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

Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide.

Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide
Serums

About this product

A hydrating serum combining 60% propolis extract and 2% niacinamide, designed to soothe irritation, reduce redness and dark spots, and add a lit-from-within glow to the skin.

Best for

Combination skinSensitive skin
Serums

The Guru Index verdict

81%

Approved

Approved · 81%
10Reviewers
9Approved
1Mixed
0Skip
#10 in Best Serums

What the gurus are saying

Gurus almost universally praise this serum for delivering visible glow and hydration with gentle, non-irritating efficacy. Propolis is lauded for anti-inflammatory and healing properties especially for acne-prone skin, while the 2% niacinamide concentration is noted as optimal by multiple reviewers. The main friction point is texture: some find it pleasantly bouncy and gel-like, while others report it feels heavy or sticky, making it better suited to combination skin than very oily skin. Consensus is strong on value and versatility for sensitive or reactive skin types.
Synthesized from 10 expert reviews

Key actives & flags

NiacinamideHyaluronic acidSalicylic acid (BHA)Vitamin EFragrance-freeAlcohol-free

Full ingredients

Propolis Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Water, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Lotus Corniculatus Seed Extract, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Betaine Salicylate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Tromethamine, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dextrin, Pentylene Glycol, Octanediol, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer

Every take, in full

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 Approved only Skip only Mixed only Hide sponsored
Approved
"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. 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. I more recommend this for combo skin."
All 2 takes from Kelly Driscoll
BEST and WORST K-Beauty at Sephora PT 1 | Aestura, Beauty of Joseon, Innisfree, Dr. Jart
"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. 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. I more recommend this for combo skin."
Top 10+ K Beauty You Need to Try in 2024!
"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. Please know that 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."
Approved
"The Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum is really lightweight, almost like a honeylike serum designed to soothe irritation while adding nice glow. It's very beneficial for sensitive or reactive skin thanks to its calming and barrier supporting formula. It has a 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 redness, breakouts, and 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."
Approved
"Beauty of Joseon Glow 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."
Approved
"The Glow Serum, which is niacinamide and propolis, is for anyone who has normal to combination skin. It has propolis, which is a super moisturizing ingredient, so it's honey-moisturizing. If you're not looking for anything that's 5% or 10%, you know, intense, then this one is for you."
Approved
"The Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum with propolis and niacinamide 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 is actually the ideal concentration between 2 to 4% because it has the most number of studies showing its efficacy. This one not only contains that 2% niacinamide, but also contains 60% propolis, which is derived from honey and bees, that has hydrating and skin barrier support benefits. Together in this hydrating serum, it really gives you so many benefits including helps to brighten your skin, improving skin texture and skin tone, and may even offer some sebum reduction since niacinamide is one of the benefits that 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."
All 2 takes from Dr. Jenny Liu
Dermatologist shares favorite Korean skincare ingredients | Dr. Jenny Liu
"Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum contains 60% propolis and 2% niacinamide. This is a really nice slightly thicker serum but very lightweight, non-sticky, and leaves your skin very hydrated. With the propolis and the niacinamide, I can see this being beneficial for individuals who are suffering from hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone, since niacinamide can be really helpful with that. And then the propolis can really help to hydrate and plump the skin. It's just a really nice hydrating serum."
Oct Amazon Prime Day Asian Skincare must buys | Dr. Jenny Liu
"The Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum with propolis and niacinamide 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 is actually the ideal concentration between 2 to 4% because it has the most number of studies showing its efficacy. This one not only contains that 2% niacinamide, but also contains 60% propolis, which is derived from honey and bees, that has hydrating and skin barrier support benefits. Together in this hydrating serum, it really gives you so many benefits including helps to brighten your skin, improving skin texture and skin tone, and may even offer some sebum reduction since niacinamide is one of the benefits that 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."
~Mixed
"It's a really good product. I've seen amazing before and afters, but I am cruelty free vegan so I don't use beauty 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. 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."
Approved
"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."
All 4 takes from Hyram
Can You Trust Skincare From Marshalls?
"Beauty of Joseon is one of my favorite skincare brands ever. This serum is a freaking amazing product, and I haven't used it in a while so I'm definitely going to get it because I need more of this."
Can You Trust Skincare From Marshalls?
"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. 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 or you want to add a little bit of glow to the skin, this is an awesome formula to test out. This serum is a win."
Korean Viral Skin Care: Smash or Pass? 🇰🇷
"Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum, oh my gosh absolutely yes. I love all the Beauty of Joseon serums, they're all great. I've tried that one too. They're awesome."
Shopping SHEIN Skin Care (i'm... surprised??)
"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."
Approved
"This is definitely the most gentle of all the ones I've mentioned today. If you hear 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 only need to 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."
Approved
"There are four great serums I've used them all but there is definitely one that I love the most of course it's their Glow Serum with propolis and niacinamide. My skin just loves propolis serums and it loves this one. It's just that incomparable glow that you get. The texture is viscous and bouncy just the way I like it, it's 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 it just overall looks better. For a lot of people it might be too sticky I don't mind that at all, it just lifts the complexion."
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Approved
"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. This serum ticks off a whole bunch of boxes for glow: 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. 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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