12 Best Korean Serums of 2024, According to Experts

This is the OG snail mucin essence that kick-started the skin care world’s obsession with snail mucin. The lightweight formula hydrates and soothes while also speeding up the skin’s healing process. “I use it similar to a serum for an extra boost of hydration, especially in the winter months,” shares Dr. Chang.

Key ingredient: Snail mucin

Size: 3.38 fl. oz.

Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “What can I say about this product that hasn’t already been said? When I press this serum into my skin, it feels like I’m giving it a drink of water; afterward, my face feels plumper, smoother, and happier. I also have sensitive skin, and it’s never caused a single flare-up. Instead, it helps to soothe my redness or any breakouts I have going on at the time. If you still haven’t tried it yet, I think it’s time for you to take the leap.”—Carol Lee, ELLE.com associate beauty e-commerce writer

“The Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum is formulated with two anti-aging ingredients, ginsenomics and ginseng retinol, which have antioxidant and anti-aging properties to improve fine lines and skin firmness,” says Dr. Chang. Reviewers report seeing smoother, softer skin after just a few weeks.

Key ingredients: Ginseng, retinol, hyaluronic acid

Size: 1.69 fl. oz.

Sulwhasoo rating: 4.8/5 stars

A Sulwhasoo reviewer says: “This is a premium-quality serum that I use every other night. Just a dot on the forehead, a dot on both cheeks, and two dots on my neck. It has kept my Gen X skin feeling like I’m Gen Z. I’ve been mistaken for 20 years younger all the time. I don’t even wear makeup, and it’s because of this serum. It sinks in my skin—doesn’t just sit there. Although it is pricey, it is a really good value for your money because your face is worth it.”

According to Dr. Chang, this product was created “to help brighten dull skin and even out complexion.” The antioxidant-rich serum accomplishes its mission with brightening and hydrating ingredients like licorice root extract, niacinamide, and glutathione.

Key ingredients: Licorice water, niacinamide, glutathione, vitamin E

Size: 1.01 fl. oz.

Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I have been using this product for several years now, and I absolutely love it! It keeps my skin hydrated, and I think it’s comparable to a lot of the expensive skin care out there! I have very sensitive skin, and this doesn’t irritate it.”

Yoon recommends this serum for combination skin or “anyone looking to visibly clear, brighten and hydrate skin without heaviness or irritation,” she says. The snail mucin, cica, and pine bark work hand in hand to hydrate and heal the skin, clearing hyperpigmentation, breakouts, and texture in the process.

Key ingredients: Cica, snail mucin

Size: 1.01 fl. oz.

Peach & Lily rating: 4.8/5 stars

A Peach & Lily reviewer says: “Purchased for my daughter after complaints of not being able to find a consistent routine or product that works for her allergy-prone skin and sensitivity. After making the switch, there has been no turning back. Her skin has never looked better. Even skin tone that is not affected when she has a flare up.”

Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum is the ultimate product for warding off signs of aging around the eyes. The formula features a trifecta of powerful ingredients: Ginseng to protect against damaging free radicals, retinal to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and niacinamide to brighten any darkness in the area. “It blends in nicely with the skin and keeps the skin looking smooth and hydrated,” says Dr. Chang.

Key ingredients: Retinal, ginseng extract, niacinamide

Size: 1 fl. oz.

Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “The Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum has become a staple in my skin care routine. It’s lightweight, yet incredibly hydrating, and absorbs quickly without any greasiness. I’ve noticed my under-eye area looks brighter and feels much smoother after consistent use. I’ve seen a reduction in puffiness and fine lines. It works great under makeup too, without causing any creasing or heaviness.”

If you want to use a retinol serum but haven’t found a formula your skin tolerates, you might want to try a Korean one. “This is a gentle yet powerful retinol serum that contains four types of retinol and retinoid to help fight signs of aging,” explains Dr. Chang. “It also contains lactobacillus ferment lysate to strengthen the skin’s barrier.”

Key ingredients: Pure retinol, encapsulated retinol, granactive retinoid, bio-seletinoid (retinoid), lactobacillus ferment lysate

Size: 1.01 fl. oz.

Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I recently purchased the Iope Retinol Serum on Amazon Prime Day, and I’m thrilled with the results! My skin feels smoother and more radiant after just a few weeks of use. The texture is lightweight and absorbs quickly without any irritation. I love how it targets fine lines and improves overall tone. Definitely a game-changer for my skincare routine. Highly recommend!”

“Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum is a powerful combination of three chemical exfoliants that help exfoliate, brighten the skin, and improve skin texture,” says Dr. Chang. Because it also contains centella asiatica, however, it’s less likely to lead to irritation and inflammation—two things that can cause even more acne and uneven texture.

Key ingredients: Tea tree water extract, centella asiatica, AHAs, BHAs, PHAs

Size: 1.69 fl. oz.

Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “Definitely a holy grail for me. I have dry, sensitive skin, and this doesn’t irritate me or cause me to break out. It lasts well over a month for me, and I wash my face and use it twice a day. It’s helped with my breakouts, dryness, and redness.”

According to Yoon, this “is a classic K-beauty serum that leverages Korean herbal ingredients to visibly minimize pores and oil production.” Although it controls sebum, it won’t dehydrate or strip your skin (which can sometimes cause your skin to overcompensate with even more excess oil).

Key ingredients: Ginger root extract, thyme extract

Size: 1.7 fl. oz.

Peach & Lily rating: 4.6/5 stars

A Peach & Lily reviewer says: “I’ve tried so many things over the years to help my skin. I’m so oily and always broke out as a child. This serum is so silky-smooth and rubs on effortlessly. I’ve noticed a huge difference in the oil, and it is helping with the pores. Love this product. I think I’ve actually purchased it about six times so far and plan to keep using it. Highly recommend this.”

Facial oils can feel overly heavy and greasy on the skin. However, this oil-serum hybrid sinks in super quickly as it quenches dry skin. “It combines an exclusive white lotus extract from Jeju Island, packed with antioxidants and flavonoids, and a beautiful oil blend to deeply hydrate and moisturize while visibly brightening and firming skin,” says Yoon.

Key ingredients: Camellia extract, Jeju white lotus extract, lemon fruit oil

Size: 1.7 fl. oz.

Peach & Lily rating: 4.5/5 stars

A Peach & Lily reviewer says: “This serum has a very liquid, essence-like texture, so I was a bit skeptical. But once you rub your hands together and press it in your skin, you feel the wonderful, cushiony oil. This keeps my dry-ish skin nicely plump and hydrated and smells very nice. My skin is also a bit finicky and sensitive, but this is not irritating or making my skin red at all.”

“The HaruHaru Black Rice Hyaluronic Ampoule leverages the visibly brightening, renewing and hydrating properties of black rice to rejuvenate skin and leave a radiant glow,” says Yoon. Other notable ingredients include fine line-reducing adenosine and hydrating hyaluronic acid.

Key ingredients: Rice 2GF, adenosine, hyaluronic acid

Size: 1 fl. oz.

Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I have been using this serum for a few weeks, and the results I have seen have been wonderful. The serum is thicker than most watery serums, moist and not tacky. I use it on a face that has been spritzed with a moisturizing toner, and the glow is real. Give it a go if you are looking for a serum that delivers moisture, comfort, and visible results. I’m a registered esthetician, and I would recommend this product to my friends and clients.”

When you have extremely sensitive skin, even vitamin Cs can sting and irritate. Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Drop contains enough of the brightening antioxidant to fade and prevent hyperpigmentation, but it also boasts centella asiatica, an anti-inflammatory ingredient I love because it always manages to soothe my skin.

Key ingredients: Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), centella asiatica extract, yuja fruit extract

Size: 1.18 fl. oz.

Soko Glam rating: 4.2/5 stars

A Soko Glam reviewer says: “I’ve tried many vitamin C serums and I always, always end up going back to this amazing potion in a bottle. I get so many compliments, and people always assume I just had a facial. It’s lightweight, absorbs into your skin well, and does not leave a greasy feel.”

This serum is bursting with a whopping 73 percent concentration of centella asiatica, an herb used to calm irritation and fade scars. Calamine, another major player in this formula, also helps to gently soothe the skin.

Key ingredients: Calamine, cica, centella asiatica, damask rose

Size: 1 fl. oz.

Amazon rating: 3.9/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “This ampoule helps to calm my skin when it’s red or sensitive. It’s kind of thick, but it goes on smoothly, and it makes my skin feel much better and hydrated.”