As a sworn member of the K-beauty fandom and a beauty journalist who tests skin care for a living, I can assure you that Korean vitamin C serums are, by far, the one category that is yet to disappoint me. I reach for these brightening heroes whenever I’m after a serious glow and a more even-looking complexion (a.k.a. always).
And unlike most traditional vitamin C serums that may irritate my sensitive skin, I find that Korean formulas are way more gentle while being equally as (if not more) effective. “They’re often blended with fermented extracts, niacinamide, and calming botanicals to ensure maximum efficacy without compromising the skin barrier,” says Charlotte Cho, a licensed aesthetician based in New York City and cofounder of the Then I Met You skin care brand and Soko Glam. “You could consider that Korean vitamin C serums are gentler and more preventative whereas Western formulations will be more targeted toward existing concerns,” says Christine Hall, MD, a K-beauty expert and general practitioner in medical aesthetics.
To help you find the best of the bunch, I’ve been on a mission to scout the most effective formulas around, having personally reviewed them firsthand. In true Glamour fashion, I’ve spared no effort in identifying all the pros and the cons and assessing long-term benefits. Below, your definitive guide to the best Korean vitamin C serums around.
The best Korean vitamin C serums, at a glance:
- Best Overall: Dr.Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum, $27
- Best Vitamin C Toner Pads: Numbuzin No.5 Vitamin-Niacinamide Concentrated Pad, $18
- Best for Combination Skin: Innisfree Green Tea Enzyme Vitamin C Brightening Serum, $32
- Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Brightening Treatment Serum, $45
- Best for Dark Spots: Haruharu Wonder 4% TXA Dark Spot Go Away Serum, $17
- Best for Mature Skin: TIRTIR Pure Vitamin C 24% Face Serum, $24
1. Best Overall: Dr.Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum
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- Pros: Feels extremely lightweight on the skin; not scented; delivers a nice glow
- Cons: Not hydrating enough to replenish dehydrated skin
One look at the Olive Young (a.k.a. South Korea’s Sephora) global bestseller list and you’ll spot this brightening vitamin C serum from Dr. Althea. “I’m a bit of a tough crtitc when it comes to Korean skin care, particularly where it concerns vitamin C, but this Korean serum is genuinely one of the best formulas I’ve ever put on my face. As someone who has sensitive skin, I loved that it doesn’t irritate my skin or my eyes (unlike most vitamin C serums). It absorbs into the skin instantly, and the brightening benefits are seriously impressive. After just two weeks of consistent use, I noticed that my dark spots were a lot less noticeable and my overall skin tone became more even and brightened,” says Glamour beauty contributor Denise Primbet.
2. Best for Hydration: GOODAL Green Tangerine Vitamin C Serum
- Pros: Genuinely does a great job at brightening and fading dark spots; works nicely with other skin care layered on top
- Cons: Not fragrance-free; feels thicker compared to other lightweight serums
Infused with a powerful blend of 70% green tangerine extract, 4% niacinamide, and arbutin, this brightening serum from Goodal is truly one of the most effective and stable formulas out there, and with good reason. It relies on green tangerines as a natural source of vitamin C to help fade pigmentation and improve post-acne dark spots. It’s also formulated with cica (centella asiatica) to help restore and and nourish your skin barrier, all while avoiding inflammation. “As someone who has sensitive eyes, I was initially put off by the evident citrusy scent. However, after using it for a whole week nonstop, I now fully understand its cult status. Despite not being fragrance-free, this formula from Goodal managed to brighten up my complexion and reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation while keeping my skin nice and plump in the process. Upon applying, it genuinely feels like a tall glass of water satisfying my skin’s thirst. The texture is thicker than what I’m used to, but it’s also incredibly silky, and it doesn’t result in any pilling,” says Primbet.
3. Best for Combination Skin: Innisfree Green Tea Enzyme Vitamin C Brightening Serum
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- Pros: Has a silky texture; feels incredibly hydrating on the skin; delivers impressive brightening results
- Cons: It’s very runny, so you need to make sure to blend it immediately to avoid dripping
Potent yet gentle, this hero formula from Innisfree is nothing short of impressive. It’s boosted by vitamins C and E as well as ferulic acid to help protect the skin from free radicals and bring your dull complexion back to life with its superb brightening benefits. Plus, since it’s also infused with green-tea-derived enzymes, this formula also doubles as a gentle exfoliating serum that ever-so-lightly refines your skin texture, revealing smooth skin. And if that wasn’t enough, this vitamin C serum will also help even out your skin tone and give your skin that extra boost of hydration, all thanks to other equally important key ingredients like tangerine peel extract and niacinamide. “Fun fact: Innisfree was one of the very first K-beauty brands I tried, and this vitamin C serum remains one of my favorite products from their lineup. I love its glow-boosting properties and the fact that, despite its potent formula, it doesn’t irritate my skin whatsoever,” says Primbet.
4. Best Vitamin C Toner Pads: Numbuzin No.5 Vitamin-Niacinamide Concentrated Pad
- Pros: Offers gentle exfoliation; doubles as a toner/serum hybrid and a sheet mask; feels incredibly hydrating on the skin
- Cons: The subtle fragrance may not be ideal for those of us with sensitive eyes
While it’s not strictly a serum, these brightening pads from Numbuzin pack all the benefits of a potent serum and toner hybrid. Plus, it’s ridiculously easy to use. Whether you decide to wear it as a sheet mask for longer or if you’d rather apply it all over and discard immediately, trust us when we tell you that you’re unlikely to come across a K-beauty product as versatile as this one. Suitable for all skin types, these double-sided pads act as both a hydration and brightening boost as well as a gentle method of exfoliation. Infused with glutathione, vitamin C, and niacinamide, they’re formulated to brighten hyperpigmentation and dark spots, all while improving uneven skin tone and reviving dull skin.
“These toner pads have been a mainstay in my morning skin care routine since longer than I can remember, and rightfully so. I tend to leave them on as a K-beauty face mask for a good five minutes to let my skin soak up all of the brightening and hydrating benefits. After using them consistently, I noticed a great improvement to my post-acne dark spots, revealing a brighter and healthier-looking complexion,” says Primbet.
5. Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Brightening Treatment Serum
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing the Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Brightening Treatment Serum
- Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing the Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Brightening Treatment Serum
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- Pros: Visibly plumps the skin; does a solid job at brightening hyperpigmentation; improves skin texture
- Cons: Heavily fragranced
After a quality multitasking serum that brightens, plumps, and refines skin texture? Say less. This guava-extract-infused formula from Glow Recipe is suitable for all skin types, particularly those with acne-prone skin as it doesn’t clog pores and it won’t cause any further flare-ups to your existing breakouts. Apart from vitamin C and guava extract, it also comes enriched with a handful of other equally effective components such as vitamin E and ferulic acid—all to reveal smoother skin texture, a brighter complexion, and a naturally radiant glow.
“I’m a sucker for a formula that targets multiple concerns at once. Apart from its incredibly adorable packaging (signature to the Glow Recipe aesthetic), I was immediately drawn to its clever formulation that combines a trio of brightening and resurfacing ingredients. My skin felt instantly rejuvenated, and I was pleasantly surprised that it didn’t result in any inflammation or unwanted sensitivity whenever I was dealing with yet another PCOS-related breakout,” says Primbet.
6. Best for Dark Spots: Haruharu Wonder 4% TXA Dark Spot Go Away Serum
- Pros: Features centella asiatica, making it a great option for sensitive skin; a triple mix of tranexamic acid, niacinamide and vitamin C delivers impressive results
- Cons: Not fragrance-free
Korean skin care truly shines at being gentle yet effective, and this formula from Haruharu wonder is proof. Formulated with potent 4% tranexamic acid, this antioxidant-rich serum is a great option for most skin types, particularly acne-prone skin. This hardworking brightening hero helps fade away post-acne marks and prevents any further inflammation. Apart from tranexamic acid, this formula is also infused with vitamin C and niacinamide to help maximise the brightening benefits and promote a more even-looking skin tone. Complete with centella asiatica (also known as “cica”), this innovative face serum will also soothe the skin and help repair your damaged skin barrier, making it a natural fit for those of us with sensitive skin.
7. Best Potent Formula: COSRX Pure Vitamin C 23% Serum with Vitamin E & Hyaluronic Acid
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- Pros: Features a potent 29% concentration of pure vitamin C; feels nourishing on the skin; reveals dewy glass-like skin
- Cons: May not be suitable for sensitive skin types. The brand specifies that you will need a patch test prior to committing to using it regularly
If you’re someone who’s looking for a stronger, more potent vitamin C serum, look no further than this formulation from Cosrx, a coveted Korean skin care brand that’s widely recognized for its simple yet effective ingredients. Offering a 23% concentration of pure vitamin C, this formula delivers some serious brightening benefits, resulting in a more even-looking complexion and faded hyperpigmentation. Plus, it’s also infused with vitamin E to slow down long-term skin damage as well as hyaluronic acid to ensure lasting hydration and an improvement to fine lines and wrinkles. That said, since it’s a strong formula, the brand does recommend performing a patch test prior to using it regularly as it could also result in irritation or sensitized skin. Use it as part of your morning routine alongside your trusty SPF and a moisturizer.
8. Best for Mature Skin: TIRTIR Pure Vitamin C 24% Face Serum
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- Pros: Powerful concentration of vitamin C; has a lightweight, nongreasy feel; packs impressive brightening properties
- Cons: The higher concentration may not be suitable for ultra-sensitive skin
Having gone viral all over social media, Tirtir turned into one of the most sought-after K-beauty brands, and deservedly so. Out of its extensive skin care lineup, the Pure Vitamin C serum is a solid choice for those with mature skin, thanks to a whole bunch of tightening and rejuvenating components such as alpha bisabolol and triple collagen. Featuring a 24% concentration of vitamin C, this quality vitamin C serum has been proven to deliver a firmer and brighter-looking complexion in just a few weeks. Not only does it aid in fading away pigmentation and dark spots, but it also helps plump up your complexion, enhance its natural elasticity, and give your skin that much-needed boost of hydration.
Your Korean Vitamin C serum questions, answered
What are the benefits of using vitamin C?
“Vitamin C (or ascorbic acid) is a powerful antioxidant that is proven to not only protect against skin damage but also reverse some of the existing damage that has already been caused by oxidative stress—the process that damages cells, proteins, and DNA, resulting in premature skin aging, loss of collagen, pigmentation, and the formation of lines and wrinkles,” says Dr. Hall.
Some of its many benefits also include “its ability to brighten skin, even out hyperpigmentation, and stimulate collagen production,” says Cho.
According to Cho, “Vitamin C has been growing in popularity in Korean skin care, but the approach is different from Western formulation. K-beauty has introduced many L-ascorbic (pure vitamin C) acid formulations that are more potent and effective but difficult to stabilize with exposure to light and oxygen. That said, they have made progress on making L-asborbic vitamin C formulations to be more shelf stable in recent years.”
“In terms of formulation, Korean vitamin C serums will be lighter and more hydrating. K-beauty places its biggest focus on the skin barrier—restoring, maintaining, and repairing it—so formulations tend to be gentler. This is achieved through the use of milder, more stable forms of vitamin C,” says Dr. Hall.
How should I use a Korean vitamin C serum?
“Vitamin C is best used in the morning because of its antioxidant properties, which help protect the skin from environmental stressors like UV rays and pollution,” says Cho.
As far as application goes, Dr. Hall recommends using it on freshly cleansed skin or after applying toner (or K-beauty toner): “Allow a few minutes for it to soak in before applying your other skin care ingredients. Once soaked, vitamin C has been shown to remain active in the skin for between 8 and 24 hours post-application.”
Is there a difference between ampoules and serums in Korean skin care?
“Ampoules are known as boosters and are more concentrated versions of serums: i.e. the amount of active ingredient in the product will be higher. While most serums are designed to be used once (if not twice) a day, ampoule-style products are designed for using once or twice a week, which is why the packaging size will be smaller,” says Dr. Hall.
Cho also points out that “some Korean brands blur the lines between the two,” so it’s important to pay attention to how the product is labeled and take note of the recommended directions in order to avoid overwhelming your skin.
How we tested the best Korean vitamin C serums
As someone who comes from an Asian background, I grew up using Korean skin care products long before it turned into a professional interest that plays a role in my line of work as a beauty journalist. Over the years I’ve personally reviewed countless viral K-beauty products, including Korean vitamin C serums that are all anyone talks about in the realms of TikTok. When testing each formula, I aim to take note of various factors, including: a) whether it feels greasy on the skin; b) whether it causes any irritation; and c) whether it actually delivers results in helping me brighten my complexion and fade away pigmentation.
Meet the experts
- Dr. Christine Hall, K-beauty expert and general practitioner in medical aesthetics
- Charlotte Cho, a licensed aesthetician based in New York City and cofounder of the Then I Met You skin care brand and Soko Glam
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