The Tamesis
When your beauty cabinet is overflowing with Korean beauty toners, masks, and more, you might consider replacing your Western whitening agent with a Korean vitamin C serum. The first thing you should know is that the vitamin C serum we know stateside looks a little different in Seoul.
“Vitamin C is a popular ingredient in Korea, but I would say it’s not that compelling there compared to Western brands,” Michelle Lee, former EIC of Allure and chief marketing officer of K-Beauty World, told us Fashion. “Whitening in Korean beauty is a category, not a single hero ingredient.” While vitamin C is almost entirely synonymous with whitening in the United States, in Korea, whitening can be achieved through a blend of ingredients like niacinamide, tranexamic acid, kojic acid, and rice extract. Board-certified general and cosmetic dermatologist Jenny Liu agrees, adding that vitamin C can help “achieve a bright, even-toned complexion that supports the aesthetic appearance of ‘glass skin.'”
fashion magazine My favorite Korean vitamin C serum
So, what are the benefits of incorporating Korean Vitamin C serum into your daily routine? Dr. Lauren Moy, a board-certified dermatologist and facial plastic surgeon, lists many recommendations, including targeting hyperpigmentation, post-inflammatory marks, dullness, and overall skin radiance. Yes, there are differences between these products and their Western counterparts. “Korean consumers tend to favor formulas that brighten their skin without damaging the skin barrier, which is why products containing mild derivatives or additional calming ingredients work particularly well,” explains Dr. Moe. Next, we will introduce Korea’s leading vitamin C serum.
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Best for Hyperpigmentation: Goodal Green Orange Vitamin C Anti-freckle Essence
- Why we love it: If there’s one Korean vitamin C serum that’s been voted the most popular product in Seoul, it’s Goodal’s. In fact, Lee used a lot of “o”s to emphasize this point because it’s so popular. “Vitamin C comes from green oranges from Jeju Island – unripe oranges obviously contain more vitamin C than ripe oranges,” she said. “There’s also niacinamide and arbutin, so you’re getting a real brightening combo, rather than just one ingredient doing all the work.” Plus, the serum is lightweight, non-sticky, and better yet, says Lee, won’t pill when layered under makeup. The gentle formula fades the appearance of hyperpigmentation, acne scars and citric blemishes.
- Main ingredients: Orange extract, nicotinamide
- size: 1.01 oz
