. Most Korean serums are specially formulated for all skin types. However, there are some that work on specific conditions such as oily skin, aging or dull skin, extremely dry skin or acne-prone skin.
Ingredients
The serums’ ingredients will be the most important factor you need to consider since they will determine the results. The most common ingredients for serum includes vitamin C, hyaluronic acid as well as oils, vitamins and plant extracts.
Most facial serums are natural and plant-based without synthetic materials making it gentler and safer on the skin.
It is also important to note that serums contain active ingredients. Thus it is recommended that you get only a single serum and don’t try to mix serum since they can interact with each other and may irritate the skin or cause an allergic reaction.
Safety
If you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, then safety is also a priority when choosing the best Korean serum. Surely, you do not want to put just about any product to your skin and call it a day.
Look for important things such as natural and organic ingredients and FDA-approval. You also need to look for the ingredient list and make sure that the serum does not contain any harsh chemicals such as artificial colors, fragrances, parabens, and phthalates.
You also need to see what other customers have to say. This way you will know how good the serum is and if it causes any irritations and other skin problems.
Also, you need to look out for serums which are cruelty-free and are not tested on animals while also being vegan-friendly. Such serums are considered natural and safe to use sensitive skins.
Volume
When deciding for the best value of a facial serum, you need to look for the volume. A good face serum does not need much quantity to work, so you need to compare quantity against price to see if you are getting a good deal.
In addition, you also get to save more money when buying larger bottles.
Consistency
As I have mentioned before, serums are generally lighter than a moisturizer. However, serums also differ in consistency. There are some that feature a lightweight formula that gets absorbed by the skin quickly. While moisturizing serums tend to have a heavier consistency, but still without the greasy and oily feeling that comes with moisturizers.
Your Beauty Routine
You also need to check if the serum will suit the rest of your beauty routine. There are some serums which do not mix well with particular ingredients or might be recommended to be used on their own which will not suit your existing skincare routine.
A good Korean facial serum should be able to work with what you already have and not make your skincare routine more challenging.
Our Top Picks for the Best Korean Serum For Acne-Prone Skin
#1 SeoulCeuticals Vitamin C Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Boasting over 1,000 reviews on Amazon, SeoulCeuticals offers this potent Vitamin C Hyaluronic Acid Serum that is 98 percent all-natural, making it safe for those with extra sensitive skin.
This serum is proven to help in reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and crows feet. In addition, its potent vitamin C content also helps in quickly fading sunspots, guaranteed to provide you with a more youthful and brighter complexion.
Not only that, but the Korean facial serum also helps in shrinking your pores, clearing up acne and preventing breakouts as well as minimizing the appearance of acne scars, so you have smoother, cleaner skin. SeoulCeuticals promises to offer results within 3 weeks of daily use.
#2 Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
Specially formulated to clear the skin of blackheads, the Cosrx Blackhead Power Liquid is clinically proven to reduce the formation of blackheads, remove excess sebum and hydrate the skin.
Since it helps remove excess oil as well as cleaning the skin of dirt, it also helps in preventing acne breakouts. Featuring Betaine Salicylate which is a natural BHA ingredient, this facial serum has a stronger effect as well as skin-safety, making it suitable for acne-prone skin.
In addition, the use of White Willow Bark Water instead of purified water help makes the facial serum potent for effective results. What’s more is that the product is free of artificial fragrance, colorant, paraben, phthalein and triethanolamine that can cause irritation and harm to your already-sensitive skin.
#3 MIZON Snail Intensive Repairing Serum
This serum from MIZON help repair skin damage, lightens dark spots, reduces the appearance of pores and fine lines, provides good moisture and helps with your acne breakouts. It has a special formula rich in plant extracts which has a powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
However, its star ingredients are 80 percent snail secretion filtrate. This exotic ingredient has been used in several Korean beauty products thanks to its skin-friendliness and also contains essential nutrients such as glycolic acid, elastin, antioxidants, and proteins.
In addition, the ingredient has anti-microbial properties and is proved to effectively promote scar and wound healing. And it has helped with photodamage as well. People who are prone to acne breakouts and other skin issues are recommended to consider serum since it has helped in greatly reducing acne and is quite safe for sensitive skin.
The serum also contains alcohol. And although this controversial ingredient is considered harmful in the West, in South Korea, this ingredient included in just the right amount can greatly benefit the skin to increase its absorption. You will also like that the serum contains no artificial fragrances and free of harmful chemicals.
#4 DearKlairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Serum
Add a burst of energy to your face with this Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Serum from DearKlairs. IT contains a 5 percent concentration of vitamin C which is the right amount for those with sensitive and acne-prone skin.
Vitamin C is needed for the production of bind molecules producing collagen. And the more collagen in your skin, then the stronger and better your skin looks. With enough collagen on the skin, it rejuvenates from the roots and helps in reducing wrinkles, fine lines and other signs of aging.
In addition, this serum also helps in improving the production of elastin that heals, thickens and protects the skin. It also helps in retaining moisture to keep the skin hydrated and plump. The serum is also lightweight, oil-free and breathable so you will not feel any greasiness and stickiness, making it suitable for oily skin.
Also, it has a very light herbal scent which is not too strong and is not irritating, so it is safe for sensitive skins.
#5 Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Serum
The Missha Time Revolution Serum is an anti-aging serum with powerful ingredients which brightens and soothes tired and aging skin. Its long list of safe ingredients making it suitable for every skin type.
The formula contains Lactococcus, Lactobacillus, and Fermented Bifida which help improve your skin and makes it look healthier and youthful. Meanwhile, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate provides a protective barrier and features antioxidant properties that repair your skin while deeply moisturizing and improving your skin’s natural barrier.
The serum features a very smooth, light liquid with an unusual and spicy scent which you expect on perfumes. It is super easy to apply on the skin without the oily feeling. After several days of usage, Missha promises that you see a more hydrated, brighter, and smoother skin.
#6 AHC Vitamin B5 Serum
A natural skin healer, the AHC Vitamin B5 Serum help in calming down skin issues caused by changes in external and internal environments. It provides relief from pain and itchiness, reduces redness, dryness and acne breakouts.
The serum features hyaluronic acid as its key ingredient. This provides a natural moisturizing factor which has the ability to contain over 1,000 times of its own weight, making it one of the most effective moisturizing ingredient. Thus, the serum helps replenish the moisture of your skin and deeply hydrate rough and dry skin.
In addition, the formula also contains Vitamin B5 which densely fills your skin with water in order to provide long-lasting hydration and reveal plum and radiant skin. The serum also contains dozens of effective herbal extracts such as Panax ginseng, Centella and gingko leaf that deeply soothes, repairs and balances your skin.
This serum boasts a slight fragrance that is not overpowering and has a thick consistency that quickly absorbs into the skin. Also, thanks to its skin-safe ingredients, there will be no irritations, making it suitable for sensitive and acne-prone skin.
#7 COSRX Blemish Spot Clearing Serum
Another great serum from COSRX, this multi-functional serum helps provide a solution for tone-balancing, calming and recovering from acne breakouts. The serum is formulated with 3 potent ingredients derived from Centella Asiatica which helps problematic and soothe irritable skins.
EGF helps acne-prone skin to produce collagen and elastin to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. The formula also contains 4 percent Niacinamide that helps refine dullness and tired skin as well as reducing hyperpigmentation caused by acne for radian and clear skin.
This highly concentrated serum only requires a drop or two to use on the face and is quickly absorbed by the skin without the greasy or oily feeling. In addition, the serum is dermatologist tested, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free and paraben-free making it suitable for those with extra sensitive skins.
#8 Cos De BAHA Niacinamide 10 Serum
This serum from Cos De BAHA combines powerful vitamin B3 and Hyaluronic acid in order to reduce wrinkles and fight free radical damage while providing extra protection against the harmful UV rays. This results in fresh and plump skin with good tone and texture. Not only that, but Cos De BAHA also added allantoin, an ingredient that is known to be effective on certain skin conditions such as eczema, itching, acne, and inflammation.
This niacinamide serum contains 10 percent vitamin B3 offering natural soothing properties which actively tone your skin and addressing acne breakouts, red marks, blemishes as well as relieving irritated skin. It deeply moisturizes and nourishes your skin to minimize blotchiness and reducing hyperpigmentation to offer your face a youthful glow that you have always wanted.
With daily use, this serum helps diminish the appearance of your pores and supports a healthy elasticity that helps fine line, wrinkles, and puffiness. Free if hydroquinone and other harsh chemicals, this facial serum is extremely gentle and is safe for irritable and sensitive skins. The lightweight formula offers a non-greasy feeling and can be worn under makeup or other Korea ski-care products.
#9 Be Plain Cicaful Ampoule
Cica is quite popular in the Korean beauty industry, thanks to its notable improvement in the skin’s moisture, as well as healing wounds, burns and incisions And this serum from Be Plain features 84 percent Centella Asiatic Extract instead of distilled water for skin recovery.
One of the best acne treatment serum, this product offers better and youthful skin while reducing dark spots, skin redness and acne marks. It helps reduce red bumps and provides intense moisture, giving your face a more youthful and plump appearance.
In addition, the serum also features EWG Authorized safe ingredients including Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Penthylene Glycol, and glycerin. IT is made without harsh chemicals, making it safe for sensitive and acne-prone skin.
The serum naturally enhances skin cell production and make your sensitive skin livelier while replenishing essential nutrients for healthier skin. With its lightweight formula, it gets easily absorb deeper into the skin without leaving a greasy or oily feeling.
#10 SKIN FOOD Royal Honey Propolis Enriched Serum
SKIN FOOD created a moisturizing serum made from 63 percent black bee propolis extract, 10 percent black honey extract and 10 percent royal jelly extract. Instead of using distilled water, this serum is packed with matured honey that delivers a concentrated natural moisturizing effect to the skin.
This fully nutritious and sweet serum helps build a firm barrier for moist and radiant skin. Honey has been considered a rare delicacy since ancient times and features medicinal properties including anti-aging and antiseptic properties.
The serum contains no harsh chemical and uses skin-friendly ingredients, making it safe for those with sensitive, irritated and acne-prone skin. It features a watery gel consistency which is easily absorbed by the skin without the oily and greasy feeling.
#11 Elizavecca Hell Pore Control Facial Serum
Elizavecca features an all-powerful serum that helps control pores while keeping your skin deeply hydrated and moisturized. Featuring 97 percent hyaluronic acid, this serum helps attract and replenish moisture and the skin for plump and glowing skin.
It also helps in removing wrinkles and fine lines and boosting your skin’s elasticity for a youthful appearance. In addition, this serum also helps whiten dark spots as well as soothing your irritated skin. Made without harsh chemicals, this serum is suitable for all skin types including acne-prone skin.
#12 COSRX Centella Blemish Ampoule
Another great COSRX serum staple for acne-prone skin, the Centella Blemish Ampoule helps in keeping the painful inflammation down while hydrating the skin and treating active acne breakout.
It features the active ingredient Centella Asiatica which shows outstanding anti-stress ability and is designed to control sebum production as well as building better moisture retention. IT should provide continuous hydration in order to maintain healthy skin, all without harmful chemicals that could cause discomfort and irritation on the skin.
Conclusion
Trying to keep up with all of the modern beauty trends can be quite overwhelming— especially if we are talking about the crazy Korean routine.
And it is no wonder why serums are having a moment and popping up right between the cleanser and moisturizer. It is a one-step in any beauty routine that helps strengthen or intensify their beauty routine round-up.
And with the serums listed above, you can ensure that you get an effective and potent but safe Korean serum for better skin results in no time!
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