I’ve Tested So Many Korean Vitamin C Serums—These 8 Are Worth It
Korean skincare is just doing it better, k?
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If you want bright, fresh, glowy skin but aren't using vitamin C yet, WYED? I'm confused, fr. “Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that has evidence in improving skin brightness, skin tone, as well as stimulating collagen production to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles,” dermatologist Karan Lal, MD, previously told Cosmo. Basically, it's like the gold standard for hyperpigmentation and acne scars to make your skin appear more even, plumper, and firmer. But there's one downside: Vitamin C serums can be a bit irritating, especially if you have sensitive skin. Although, Korean vitamin C serums are doing things a bit differently, offering up varying forms of the active ingredients along with a whole host of soothers to offset dryness.
We already know Korean skincare is a few notches above what we have in America. They're ahead of us in terms of what's trending in ingredients and innovations. So it's not shocking they'd have the leg up on vitamin C formulations. I've been testing them for months (nope, I won't stop talking about the Seoul trip I took this fall!! Sorry!!) and have found some pretty fantastic formulas:
Our top picks for the best Korean vitamin C serums in 2024:
Best Korean Vitamin C Serum for Dry Skin
Innisfree Green Tea Enzyme Vitamin C Brightening Serum
Read more
Keep reading for all of my favorites, plus the need-to-know info from experts on how to use vitamin C.
Pros
- Oil-based texture feels so good to massage into my skin
- I love the radiant finish it leaves on my face
Cons
- Might be too oily for some
Since September, this is the only vitamin C serum I've used, and it's been a game-changer for giving me glowy skin while also protecting against environmental damage and fading some acne scars. Not only does it contain the usual vitamin C, but it's also loaded with lightweight oils to help soften and moisturize the hell outta my skin. We're talking meadowfoam seed oil, macadamia seed oil, jojoba seed oil, and camelia seed oil—all of which make my face extremely glowy without clogging my pores. And to help even out my skin tone, there's a helping of tranexamic acid, which is basically the MVP for reducing hyperpigmentation.
- Key ingredients: Vitamin C, jojoba seed oil, meadowfoam seed oil, macadamia seed oil, camelia seed oil, tranexamic acid
- Size: 0.67 oz
- Skin type: All (but might be a bit heavy for very oily skin)
Glowing customer review: "It's astonishing how fast it worked. I've been using this as a spot treatment on very-dark spots for three weeks, and the spots are noticeably lighter. My entire face looks brighter."
Pros
- Uses a mix of niacinamide, vitamin C, arbutin, and turmeric root extract to fade dark spots
- Packed with soothing ingredients
Cons
- I wish it was in an opaque bottle so the vitamin C wouldn't degrade so quickly
I'll be completely honest: I don't think vitamin C, on its own, is the best ingredient for fading dark spots. If you've got acne scars and sun spots, you're gonna need something a bit stronger to even out your skin tone, which is where a vitamin C formula like this comes in. It also incorporates a mix of niacinamide, arbutin, and turmeric root extract to help slowly reduce hyperpigmentation. But unlike other intense exfoliants out there that promise the same thing, it's a hell of a lot gentler, thanks to a whole bunch of anti-inflammatory ingredients like allantoin, madecassoside, and centella asiatica.
- Key ingredients: Ascorbyl glucoside (vitamin C), niacinamide, arbutin, turmeric root extract, allantoin
- Size: 1.0z fl oz
- Skin type: Oily, sensitive, dry, combination
Glowing customer review: "I’ve been using this serum for a few months now, and the results have been amazing! My dark spots have visibly lightened, and my skin feels healthier overall. Unlike some serums I’ve tried, this one isn’t sticky at all. It absorbs quickly and leaves my skin smooth and hydrated. I can wear it alone, or layer it under makeup without any issues. It doesn’t pill or interfere with my foundation, which is a huge bonus."
Pros
- Extremely hydrating, thanks to hyaluronic acid and squalane
- Love that it comes in an opaque bottle to keep vitamin C fresh
Cons
- Some testers weren't a fan of the ultra-thin consistency
Although vitamin C is billed as an ingredient to give you glowy skin, it's not exactly the most hydrating. In fact, it can actually be a bit dehydrating. Hence why this moisturizing formula is so great for dry skin. It's got the usual suspects—ethyl ascorbic acid, ferulic acid, and vitamin E, the powerhouse trio to help protect your skin—but it also features a combination of hyaluronic acid, squalane, panthenol, allantoin, and sunflower seed oil to hydrate and soothe your skin.
- Key ingredients: Ethyl ascorbic acid, squalane, hyaluronic acid, sunflower seed oil, ferulic acid, vitamin C
- Size: 1.01 fl oz
- Best for: Dry, dull, combination, sensitive
Glowing customer review: "Really brightened my skin and made my dark spots less visible. Smells really fresh and didn’t try out my skin. I put it on before bed and woke up with bright, hydrated skin."
Pros
- Helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles and boost glow with ginseng
- Pairs well with other skincare products
Cons
- More than just a vitamin C serum, so it might not be as potent as others on this list for brightening
As a beauty editor, people are constantly asking me the difference between luxury and drugstore skincare. And while I could probably go on a super long tangent about it, the most notable, for me, is that high-end formulas combine a slew of actives all in one, making your routine simpler and easier. Such is the case with this one from Sulwhasoo, the leader in luxury skincare in Korea (trust me, I went there!).
This serum really is unlike any other one I've ever used. It's meant to be paired as the first step in your skincare routine to boost whatever you layer on top of it, whether that be hydrators and soothers or your nighttime retinol serum. It does so with a mix of vitamin C, of course, plus ginseng to boost circulation and increase antioxidant protection as well as skullcap root extract to soothe. It's pricey, but I find that it really works well with all of the other skincare I combine it with, adding a hella good glow to my skin without irritating it.
- Key ingredients: Ethyl ascorbic acid, ginseng extract, skullcap root extract
- Size: 0.5, 2.2 oz
- Best for: All skin types
Glowing customer review: "This serum is a game-changer for boosting overall skin health. Over time, I’ve seen a visible improvement in my skin’s texture, tone, and elasticity. It provides a radiant glow that makes my skin look youthful and well-rested. The lightweight formula layers beautifully under other products without pilling, making it an excellent first step in my routine."
Pros
- One of the most gentle vitamin C formulas I've tested
- Soothes skin with allantoin
Cons
- A few reviewers didn't like the chemical-y scent
As you'll read, most of the vitamin C formulas on this list are fairly aggressive, ranging anywhere from 15 to 20 percent. Sure, that's great and all—but if you're a beginner to vitamin C or have sensitive skin, you need something much gentler. Enter: This lighter option from CosRX, which not only opts for a 13 percent concentration of L-ascorbic acid, but also incorporates a mix of soothing allantoin and panthenol to round out the ingredients list.
- Key ingredients: L-ascorbic acid, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, allantoin, panthenol
- Size: 0.67 oz
- Skin type: All, especially sensitive
Glowing customer review: "This vitamin C serum has made my face smooth bright and moisturized. The small bumps on my face have slowly gone away. I like the way it makes my face feel moisturized throughout the day. Some people say it feels oily, and it does feel like an oil when you first apply it but then it dries to a natural finish with a slight tacky moisture film, but not at all oily."
Pros
- Helps firm and tighten skin with peptides
- Testers say it leaves their skin looking extremely dewy
Cons
- Felt a bit oily for some reviewers
Want skin so plump and juicy you could (metaphorically) bounce on it? Lemme intro you to this vitamin C serum from Klairs. It's chock-full of peptides and vitamin C, which encourages collagen and elastin production to firm your skin over time. While you're waiting, though, hyaluronic acid gives your skin a whole lotta hydration to help fill in fine lines and wrinkles too.
- Key ingredients: L-ascorbic acid, peptides, hyaluronic acid, skullcap root extract
- Size: 1.18 fl oz
- Skin type: Dry, dull, sensitive skin
Glowing customer review: "I love this product. This is my second purchase and I took a break in between bottles and saw an instant difference. When I use this product it makes my skin glow and shine. My skin looks so hydrated and youthful. This will become a staple for my skin care for here on out. As you can see I am almost out of my second bottle. I have been using it for a couple of weeks and saw instant results!"
Pros
- Uses a mix of vitamin C types, including one that's suitable for acne
- Doesn't include any heavy oils that clog pores
Cons
- Pump is prone to breaking sometimes
The gold-star ingredient in this vitamin C serum is sodium ascorbyl phosphate, which is not only a fab antioxidant and brightener, but can potentially help kill acne-causing bacteria as well. But this treatment also has a bunch of other anti-acne ingredients, including soothing raspberry fruit extract and brightening tranexamic acid and multiple other forms of vitamin C. It's fab for fading dark spots while also preventing zits a lil bit. Two for one, baby.
- Key ingredients: Multiple forms of vitamin C, raspberry fruit extract, tranexamic acid
- Size: 1 oz
- Skin type: All
Glowing customer review: "It was so good if used regularly. I am using this product from the last 9 months and I am so impressed with the results. It really works if you have blemishes and dull skin."
Pros
- Most affordable vitamin C serum on this list
- Uses a potent 20 percent vitamin C
Cons
- Might be a bit too intense for very sensitive skin types
Over 19.800 testers rated this under-$20 serum five stars on Amazon. Let that sink in for a min. In general, people just want a serum that does it all without spending a bajillion dollars, and this one fits the bill. It's got a whopping 20 percent L-ascorbic acid (the purest and strongest form of vitamin C), plus antioxidant-rich ferulic acid and vitamin E, as well as hydrating hyaluronic acid. Is it the prettiest bottle or the most innovative formula? Nope, but it does the job exactly as intended, just as we want.
- Key ingredients: L-ascorbic acid, ferulic acid, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E
- Size: 1, 2 oz
- Skin type: All (but might be a bit too strong for very sensitive skin)
Glowing customer review: "Yes, I have spent the money on bottles of the highly recommended but very expensive Vitamin C serum that is raved about. This one seems equally effective. For one thing, it doesn't smell like hot dog water as vitamin C serums do. I apply after my essence has almost completely absorbed, and it absorbs like a dream, with very little scent and a nice texture that doesn't feel greasy or heavy. It does seem to give me a nice glow! I plan on sticking with this brand for a while. The quality for the price can not be beat!"
What does vitamin C serum do?
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can do a whole host of things for your skin, including help fade hyperpigmentation, protect against free radical and environmental skin damage, and boost collagen production. All of this can help improve your skin's tone and texture, as well as reduce the likelihood of fines lines, wrinkles,a nd dark spots.
How to choose the best Korean vitamin C for you:
Consider your skin type.
Although it seems simple, vitamin C serums can differ greatly in formula, which is why it's so important to choose one that works for your skin type. If you have oily and/or skin, look for one that's free of heavy oils and instead relies on lightweight hydrators like hyaluronic acid and squalane. However, dry skin should look toward more oil-based options, namely those with jojoba oil and/or meadowfoam seed oil, which will not only moisturize but lock in hydration. Sensitive skin, on the other hand, should definitely try beginner-friendly serums that utilize low-ish concentrations of vitamin C (think: below 15 percent), as these are less likely to irritate your skin.
Assess your goals.
Are you looking for a serum to help brighten up dark spots, or do you just want to protect your skin and add a slight glow? If you're intending to fade hyperpigmentation, you should try a serum that incorporates other brightening actives, like tranexamic acid or kojic acid. But if you don't need this intense level of brightening, then look for a formula filled with moisturizers, or soothers. Or if you're all about anti-aging, a peptide-rich vitamin C serum will seriously work to increase collagen production.
Meet the experts:
- Karan Lal, DO, is a double-board certified dermatologist specializing in pediatric and adult dermatology at Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ. His areas of expertise include laser surgery, pigmentation of the skin, and body sculpture.
Why trust ‘Cosmopolitan’?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with six years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories that range from toner pads to pimple patches. She's an authority in all skincare categories, but is an expert when it comes to Korean vitamin C serums after testing multiple formulas on her own skin, reading countless reviews, and interviewing experts.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
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