Index / Beauty of Joseon / Glow Deep Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide
Beauty of Joseon

Glow Deep Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide.

Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide
Serums

About this product

A lightweight gel serum combining 2% alpha arbutin and 68% rice extract, designed to brighten skin tone and improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation while delivering hydration.

Full ingredients

Guru Score

82%

Yay

16 experts · Strong agreement
16Gurus
14Yay
1Mixed
1Nay

What they liked

  • Lightweight gel texture suits oily skin
  • Sticky tacky texture plumps and hydrates
  • Safe for acne-prone skin with propolis and neem

What they flagged

  • May disappoint if skin is already clear

What the gurus are saying

This serum earns consistent praise for being remarkably gentle on sensitive skin, particularly for people who have struggled with irritation from other vitamin C products. The alpha arbutin and rice extract do brighten and even out tone, though gurus note the effect is moderate rather than intense, making it best suited as a first step for mild discoloration rather than stubborn dark spots that have been there for years. The lightweight gel texture works across skin types, though it has a slightly sticky feel that some find plumping and hydrating.
Synthesized from 16 expert reviews · most recent take September 2026

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored
Yay
"The Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum is secretly an amazing serum for acne prone skin. This contains 2% of niacinamide which is great for brightening but it's also great for strengthening your skin barrier, one of the first defenses against the acne bacteria. This also contains propolis, which is an amazing very gentle antibacterial and anti-inflammation ingredient that really helps to soothe acne prone skin, take down the swelling and the redness and the look of the pimples. This also contains a very gentle form of BHA which is betaine salicylate, which is actually a cousin to salicylic acid but it's about two times gentler than salicylic acid. That's what makes this a gentle solution that you can use every single day to help take down your congestion and breakouts because betaine salicylate, just like salicylic acid, can exfoliate deep within your pore lining to release the clogs and the congestion deep within your pores. This has a thick gel texture that actually is moisturizing. It's another reason why it's one of my favorites for fall because it's a very nourishing, protective gel texture. It's not overwhelming like a cream type of product would be, but it does offer a little bit more moisturization to the skin."
All 6 takes from Kelly Driscoll
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"I really like this one because it's a great serum that addresses acne and breakouts on the skin and congestion but it also addresses hyperpigmentation from the inflammation you might be getting from your acne congestion and pimples so I like that it targets more than just one thing. This also has a texture that is unlike a lot of the products I've talked about. It's not going to work for everybody. It is more of a medium moisturizing gel texture so it's a little bit more weighty on the skin. It's not like the really watery that dives in deep kind of feel. It's much more moisturizing, it's thicker, it's plumping but it's going to feel heavy I think for more oily skin types. So I think it can be a letdown for certain skin types that will make sense why it's not higher up in the rankings. It's not going to work for everybody but for that kind of very specific situation with breakouts inflammation hyperpigmentation all of that and that medium gel texture work through your skin type like combination or dry, this is a really nice one."
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"My favorite is the glow serum. This is a great combination of propolis and niacinamide. This is a formula that really is about teasing out a healthy lit from within glow to your skin. And that's what propolis can do. It's a byproduct. It's not honey, but it's similar to honey. It has antibacterial properties, skin healing properties. It's particularly good for folks who do suffer with acne because it can reduce inflammation and redness but also promote that healing plus the antibacterial benefits of it. But it does also make the complexion very glowy, lit from within, healthy looking. Plus the niacinamide which can help to fade dark marks associated with inflammatory acne events on the skin, or just dullness or unevenness with the complexion. This is a product that they do market for oil control, but I will admit to you, it has quite a thick texture. It's a medium gel texture that has a moisturizing element to it. And I think for some folks who deal with a lot of oil on their skin, this texture will actually feel heavy for you. So while niacinamide is an oil controlling ingredient, texture-wise, I don't think it's going to feel great for super duper oily folks. And so this is actually something that I more recommend for combo skin."
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"I adore this. And this is a product that is so good especially if you have sensitive skin and you have acne or you break out and you have congested skin because this is such a good gentle anti acne serum. So the traditional ingredient here propolis extract 60%. Propolis is like a byproduct, it's somewhat related to honey. It has a lot of similar properties to honey. It's antibacterial. It's anti-inflammatory. It promotes wound healing on the skin. It actually moisturizes the skin and brings out a really healthy gorgeous kind of like lit from within healthy type of glow to the skin. Propolis has been used in so many cultures and over long periods of time. It's often used for wound healing which can actually be good for well aging but it can also be good for acne prone skin because when you pop a pimple or it comes through the skin is broken, it needs mending, it needs wound healing. The anti-inflammatory properties and the antibacterial properties of propolis have been renowned for centuries and are really good properties for acne prone skin. It's also got 2% of niacinamide."
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"I really love the glow serum that's propolis and niacinamide. Propolis is a byproduct of bees, it's like bee glue if you will, and it's very anti-inflammatory, it's very healing especially for acne prone skin, and it brings a really lovely glow to the skin. They've married that with niacinamide and they've created a moisturizing gel texture. This gel is a lot heftier, more medium weight. You're going to feel it more on your skin. It's not a light hydrating runny gel, it's more moisturizing on the skin."
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"I love that Beauty of Joseon has used arbutin instead of niacinamide in this brightening serum and I think that it's a really interesting combination with the other extracts that they're using, the rice extract, and they've created a really nice texture here. The other brightening serum in the lineup is a little bit thick, a little moisturizing, and a little sticky for some folks, so this is a really nice alternative because it's a lighter gel texture that feels watery, slightly hydrating on the skin, very quick absorbing. It's not sticky at the top, doesn't have that thickness to it, doesn't have that stickiness to it. I think that this is going to feel really good for the majority of skin types. A lot of different people will like this serum. It feels great on the skin and it plays well with other skincare products too."
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"The Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum is secretly an amazing serum for acne prone skin. This contains 2% of niacinamide which is great for brightening but it's also great for strengthening your skin barrier, one of the first defenses against the acne bacteria. This also contains propolis, which is an amazing very gentle antibacterial and anti-inflammation ingredient that really helps to soothe acne prone skin, take down the swelling and the redness and the look of the pimples. This also contains a very gentle form of BHA which is betaine salicylate, which is actually a cousin to salicylic acid but it's about two times gentler than salicylic acid. That's what makes this a gentle solution that you can use every single day to help take down your congestion and breakouts because betaine salicylate, just like salicylic acid, can exfoliate deep within your pore lining to release the clogs and the congestion deep within your pores. This has a thick gel texture that actually is moisturizing. It's another reason why it's one of my favorites for fall because it's a very nourishing, protective gel texture. It's not overwhelming like a cream type of product would be, but it does offer a little bit more moisturization to the skin."
Yay
"Combines centella asiatica and stabilized vitamin C. Centella is great for calming and soothing, vitamin C boosts luminosity, provides antioxidant protection, and at the margins can help fade hyperpigmentation. Used together, a recent study showed that vitamin C and centella asiatica in the same formula quadruples the amount of additional collagen produced versus using vitamin C on its own. You could swap out a standalone vitamin C serum for this and still get the calming and soothing from the centella while maintaining your vitamin C results. It comes in a convenient pump and is really inexpensive, often around 11 or 12, though price can differ retailer to retailer."
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All 3 takes from Mad About Skin
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"This is definitely the most gentle of all the ones I've mentioned today. So if you hear like brightening serums, multi-actives, high potency, and this kind of terrifies you a bit, I think my skin could freak out, I want something that's super gentle but in the long term will deliver that little radiance boost and glow up, this is a great option. This has propolis, wonderful ingredient, calm, soothe, repairs and increases the glow of the skin. You've got niacinamide. You've also got some other glow enhancing ingredients too. So yes, definitely one of the most gentle of the brightening serums on the market, but a really really nice one all the same. You don't get a whole lot of product in this, but I probably would only use a couple of drops spread evenly out on the skin morning and evening, and over time you'll definitely see that boost to radiance to luminosity, but you'll get practically zero sensitivity and irritation. I definitely applaud Beauty of Joseon for formulating with niacinamide in what I call an appropriate concentration. All the studies show that niacinamide works best in the strength of between two and five percent. That's what Beauty of Joseon have gone for. If you go for too high a concentration you actually get way more sensitivity or risk of sensitivity, but not necessarily enhanced results."
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"This is the Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum. This uses stabilized vitamin C, as with the Remedy one, so a long shelf life, but uses it alongside Centella asiatica. A recent study showed that if you use vitamin C and Centella asiatica together, it quadruples the amount of additional collagen produced versus just using vitamin C on its own. If you turbocharge it with Centella asiatica, it kind of kicks it up a notch, meaning it really is a high performance collagen booster. I love this and I think it's a great option for anyone that's using their vitamin C primarily for anti-aging. This is the one that I would go for. Really inexpensive but packs a punch."
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"Combines centella asiatica and stabilized vitamin C. Centella is great for calming and soothing, vitamin C boosts luminosity, provides antioxidant protection, and at the margins can help fade hyperpigmentation. Used together, a recent study showed that vitamin C and centella asiatica in the same formula quadruples the amount of additional collagen produced versus using vitamin C on its own. You could swap out a standalone vitamin C serum for this and still get the calming and soothing from the centella while maintaining your vitamin C results. It comes in a convenient pump and is really inexpensive, often around 11 or 12, though price can differ retailer to retailer."
Yay
"This one's really lightweight. It's almost like this honeylike serum designed to soothe irritation while adding nice glow. It's very beneficial for sensitive or reactant skin thanks to its calming and barrier supporting formula. It has this high concentration up to 60% of propolis extract which is a resin-like material made by bees with really strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. So, it's going to help with like redness, breakouts, dullness, but it's also going to gently even out the skin tone. The key ingredients are propolis extract at 60%, niacinamide at only 2% so good for sensitive skin, hyaluronic acid and glycerin to help support and nourish the skin while niacinamide does its job."
Nay
"This one is popular with a lot of people, but that just means it's not really amazing and not really bad, it's just okay, nobody picked it as their best. If it's summer and you have normal skin you could just try it on. Except for me, nobody else on the team had used it before and I didn't even recognize it. Even though it has propolis it doesn't have a strong scent, it's a small bottle, but I didn't even finish it, which means I didn't really see that much difference. Yuna, who has drier skin than me, said it doesn't feel like it's working well for hydration. It's affordable, but nah."
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"This one is popular with a lot of people, but that just means it's not really amazing and not really bad, it's just okay, nobody picked it as their best. If it's summer and you have normal skin you could just try it on. Except for me, nobody else on the team had used it before and I didn't even recognize it. Even though it has propolis it doesn't have a strong scent, it's a small bottle, but I didn't even finish it, which means I didn't really see that much difference. Yuna, who has drier skin than me, said it doesn't feel like it's working well for hydration. It's affordable, but nah."
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"Beauty of Joseon has four different serum types, but the propolis one is the most popular, and I kind of like it the most, not too sticky or too heavy, I can feel it's hydrating, it's okay as a daily serum. I gave it to my husband, who has oily skin, and he said it's pretty good, which means it's easy to use. I'd give this an A+, plus one more point because it's easy to find quickly."
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"The rice and green tea glow serum is relatively light, which is fine for oily skin. It just makes my skin feel moisturized, but it doesn't last long, it wears off quickly. The size is also small, which is good for carrying around, but it's okay to use and I don't feel the need to buy it again since there are more affordable and better working versions out there."
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"Beauty of Joseon's most popular serum is the propolis one. It's very lightweight and absorbs well, but it didn't do anything for my skin, no fragrance, it's just okay. It's too pricey if you think about how little product you get, because you can't see the effect from using this alone. I think Beauty of Joseon's best product is actually their sunscreen, go with that instead."
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"It's very lightweight and absorbs naturally, good enough for oily skin, it feels a bit glue-like when you apply it, but that's about it, and it dries out too quickly. You have to use it for a month or two to see the effects, but the bottle is too small. There are so many better serums in K-beauty, pass."
Yay
"I used the Beauty of Joseon serum with centella and a vitamin C derivative, three-O-ethyl ascorbic acid, at ten percent. Even at the end of this trial I still do think the Beauty of Joseon is a good option."
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"I used the Beauty of Joseon serum with centella and a vitamin C derivative, three-O-ethyl ascorbic acid, at ten percent. Even at the end of this trial I still do think the Beauty of Joseon is a good option."
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"This really is a good choice for acne prone skin types like myself, though not everybody deals with acne. It has sixty percent propolis extract, which is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial and antifungal, so it's good news if you also have acne prone skin, as long as you're not allergic to propolis. It also has two percent niacinamide, which at that level helps balance sebum production and increase hydration and prevent water loss, so it's good for oily skin, acne prone skin, dry skin and damaged skin, though it may not be enough for fighting hyperpigmentation. There's also turmeric, neem, tea tree extract and some baicalin, a derivative of salicylic acid. In my opinion this comes together to be a great option for people with acne prone, oily or dry skin, basically anybody might like this. That said, if your skin is already in a pretty good place I don't think this will actually do all that much for you, and I have seen a few people say it just didn't do enough for them. But I've gone through every bottle of this I've had and I will go through this one too."
Yay
"We have the Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum with propolis and niacinamide. If you're allergic to fragrance be really careful with propolis because propolis can cross react with a lot of fragrance allergies, but it is a very hydrating ingredient. Centella asiatica extract is anti-inflammatory. Niacinamide is good for redness, dark spots, and moisture barrier."
Yay
"Coming at 20 bucks is the Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum with Propolis and Niacinamide, a newer one that just came to me a couple weeks ago. It's a brightening moisturizer, very nice and very light, but the nice thing is you can use this one morning or evening or both. In here we've got seabuckthorn, we've got niacinamide, we've got panthenol, tranexamic acid which is another great brightening ingredient in addition to the seabuckthorn extract, glutathione which is another nice brightening ingredient, and then bisabolol which is a nice soothing ingredient. This stuff is really nice. Joseon has done a pretty good job with a lot of their products and whenever they come out with some new stuff I'm always excited about it."
Yay
"I've had a complicated relationship with vitamin C serums, most of them have broken me out like crazy. I tried so hard, I probably bought like three or four bottles and they just broke me out no matter what I did. So this is incredibly gentle, which I really really love. My experience with Korean vitamin C serums has been very positive. They're very very gentle, they don't break me out, they don't pill with anything. I've really been loving this one, so if you're looking for something and you've had that problem, highly recommend."
Yay
"The glow serum which is niacinamide and propolis is for anyone who has normal to combination skin. It's gentle and if you're not looking for anything that's 5% or 10%, you know, use this one. The Deep Glow is a product that I have recommended since I've put it up in my recommendations here because this is rice and arbutin. You get all the benefits, you get rice. This is a brightening serum, a single ingredient serum. If you have any kind of pigmentation, then this product is for you."
Mixed
"It's got 2% Alpha arbutin plus some niacinamide and humectant properties so it does what it says but you're not really going to get much hyperpigmentation benefit. I'm happy for you to use this as your first line cheap product for improving skin tone, you're not going to get much for severe hyperpigmentation that's been there for a while."
Yay
"If you're looking to add some dew and radiance or continue that with your skin for fall winter you must add the Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum with propolis and niacinamide into your routine. This is a lovely serum I love it for lots of different reasons including the fact that it has a good concentration of niacinamide at 2%, which we actually know is the better concentration between 2 to 4% is really the ideal concentration because it has the most number of studies to show its efficacy. This one not only does contain that 2% niacinamide, also contains 60% propolis which is derived from honey and bees that we know has great hydrating skin barrier support benefits, and together in this hydrating serum really gives you so many benefits including helps to brighten your skin, improving skin texture, skin tone, may even offer some sebum reduction in the sense we know niacinamide one of the benefits is that it helps to temporarily reduce oiliness so for those that are acne prone or struggling with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation this is something you can add into your routine."
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"The first one is from Beauty of Joseon, their Glow Deep Serum, that contains 60% propolis and 2% niacinamide. This is just a really nice slightly thicker serum but very lightweight, non-sticky, and leaves your skin very hydrated. Ingredient-wise, with the propolis and the niacinamide, I can see this being beneficial for individuals who are suffering from hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, niacinamide can be really helpful with that. And then the propolis, as I mentioned, can really help to hydrate, plump the skin. Just a really nice hydrating serum."
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"If you're looking for a dewy glow, the Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum is really nice. It contains 68% rice extract along with 2% niacinamide, and rice also has some brightening benefits at the same time. You can use it all over and it's a great hydrating serum. I find it to have a little bit of a sticky tacky texture but it's great. It does really help to plump your skin."
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"If you're looking to add some dew and radiance or continue that with your skin for fall winter you must add the Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum with propolis and niacinamide into your routine. This is a lovely serum I love it for lots of different reasons including the fact that it has a good concentration of niacinamide at 2%, which we actually know is the better concentration between 2 to 4% is really the ideal concentration because it has the most number of studies to show its efficacy. This one not only does contain that 2% niacinamide, also contains 60% propolis which is derived from honey and bees that we know has great hydrating skin barrier support benefits, and together in this hydrating serum really gives you so many benefits including helps to brighten your skin, improving skin texture, skin tone, may even offer some sebum reduction in the sense we know niacinamide one of the benefits is that it helps to temporarily reduce oiliness so for those that are acne prone or struggling with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation this is something you can add into your routine."
Yay
"Beauty of Joseon is already like a really good price point. These serums are like $14, you can even find them for like $10. Beauty of Joseon has like some of the highest quality skincare ingredients out there in beautiful formulas that are already accessible."
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"I've always loved their creams, I think they're amazing, and this one particularly is good if you want a little bit of hydration and moisture for the skin. Propolis is awesome for providing that deeper nourishment, but it also has niacinamide in it as well. It has sodium hyaluronate, turmeric, tea tree, centella asiatica, lotus seed extract. Beauty of Joseon can do no wrong in my eyes. If you've ever used propolis before it can feel very heavy on the skin, and I never noticed that with this serum. If you're someone who struggles with dehydration, you want to add a little bit of glow to the skin, this is an awesome formula to test out. Beauty of Joseon has such good prices. This serum is a win."
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"Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum, oh my gosh, absolutely yes. I love all the Beauty of Joseon serums, they're all great. I've tried that one too. You all have seen the popularity of the Beauty of Joseon sunscreens, but I was actually using the serums way back in the day, like back in 2020, 2019. They're awesome."
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"Beauty of Joseon is already like a really good price point. These serums are like $14, you can even find them for like $10. Beauty of Joseon has like some of the highest quality skincare ingredients out there in beautiful formulas that are already accessible."
Yay
"If you want K Beauty there's a beauty of Joan or beauty of joen they actually have a very good Alpha arbutin serum I've seen amazing reviews on it online"
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"I've seen amazing before and afters but I am cruelty free vegan so I don't use bee products and that's actually where it's really difficult for me because when I'm talking to patients or clients I want to give them informed consent and I'll tell them straight up it's a great product it works well people see good before and afters but it's not something that I put my money towards. I won't buy it I won't spend my money on it but it's really good. Other products from this brand like their sunscreen are better."
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"If you want K Beauty there's a beauty of Joan or beauty of joen they actually have a very good Alpha arbutin serum I've seen amazing reviews on it online"
Yay
"The texture is viscous and bouncy, very jellylike. This contains 60% propolis extract and I think pairing it with niacinamide is just perfect. When I use this it's that immediate skin plumping, that dew that comes from really well hydrated skin, and the complexion just overall looks better. There have been times when my skin feels really dull and depleted, and I've actually paired this with the glow serum with rice and arbutin for a little brightening boost. I always layer it by using the glow deep serum first and then the glow serum afterwards because I love that proper glow. For a lot of people it might be too sticky, I don't mind that at all. It just lifts the complexion. Pairing this with the dynasty cream, I mean forget about it, you're talking about the dynamic duo of glow. You can have skin dull and arid as a desert, this combination will plump everything out and make everything juicy. A formula that I've been consistently using has just been the best treatment."
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Yay
"Their Glow Deep Serum with rice and alpha arbutin is another favorite of mine if you want a serum that takes care of dark spots uneven skin texture without being harsh on the skin because you have easily sensitized skin this is a great serum to check out. The serum contains alpha arbutin and niacinamide and soybean extract to help brighten the skin alongside a load of soothing ingredients and antioxidants making it a really great daily use serum."
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"Beauty of Joseon does a good range of serums like if you don't really know where to start with your serums, just by what they have to offer you have a good bit like beginner's collections worth of serums that easily slot into your routine. This of course has propolis and niacinamide. For me propolis is super moisturizing, it gives you glowy skin. The niacinamide can add to that glow and that evenness of skin tone if that's something you're after, breakouts, the healing of your skin as well. And it's a full size serum, that's a good one."
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"Their Glow Deep Serum with rice and alpha arbutin is another favorite of mine if you want a serum that takes care of dark spots uneven skin texture without being harsh on the skin because you have easily sensitized skin this is a great serum to check out. The serum contains alpha arbutin and niacinamide and soybean extract to help brighten the skin alongside a load of soothing ingredients and antioxidants making it a really great daily use serum."
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"This is their glow serum with propolis and niacinamide, two ingredients I love that I'm not really used together in one serum but it makes sense to me. The brightening effects of niacinamide, the barrier care of niacinamide, plus the moisturization and antibacterial properties of propolis which is anti-inflammatory and helps fight against acne. They also have something in here called hang, which is traditional Korean herbal medicine and another anti-acne ingredient. It's actually 60 percent propolis which is a really good amount, and two percent niacinamide which is a sensible amount. It's just in this really nice honey-feeling serum that gives your skin instant glow as well as making your skin feel nicely moisturized. For 9.90 for 30 ml, which is the usual size of a serum, you're getting a good bargain there. This is great if you do have very dry skin. It's a really good one."
Yay
"This isn't sticky but it does have that tacky hydrating texture. There's also two percent niacinamide and 0.5% salicylic acid, both of these are great at evening out skin tone, which is one of those components of glow. This serum ticks off a whole bunch of boxes for it: even skin tone, smoother skin, and hydration. This is just a really lovely product that I use on my face when I want my skin to look smooth and even the next day without having to risk any irritation. And it is one of the few products that I can use for that when my skin is irritated without having to worry about making it worse."
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What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide has evidence behind it for redness, uneven tone and supporting the skin barrier, and it is usually well tolerated even by skin that reacts to most things.

Source: DermNet

Humectants and emollients

Ingredients like these draw water into the surface layers and slow how fast it leaves. The evidence is for comfort, softness and hydration rather than for changing the structure of the skin.

Source: DermNet

Frequently asked.

What is Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide?

A lightweight gel serum combining 2% alpha arbutin and 68% rice extract, designed to brighten skin tone and improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation while delivering hydration.

Is Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide worth it?

Mostly yes. 14 of the 16 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 82%.

What is Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide's Guru Score?

Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide holds a Guru Score of 82%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 16 expert reviewers we have collected. At least one expert has named it a Top Pick in its category.

Who is Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide best for?

Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide is generally suited to oily skin, combination skin and normal skin.

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