If you have acne-prone skin, you know the struggle of trying every product under the sun to clear your breakouts, only to find that nothing works, or worse, that some products make your skin even more irritated and dry.
That’s why I love Korean beauty products.
They have some of the most innovative and effective formulas that target acne without stripping or harming your skin.
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Korean serums are especially amazing because they’re lightweight, fast-absorbing, and packed with potent ingredients that deliver results.
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With so many options out there, sometimes it’s almost impossible simply making a choice.
That’s why I’ve researched for you and compiled a list of 17 of the best Korean serums for acne-prone skin.
Yes, there are so many other serums that could be added to this list but trust me, you won’t regret adding any of these to your skincare routine (if you’re favorite isn’t on the list and you think it should be, get in touch and let me know!).
So without further ado, here are the best Korean serums for acne-prone skin that you should consider adding to your skincare routine:
This serum is a lifesaver for acne-prone skin, containing 83% propolis extract—a natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredient that helps to heal and prevent acne.
It also hydrates and nourishes your skin with vitamins and minerals.
It has a honey-like texture that feels soothing and moisturizing on your skin.
This serum is a dream for sensitive and acne-prone skin.
It contains 70% Centella Asiatica leaf water and 10% tea tree leaf water, which are both amazing for calming and soothing your skin.
It also contains niacinamide and adenosine, which brighten and smooth your skin, respectively.
It has a gel-cream texture that feels lightweight and refreshing on your skin.
This serum is a must-have for acne-prone skin.
It contains 93% fermented ingredients, such as bifida ferment lysate and saccharomyces ferment filtrate, that help to balance your skin’s pH level and strengthen your skin barrier.
It also hydrates and plumps your skin with hyaluronic acid and rice extract.
It has a watery and clear texture that absorbs quickly into your skin.
This serum is a must-have for acne-prone skin.
It hydrates your skin like a dream, while also getting rid of dead skin cells with one swipe.
It contains propolis and niacinamide, which are both great for healing and brightening your skin.
It also has a lovely honey-like texture that feels so luxurious on your skin.
This serum is perfect for oily and acne-prone skin.
It contains peach extract and sake, which are both rich in vitamins and antioxidants that nourish and protect your skin.
It also helps to tighten your pores and control excess sebum production.
It has a light and refreshing texture that smells like peaches.
This serum is another snail mucin wonder that will do wonders for your acne-prone skin.
It contains 80% snail secretion filtrate, which helps to repair damaged skin and reduce inflammation.
It also contains peptides, hyaluronic acid, and cocoa extract, which boost your skin’s elasticity, moisture, and resilience.
It has a viscous and sticky texture that forms a protective layer on your skin.
This serum is ideal for sensitive and acne-prone skin.
It contains 84% centella asiatica extract, which is a superstar ingredient for soothing and healing your skin.
It also contains madecassoside, asiaticoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic acid, which are all derived from centella asiatica and have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
It has a watery and clear texture that absorbs quickly into your skin.
This serum is a lovely treat for your acne-prone skin.
It contains cherry blossom extract from Jeju Island, which brightens your skin tone and reduces redness.
It also contains betaine, which hydrates your skin without making it greasy.
It has a gel-like texture that feels cooling and soothing on your skin.
This serum is a great option for acne scars and blemishes.
It has a blend of Centella Asiatica extract, niacinamide, propolis, and ceramide, which help to heal and fade your marks while also strengthening your skin barrier.
It also has tea tree oil and hyaluronic acid, which soothe and hydrate your skin without making it greasy.
It has a clear and lightweight texture that sinks into your skin in no time.
This serum is a lifesaver for inflamed and irritated skin.
It has 67% tea tree leaf water and 19.5% Centella Asiatica leaf water, which are both superstars for calming and clearing your skin.
It also has licorice root extract and chamomile flower extract, which brighten and comfort your skin, respectively.
It has a watery and refreshing texture that feels like a splash of water on your skin.
This serum is a must-have for hyperpigmented and dull skin.
It has 5% pure vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant that helps to lighten your acne marks and even out your skin tone.
It also has centella asiatica extract, which heals and protects your skin barrier.
It has a slightly oily and yellowish texture that turns clear when applied to your skin.
Don’t worry, it won’t stain your skin or clothes!
This serum is a wonder for damaged and inflamed skin.
It has snail secretion filtrate and bee venom, which help to repair your skin and reduce redness.
It also has niacinamide, adenosine, and sh-oligopeptide-1, which brighten, firm, and boost collagen production in your skin, respectively.
It has a viscous and sticky texture that forms a protective layer on your skin.
Don’t worry, it’s not gross at all!
This serum is great for acne-prone skin.
It has 96% snail mucin, which is a natural ingredient that hydrates, heals, and soothes your skin.
It also helps fade your acne scars and improve your skin texture.
It has a lightweight and non-sticky texture that absorbs quickly into your skin.
Trust me, you’ll love how soft and plump your skin feels after using this.
This serum is a treat for oily and acne-prone skin.
It’s infused with a blend of green ingredients, such as kale, spirulina, and chlorella, that purify and balance your skin.
It also has niacinamide and salicylic acid, which brighten and exfoliate your skin, respectively.
It has a gel-like texture that feels refreshing and cooling on your skin.
It smells like green juice, too!
This serum is perfect for sensitive and acne-prone skin.
It’s formulated with centella asiatica extract, tea tree, ceramide, and five types of hyaluronic acid, which calmly moisturizes, and strengthens your skin barrier.
It has a mild and low pH formula that won’t irritate your skin.
It has a light and non-sticky texture that delivers comfortable moisturizing care.
You’ll love how calm and hydrated your skin feels after using this.
This serum is a dupe for the famous Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair.
It contains fermented ingredients, such as bifida ferment lysate and lactobacillus ferment, that repair and rejuvenate your skin overnight.
It also has niacinamide and retinol, which brighten and smooth your skin, respectively.
It has a silky and hydrating texture that sinks into your skin without leaving any residue.
You’ll wake up to glowing and youthful-looking skin every morning with this serum.
This serum is a must-have for clogged pores and blackheads.
It contains 4% betaine salicylate, which is a gentle form of BHA that unclogs pores and removes dead skin cells.
It also has willow bark water and niacinamide, which soothe and brighten your skin, respectively.
It has a watery and lightweight texture that penetrates deeply into your skin without causing irritation.
You’ll notice a difference in your pore size and skin clarity after using this serum.
Ingredients to look for in Korean serums for acne-prone skin
When looking for the right Korean serum for acne-prone skin, it’s important to look for specific ingredients that can help soothe, protect, and prevent breakouts.
Some key ingredients to look out for:
Niacinamide
Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, is a powerful ingredient that can help reduce inflammation, regulate sebum production, and improve the overall texture of your skin.
It’s a great ingredient to look for in Korean serums for acne-prone skin because it can help prevent breakouts and fade post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
BHA
Beta hydroxy acid (BHA), also known as salicylic acid, is a popular ingredient in Korean serums for acne-prone skin because it can penetrate deep into the pores to unclog them and prevent future breakouts.
It’s also great for reducing inflammation and improving the overall texture of your skin.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can help brighten your skin, fade dark spots, and protect against environmental damage.
It’s a great ingredient to look for in Korean serums for acne-prone skin because it can help prevent breakouts and improve the overall health of your skin.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants, such as green tea extract, can help protect your skin against environmental damage and reduce inflammation.
They’re a great ingredient to look for in Korean serums for acne-prone skin because they can help prevent breakouts and improve the overall health of your skin.
Propolis
Propolis is a natural ingredient that comes from bees and has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
It’s a great ingredient to look for in Korean serums for acne-prone skin because it can help soothe and protect your skin from breakouts.
Sodium Hyaluronate
Sodium hyaluronate is a form of hyaluronic acid that can help hydrate your skin and improve its overall texture.
It’s a great ingredient to look for in Korean serums for acne-prone skin because it can help prevent breakouts and improve the overall health of your skin.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that can help protect your skin against environmental damage and reduce inflammation.
It’s a great ingredient to look for in Korean serums for acne-prone skin because it can help prevent breakouts and improve the overall health of your skin.
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Hydration and moisturizing
When caring for acne-prone skin, hydration, and moisturizing are essential.
Korean serums contain ingredients that help keep the skin hydrated and moisturized, reducing dryness and flakiness that can worsen acne.
In this section, we’ll take a look at some of the best moisturizing ingredients to look for in Korean serums.
Moisturizing ingredients to look for in Korean serums
- Hyaluronic acid: This is a popular ingredient in Korean skincare products, including serums. It’s a humectant, which means it draws moisture from the air and helps to keep it in your skin. Hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, making it an excellent hydrator for dry and acne-prone skin.
- Ceramides: These are lipids that help to strengthen the skin barrier and prevent moisture loss. They can be especially helpful for those with acne-prone skin, as a compromised skin barrier can lead to more breakouts.
- Glycerin: This is another humectant that can help draw moisture into the skin, and it is also non-comedogenic so it won’t clog your pores.
- Aloe vera: It’s known for its soothing and moisturizing properties, which can help to calm inflammation and redness associated with acne.
- Centella Asiatica: This plant extract is known for its skin-healing properties. It can help to soothe and hydrate acne-prone skin, while also reducing the appearance of scars.
- Niacinamide: This is a form of vitamin B3 that can help to improve the skin barrier and reduce moisture loss. It’s also been shown to be effective in reducing inflammation associated with acne.
When looking for a Korean serum for acne-prone skin, it is important to look for ingredients that will help to hydrate and moisturize your skin.
These ingredients can help prevent dryness and flakiness, which can worsen acne.
Furthermore, they can help strengthen your skin barrier and reduce inflammation, resulting in clearer and healthier-looking skin.
Soothing ingredients for acne-prone skin
If you have acne-prone skin, you know how difficult it can be to find skincare products that work for you. Fortunately, Korean skincare brands have a wide range of serums containing calming ingredients that can help reduce inflammation and redness.
In this section, we’ll discuss what soothing ingredients are and how they are used in Korean serums.
What are soothing ingredients?
Soothing ingredients are compounds that help calm and soothe irritated skin.
They work by reducing inflammation, redness, and irritation caused by acne breakouts. Some common soothing ingredients include:
- Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera is a natural anti-inflammatory that can help reduce redness and swelling.
- Centella Asiatica: Centella Asiatica is a plant extract that has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help soothe irritated skin.
- Chamomile: Chamomile is a powerful, natural anti-inflammatory that can soothe redness and irritation.
- Green Tea: Green tea is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe irritated skin.
- Licorice Root: Licorice root contains anti-inflammatory compounds that can help reduce redness and irritation.
Soothing ingredients in Korean serums
Korean serums are known for their potent formulations that contain high concentrations of active ingredients.
Many Korean serums contain soothing ingredients that can help calm and soothe irritated skin.
Here are some common soothing ingredients found in Korean serums:
| Soothing ingredient | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Aloe Vera | Calms inflammation, reduces redness and swelling |
| Centella Asiatica | Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, soothes irritated skin |
| Chamomile | Natural anti-inflammatory, reduces redness and irritation |
| Green Tea | Rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, soothes irritated skin |
| Licorice Root | Anti-inflammatory, reduces redness and irritation |
When looking for a Korean serum for acne-prone skin, look for products that contain these soothing ingredients.
You can also look for serums that are specifically formulated for sensitive skin or acne-prone skin.
Remember to patch-test new products before applying them to your face and always follow the instructions on the packaging.
Final thoughts
Congratulations! You’ve now discovered the 18 best Korean serums for acne-prone skin. By incorporating these serums into your skincare routine, you can bid farewell to acne and welcome glowing, healthy skin.
Whether you’re looking for a serum that targets acne, or signs of aging, or just want to achieve that coveted “glass skin” look, there’s a serum on this list that will meet your needs.
Many of these serums are packed with natural ingredients like green tea, centella asiatica, and niacinamide, which work together to soothe irritated skin, prevent breakouts, and improve overall skin health.
If you’re looking for a serum that will give you a dewy, radiant glow, try the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops.
This serum is packed with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and watermelon extract, which work together to hydrate and brighten the skin.
If you’re looking for a serum that will target acne, try the Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum.
This serum contains a potent combination of alpha-hydroxy acids, beta-hydroxy acids, and polyhydroxy acids, which work together to exfoliate dead skin cells, unclog pores, and prevent breakouts.
If you’re concerned about signs of aging, try the Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Probio Ampoule.
This serum contains probiotics, which help to improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
No matter which serum you choose, make sure to patch test first and then incorporate it slowly into your routine.
Remember, consistency is key when it comes to achieving healthy, glowing skin.
