The best Korean serums for a glass-skin glow

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.

4. 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-ageing,” she says. “PDRN is popular in Korea for its skin-regenerative, reparative, and brightening properties. This serum also has 3% hyaluronic acid and hydrolysed 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 creates a temporary plumping, firming effect that makes my skin look bouncier and helps makeup glide on seamlessly.

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

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CosRx The Alpha-Arbutin 2 Discoloration Care Serum

CosRx is best known for popularising snail mucin skin care in the early days of K-beauty, but the brand’s latest launches are just as good. I particularly like CosRx’s new Alpha-Arbutin 2 Discoloration Care Serum, which is packed with derm-approved brighteners. “This serum has some of my favourite 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 of months, to see results with any topical regimen,” says Dr. Chang.

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

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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 favourite 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.

7. Best Lightweight Korean Serum: Aestura Atobarrier Hydro Cera-HA Serum

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Aestura Atobarrier Hydro Cera-HA Serum

Aestura’s Atobarrier365 Hydro Cera-HA Serum is my top pick for a hydrating serum that packs long-lasting moisture without feeling heavy or greasy. “If you’re struggling with dry skin, this is a game changer,” says Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City. Dr. Chang loves the “powerful blend” of ingredients, which includes hyaluronic acid, ceramides, triple lipid complex, glycerin, niacinamide, and vitamin E. “It hydrates and repairs the skin barrier, soothes, and brightens,” she explains. She’s also a fan of the smooth, lightweight texture, which she says “absorbs rapidly into the skin, making it great for layering with other products.” While any skin type can get in on its moisturising benefits, it’s particularly effective if you’re experiencing dryness or dehydration. “I noticed an instant improvement in how soft and moisturised my skin was after applying it,” says Dr. Chang. “Over time, this serum helps my skin look glowier and more radiant.”

I have a well-documented love for Aestura’s soothing, nourishing products, and this serum remains a staple in my skin care cabinet on days when my combination skin leans dry or my rosacea flares up. Lately, I’ve been layering it with Aestura’s Atobarrier365 Cream Moisturizer for the ultimate overnight hydration.

Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle is also a fan. “I can’t go a day without this hydrating serum. It absorbs quickly, layers so well with my moisturiser, sunscreen, and makeup, and combined with the Aestura moisturiser, it gives me glass-like skin. As a shopping editor, I’m constantly testing new skin care products, and this is one of my favourites of 2025.”

8. Best Korean Serum for Sensitive Skin: Abib Heartleaf TECA Capsule Serum Calming Drop

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Abib Heartleaf TECA Capsule Serum Calming Drop

Sensitive skin will drink up every drop of this calming, cooling serum. “It’s formulated with heartleaf (also known as Houttuynia cordata) and Centella asiatica, anti-inflammatory ingredients that reduce redness and inflammation,” says Dr. Chang. She particularly recommends this formula for anyone with sensitive or blemish-prone skin, but it’s also a great option for when other skin types are feeling irritated or overheated. It also contains niacinamide, which “helps with brightening the skin and repairing skin damage,” she says.