Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum : Propolis + Niacinamide
Works for
Evens skin toneNiacinamideWorks well
“A honey-like serum enriched with Hanbang(traditional Korean herbal medicine) ingredients for brighter skin”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: betaine salicylate, niacinamide
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-blemishNiacinamide, Betaine salicylate + 2 moreWorks well
“Formulated with Propolis, a well-known anti-inflammatory ingredient, this Glow Serum helps to fight acne caused by skin irritations.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
In addition, this product contains betaine salicylate. It can help in reducing blemishes, even though it is less effective.
ExfoliationBetaine salicylateWorks well
“Exfoliate and clear pores with BHA for smoother-looking, brighter-looking glass skin.”
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: betaine salicylate.
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Propolis extract + 9 moreWorks well
“A cushiony smoothing serum with niacinamide and propolis extract that helps refine the look of skin texture and pores, hydrate, and calm skin for a glassy glow.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Anti-agingSide benefit · Niacinamide, Centella asiatica extract + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: centella asiatica extract.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Centella asiatica extract, Propolis extract + 4 moreMay help
This product contains antioxidants (centella asiatica extract) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Ocimum sanctum leaf extractMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
7 of 8 community members would buy it again.
I always use this in the mornings under my moisturiser and leave to dry. Creates a perfect base for my makeup and my skin always looks refreshed and more vibrant after use. I don’t find it to be irritating at all which is great for my sensitive skin.
Definitely hydrates but also definitely too heavy/thick for my skin. I have oily skin and it clogged my pores after like a day of use. I think this probably works for some people but its not for me.
So nice and soothing with niacinamide! Very good for almost all skin types 😍 With very oily skin this can be a little too heavy/thick and make the finish look greasy though. Otherwise I definitely recommend this product!
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Propolis extract~23–34%
- Irritation risk
- High
A complex substance produced by honey bees. Can have anti-bacterial and some anti-oxidant effect. Is an allergen and can be irritating
More about Propolis extractDipropylene glycol~7–10.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolGlycerin~4.7–7.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinButylene glycol~3.2–4.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolWater~2.5–3.8%
Niacinamide~2–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about Niacinamide1,2-hexanediol~0.55–1.3%
Melia azadirachta flower extract~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might be helpful to neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Melia azadirachta flower extractMelia azadirachta leaf extract~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that has anti-bacterial properties. Can be used to preserve the product. Can be irritating
More about Melia azadirachta leaf extractSodium hyaluronate~0.85–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateCurcuma longa root extract~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can contain an active compound curcumin, that may have some anti-inflammatory properties when applied to the skin, but solid research is lacking and the typical concentration used in skincare products is too low. Can be an irritant
More about Curcuma longa root extractOcimum sanctum leaf extract~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that is rich in a fragrance compound eugenol that is a frequent allergen and can be irritating. It might also contain anti-oxidants to help neutralize free radicals
More about Ocimum sanctum leaf extractTheobroma cacao seed extract~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) extract~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Centella asiatica extract~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. Contains active compounds called centelloids: asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It can be itself be irritating though.
More about Centella asiatica extractCorallina officinalis extract~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might contain antioxidants
More about Corallina officinalis extractLotus corniculatus seed extract~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Calophyllum inophyllum seed oil~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Betaine salicylate~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Exfoliating acid, a "relative" of salicylic acid
More about Betaine salicylateSodium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium polyacryloyldimethyl taurateTromethamine~0.15–0.65%
Polyglyceryl-10 laurate~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-10 laurateCaprylyl glycol~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolEthylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.5%
Dextrin~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that is used to stabilize the product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about DextrinPentylene glycol~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolOctanediol~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tocopherol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolXanthan gum~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCarbomer~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerIngredient list view
Propolis extract, Dipropylene glycol, Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Water, Niacinamide, 1,2-hexanediol, Melia azadirachta flower extract, Melia azadirachta leaf extract, Sodium hyaluronate, Curcuma longa root extract, Ocimum sanctum leaf extract, Theobroma cacao 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
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Beauty of JoseonGlow Serum : Propolis + NiacinamideYOUR PRODUCT | APRIL SKINTXA Niacinamide Toning Shot 99 Serum | SCINICHyaluronic Acid Ampoule Serum | NIDASalmon PDRN Peptide Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 96% | 95% | 95% |
| Price | $15.30 | $17.02+$1.72 | $17.60+$2.30 | $14.99 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 7 | 4 of 7 | 4 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Alpha-Arbutin | Madecassoside | Copper Tripeptide-1 |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: VT Cosmetics VT Collagen Reedle Shot 100Mizon 7 Vegan Peptide Booster Serum
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 21 studies and safety reviews.
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- 6Melia azedarachmdedge.com
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