The 11 K-Beauty Skincare Serums To Try For A Glass Skin Glow
From snail mucin to 10-step routines, Korean skincare never fails to get the internet talking. But don't let renegade ingredients and extensive regimes put you off, Korean skincare brands are known for their refined textures and gentle yet efficient formulas that promise a glass skin effect without upsetting the skin barrier.
'Korean skincare is built on the philosophy that prevention is better than cure,' says facialist and skin expert, Mina Lee. 'Korean serums are usually lightweight and designed to be layered, so the skin absorbs nutrients gradually without feeling overloaded.'
Rather than overwhelming the skin with a high dose of actives, Korean serums tend to nurture the skin barrier so it remains healthy and strong. You will find science-backed active ingredients such as retinol, vitamin C and salicylic acid in Korean formulas, but they're often paired with soothers and hydrators, such as panthenol and cica.
'[Korean skincare] often use ingredients rooted in traditional herbal medicine, refined with modern cosmetic science,' Lee tells ELLE UK. Cica is a go-to for soothing stressed or inflamed skin, ginseng helps to brighten a tired complexion while fermented extracts enhance absorption.
If your skin is on the oilier side of the spectrum, or tends to feel greasy in the summer, try swapping your moisturiser for a hydrating Korean serum under your SPF moisturiser. Since the serums are generally water-based and light, it prevents the skin from feeling heavy. Of course, if you do prefer something richer for dry skin, there are Korean serums that delivers exactly that with added squalane or plant oils.
Those prone to redness in the heat will also love how gentle K-beauty formulas are. 'Anyone with sensitive, dehydrated, or easily irritated skin will notice the benefits quickly. They're also great for people who want visible results but can't tolerate aggressive acids or high-strength retinoids,' shares Lee. 'Many of my clients are surprised at how calm, hydrated, and radiant their skin becomes when we shift to a gentler, layered approach.'
Packed with niacinamide and antioxidant bakuchiol, this silky serum helps with restoring parched complexions and protecting against environmental damage. It contains nourishing plant oils, yet remains light enough for combination skin types.
Don't worry, you won't find bits of pottery in this formula. The name refers to how smooth your skin will feel after continued use of this milky serum. Created to also suit sensitive or irritated skin, rice bran oil and squalane deliver intense hydration without greasiness or pilling under make-up. Oilier complexions can simply layer this before an SPF moisturiser, or use it alongside a face cream if you're prone to dehydration.
A gentle exfoliant, this serum sinks in quickly to rebalance oily complexions and slough away dead cells while refining pores and skin texture. It feels refreshing on hot summer days, but if your skin is especially sensitive, ease into with by applying every two days.
Angry, inflamed spots don't stand a chance against this clarifying serum, which tackles blemishes without further drying out the surrounding area. This serum takes a holistic approach to oily, spot-prone skin. Salicylic acid tackles active breakouts while niacinamide helps to rebalance an oily complexion. Soothing ingredients such as lactobacillus and tea extract help calm any inflammation while ceramides work to rebuild a compromised skin barrier.
While this is technically called an essence, it does function as an ultralight serum that delivers brightening and hydrating properties to oil-prone skin types (yes, you can be oily and dehydrated). It contains galactomyces ferment filtrate which helps with uneven skin tone and when combined with niacinamide, can do wonders for hyperpigmentation.
If you enjoy the sensorial aspect of skincare, consider this all-rounder serum by Laneige. The uplifting fragrance elevates a morning routine while the formula promises to imbue the skin with a gentle glow thanks to a cocktail of antioxidants, plumping peptides and lightweight hydrators.
This no-frills, straightforward serum is designed specifically for irritated, inflamed complexions as Centella asiatica (a type of plant) is highly acclaimed for its soothing properties. A useful serum to have in your arsenal for whenever your skin needs extra comfort.
This underrated serum by Anua is incredibly effective at minimising the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone. The brightening combination of niacinamide, tranexamic acid and arbutin promises an even glow while plant extracts and soothing cica ensures your skin stays nourished and calm.
Designed with fragile complexions in mind, Purito's gentle serum is free from fragrance or essential oils, and is loaded with panthenol, ectoin and allantoin; ingredients that aim to calm, hydrate and bolster the skin's natural barrier. Keep this in your stash for any flare-ups. It's useful for resetting sensitised skin, too.
If you're prone to sensitivity but are keen to try a vitamin C serum, this is a great place to start. It's padded with soothing panthenol and cushioned with hyaluronic acid to lock in hydration. Expect to see a gentle glow in no time.
Hyaluronic acid is found in most skincare formulas, so you may not need a separate one. However, if you're looking for extra hydration that still feels lightweight, it can be a nice addition to your routine. This one by Belif uses seven different kinds of hyaluronic acid for better performance, and is laced with calming allantoin.
Medina Azaldin is the beauty editor of ELLE and Harper's Bazaar UK, working across print and digital features. She has more than seven years journalism experience and has previously written for Red and Good Hoousekeeping. When she's not demystifying the latest skincare ingredient, sniffing out the next big perfume trend or uncovering the science behind wellness practices, you'll most likely find her in Hatchards Piccadilly or watching a crime series with her cats. Oh, and she's a competitive cheerleader, too.
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