Korean Face Serums: How to Use, Skincare Routines and Olive Young Picks

Face serums are intensive skincare treatments designed to address specific skin concerns. They usually have a consistency in between a toner and a moisturiser – more nourishing than a toner, but not rich like a cream or lotion. This optimal texture enables deep penetration of the serum's active ingredients to strengthen the absorption effect of subsequent skincare products.

Choosing the correct serum for your skin can greatly boost the benefits of your skincare routine. And if the formula is right for you, a little goes a long way. But with so many skin types and skin concerns, the formulations each of us need won't be identical. So evaluate your skin condition and choose your pinpoint, ideal serum to enjoy better skin health and a brighter complexion!

Now you may be wondering, how do I choose my own serum? Fear not, because this article will walk you through the plethora of benefits, functions, usages, and skincare routines for face serums.

How do I choose the right serum for my skin?

	Key Benefits	Suitable Skin Type
Hydrating Serums	Moisturises, hydrates, improves flaky skin.	All skin types, especially dry and sensitive skin.
Anti-Aging Serums	Delays skin aging, boosts elasticity, smooths wrinkles.	Early aging skin, mature skin.
Brightening Serums	Brightens skin tone, fades blemishes.	Uneven skin tone, dull skin, skin with blemishes.
Pore Minimising Serums	Promotes skin metabolism, unclogs pores, tightens pores.	Oily skin, skin with stretched pores.
Soothing Serums	Soothes redness and sensitivity, stabilises skin, repairs damaged skin barrier.	Sensitive skin, unstable skin during seasonal changes.
Anti-Acne Serums	Regulates sebum secretion, improves and prevents acne and spots.	Oily skin, acne-prone skin, skin prone to blackheads and closed comedones.

 

How can I make the most of my serum?

Serums are generally used after cleansing and toners, and before lotions or moisturisers. So a common skincare sequence would be 'Makeup Removal/Cleansing → Toner → Serum → Lotion/Cream'.

STEP ① Makeup Removal/Cleansing

Cleanse your face thoroughly, ensuring no impurities or sebum remain.

STEP ② Apply Toner

After washing your face, apply an appropriate amount of toner to moisturise and boost the absorption of subsequent skincare products.

STEP ③ Apply Serum

Take and spread an appropriate amount of serum in your palm. Cover your face with your hands and massage into skin until fully absorbed.

STEP ④ Apply Lotion or Cream

Last but not least, apply a lotion or cream to form a protective layer and keep moisture and nutrients locked in.

Olive Young Korean Serum Recommendations

Korean skincare is well-known for its high-efficacy, low-irritation formulas. In particular, face serums, as one of the core products of the K-beauty world, have enjoyed worldwide raves and praise. The extensive range of K-beauty face serums out there will always present a solution to you, no matter if you're looking for a brightening, repairing, anti-aging or hydrating potion. Ready to delve into the wonders of Korean face serums? Keep reading for a specially curated list of over 20+ K-beauty holy grail picks categorised by skin type!

Hydrating Face Serums

Some common skin hydrators in face serums include hyaluronic acids, ceramides, glycerin and NMF (natural moisturising factors). These hydrating factors quickly instil moisture into dehydrated skin and alleviate dryness-induced discomfort, dullness, and fine lines. A fundamental all-rounder, hydrating serums are suitable for all skin types and recommended for dry and sensitive skin, or people who are constantly in an air-conditioned environment.

Olive Young Korean Moisturising Serum | SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Matrixyl 10 Boosting Shot Ampoule

Introducing SKIN1004's latest drop – a sensitive skin-friendly microneedle serum! This spicule treatment delivers high concentrations of peptides and other actives deep into skin with microneedle ingredients smaller in size than pores, fully maximising anti-wrinkle and firming effects. The moisture-rich texture is infused with moisturising ingredients like panthenol and hyaluronic acid, as well as Madagascar Centella Asiatica extract for extra calming and repairing bonuses, to protect the skin from external irritation.

Olive Young Korean Moisturising Serum | Torriden Dive In Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Korea's No.1 moisturising serum has not only earned top spots on Olive Young rankings but stayed there. With a gentle, non-irritating formula, it sends 5 types of hyaluronic acids deep into your skin for quick hydration and soothing care – an absolute blessing for dehydrated sensitive skin.

Olive Young Korean Moisturising Serum | Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum

At the heart of this nourishing and plumping serum is the trending ingredient PDRN. The salmon-derived component promotes collagen production and improves skin elasticity, while a whopping 11 layers of hyaluronic acid and hydrolysed collagen help to hydrate and rejuvenate. Hydrating in a nourishing yet thin and weightless texture, it sinks into skin instantly and alleviates dryness from the very first drop, sending moisture to every layer of your skin.
Olive Young Korean Moisturising Serum | VT Hydrop Reedle Shot 100

VT's viral Reedle Shot, often found sold out at Olive Young stores in South Korea, with accumulative sales having surpassed 3.3 million units! It promotes your skin’s absorption of active ingredients to improve metabolism and revitalise your skin, with an anti-aging and anti-wrinkle effect. The Reedle Shot comes in varying levels of intensity, from 50 to 1000, and with different functional ingredients, including collagen, cica and hydrating hyaluronic acid, to suit different needs and conditions.

Olive Young Korean Moisturising Serum | celimax The Real Noni Energy Ampoule

Enjoying newfound popularity recently, the noni fruit is a superfood rich in more than 150 nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Famous as a quick fix for fatigued skin after an all-nighter, this noni serum is packed with 71.77% Noni Extract for powerful moisturising, soothing, and antioxidant benefits. It revives compromised skin with an abundance of energy and nutrition, repelling dullness and keeping your skin's glow on!

Anti-Aging Face Serums

If you have mature skin, we recommend protecting it with anti-aging serums. Anti-aging serums are often loaded with antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E and Polyphenol to protect the skin against free radicals and slow down skin aging. Collagen and hydrating factors are also a common addition to anti-aging formulas, as they can improve skin elasticity and moisture to reduce wrinkles and other signs of aging. These anti-wrinkle formulas are suitable for early aging and mature skin over the age of 30.

Olive Young Korean Anti-Aging Serum | Numbuzin No.2 Rose PDRN Collagen Plumping Serum

Find your skin growing sunken and saggy as you age? This numbuzin serum of 5% rose PDRN and high concentration collagen can help with that. The jelly-like collagen texture quickly replenishes collagen and fills fine lines, smooths wrinkles, and lifts your overall facial contour for a plumper, more youthful look. The addition of 5% niacinamide also leaves skin more radiant and complexion even. With a powerful duo of repairing plus brightening ingredients, this serum is your key to unlocking dewy Korean glass skin.

Olive Young Korean Anti-Aging Serum | APLB Collagen EGF Peptide Ampoule Serum

This bottle is all your skin needs for its daily dose of collagen. A fusion of the powerful anti-aging ingredients collagen and EGF peptide, this ampoule fills the skin from top to bottom with moisture at once, restoring elasticity and plumpness. Boosting radiance and smoothing fine lines, even fatigued and stressed skin can grow smooth and delicate again. All ingredients are awarded an EWG green rating and are blended into a hypoallergenic and fragrance-free formula. The addition of a triple centella complex also helps to moisturise and soothe sensitivity.

Olive Young Korean Anti-Aging Serum | COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil

Formulated with 0.5% high purity retinol and 'super vitamin E' Tocotrienol, COSRX's retinol oil offers powerful repairing effects through the synergy between the two anti-aging agents. Squalane in the formula also moisturises and adds hydrated plumpness to skin. Reach for a bottle, turn back time, and marvel at smoothed fine lines and visibly rejuvenated skin!

Olive Young Korean Anti-Aging Serum | Anua Retinol 0.3% + Niacin Renewing Serum

Looking for a gentle yet effective anti-aging serum? Try this retinol and niacinamide duo! Engineered with retinol capsule technology to maximise absorption rate and improve retinol stability, this all-round retinol serum from Anua combats aging by boosting skin elasticity and luminosity. Its unique skin-friendly formula is gentle yet effective for retinol beginners to safely incorporate this holy grail into their daily skincare routine.

Olive Young Korean Anti-Aging Serum | Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum

If you have dull, blemished skin, reach for the Medicube PDRN peptide serum! The highly concentrated pink peptide and PDRN formula fills your skin with plumping collagen, and provides brightening, blemish-fading and elasticity-boosting benefits over 2 weeks of continuous use. The fresh, non-sticky texture and sensitive skin-friendly nature explains this serum's unwavering popularity and all its repurchases.

Brightening Face Serums

Vitamin C, arbutin, and niacinamide are some common components you may find on the ingredients list of a brightening serum, which help to reduce hyperpigmentation and fade dark spots and dullness. Flicking a light on for your skin, brightening serums are perfect for those troubled by blemishes and a sallow or uneven skin tone.

Olive Young Korean Brightening Serum | Abib Glutathiosome Dark Spot Serum Vita Drop

This fusion of high-purity glutathione and exosomes tackles hyperpigmentation, dullness, and rough skin texture, blocking melanin synthesis and transfer. Its cocktail of various skin brighteners works to illuminate skin from within, while exosomes aid in the skin's absorption of actives. Smooth, lightweight, and quick to absorb, the serum contains tiny capsules that burst into skin-enriching goodness as you spread it.

Olive Young Korean Brightening Serum | Dr.Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum

If you're new to Vitamin C serums, Dr.Althea's Vitamin C Boosting Serum is a great choice for beginners. Rich in a slew of antioxidants in addition to vitamin C – including seabuckthorn water of 63% high concentration as well as niacinamide – this serum helps to even out skin tone and reduce spots. Features a light, watery texture that layers on weightlessly and sits comfortably even on oily skin.

Olive Young Korean Brightening Serum | Arencia Holy Hyssop Serum 30

Making a whopping 1 billion Korean won’s worth of sales in just 3 hours, Arencia’s buzzed-about 'cool tone' Holy Hyssop serum is more often out of stock than in stock at Olive Young stores for how fiercely coveted it is. Its main component being French Hyssop Extract, the cool tone serum is also rich in vitamins and peptides and boasts pore-shrinking, spot-fading and brightening effects. It’s proven to improve dull yellow tones in just two weeks for a clarified, dewy and fair complexion.

Olive Young Korean Brightening Serum | Medicube TXA Niacinamide 15 Serum

To see brightening results that are not only visible but also quick, go for the Medicube TXA Niacinamide Serum! This clarifying serum leaves skin clear and healthy-looking in just 72 hours, with a lightweight, non-sticky texture. Its highly potent formula of 15% tranexamic acid (TXA) and niacinamide improves uneven skin tone, rough skin texture and dryness. Notably brightening, it restores skin to a flawless, even, and glowing state!

Olive Young Korean Brightening Serum | Goodal Green Tangerine Vita C Dark Spot Care Serum

This Olive Young top-ranking brightening essence is the secret weapon of Korean girls against acne scars and blemishes. Formulated with fresh green tangerines, which are potent in antioxidants and have 10x more vitamin C than lemons, not only does this serum reduce blemishes, but it also brightens, evens skin tone and improves skin moisture retention. The comfortable gel-like texture is refreshing, non-sticky and perfect for summer use; pair it with a hydrating ampoule or a richer moisturiser during the colder seasons.

Pore Minimising Face Serums

Exfoliating and removing impurities and old skin cells help to regulate the skin’s metabolism and water-oil balance, contributing to smoother skin. Serums for pore concerns often achieve this through acid-based chemical exfoliators such as alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acid (BHAs) like salicylic acids.

Olive Young Korean Pore Minimising Serum | SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Fresh Ampoule

Struggling with stretched, visible pores? With a formulation of pink mineral salts and 9 kinds of peptides, this SKIN1004 serum tightens pores with mineral-rich Himalayan salt that is chock-full of up to 80 minerals. The 9 kinds of peptides boost collagen production and plumps skin with renewed elasticity from the very bottom, restoring skin to a flawless, bouncy, boiled egg-like state!

Olive Young Korean Pore Minimising Serum | Ilso Moringa Tightening Pore Serum

Moringa seeds are packed with amino acids and vitamins that help rejuvenate skin and purify clogged pores. Ilso's concoction of highly concentrated Moringa Oleifera Seed extract and proprietary sebum control ingredients help tighten sebum-inducing pores and sagging pores. Elasticity-boosting ingredients like retinol, peptides, and collagen offer a lifting and firming effect for stretched, visible pores. Also comes with brightening benefits to manage melanin and leave skin smooth, radiant, and flawless!

Olive Young Korean Pore Minimising Serum | Sungboon Editor Green Tomato Pore Lifting Ampoule

Bothered by stretched, visible pores? Reach for the green tomato ampoule! Lauded as the No.1 pore serum on Olive Young for two consecutive years, Sungboon Editor's hero ampoule features green tomato at the heart of its formula. It tackles pore concerns from various angles, controls oil secretion, and improves skin elasticity. See results in as little as one week! The refreshing and watery gel-like texture minimises pores while moisturising and eliminating rough bumps. Skin is restored to a smooth, bouncy, boiled egg-like state.

Olive Young Korean Pore Minimising Serum | Medicube Zero Pore One Day Serum

Medicube's all-purpose Zero serum targets all kinds of pores. A resurfacing combination of AHA, BHA, PHA, and abundant pore care ingredients, this serum doesn't just unclog pores and balance skin's water-oil levels. It addresses saggy pores by repairing the pore wall, strengthening its structure to prevent further stretching. Continuous use can even bring visible pore-tightening effects! The highly concentrated water texture minimises irritation against skin, safe even on sensitive skin.

Olive Young Korean Pore Minimising Serum | Biodance Pore Tightening Collagen Ampoule

Noticed aging-induced pores growing larger and more visible? Here's a pore-shrinking and anti-aging two-in-one for you! Supplying skin with a rich variety of collagen, the serum version of the viral overnight Biodance collagen masks plumps skin from deep within. It immediately increases your skin's collagen content by an impressive 168% after use, leaving a firming effect you can feel. It not only improves enlarged and stretched pores but also reduces the appearance of fine lines and nasolabial folds. Skin becomes smooth, supple, and youthful.

Soothing Face Serums

Serums that calm and soothe are often infused with natural, low-irritation ingredients like centella asiatica (cica), houttuynia cordata (heartleaf), allantoin, and others. Ideal for easily sensitised skin that experiences frequent flare-ups, soothing serums can calm sensitivity while strengthening your natural barrier to build resistance against irritation.

Olive Young Korean Soothing Serum | HEVEBLUE Salmon Caring Centella Ampoule

At the heart of HEVEBLUE's flagship ampoule is the indulgent duo of salmon roe extract plus PDRN, a nourishing combo that pours endless vitality into dry, rough, and fatigued skin. The pure and safe formula contains high concentration centella asiatica and soothing botanicals good for dry sensitive skin and fragile, post-treatment skin. The serum is prized by Korean users for its excellent calming effects, and for good reason.

Olive Young Korean Soothing Serum | ROUND LAB Pine Calming Cica Ampoule

Right there on the shelves of Olive Young's bestsellers section is ROUND LAB's pine-enriched calming ampoule. Designed for sensitive and acne-prone skin, the formula fuses calming ingredients like pine leaf extract and centella asiatica extract for effective calming care. It rapidly reduces redness and inflammation caused by rosacea, eczema, inflammation, acne, and other skin problems. Its antioxidant repairing benefits help strengthen the skin's natural barrier to relieve environmental irritation.

Olive Young Korean Soothing Serum | Anua Azelaic Acid 10 Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum

Refreshing and non-sticky, this soothing serum keeps oily skin hydrated with breathable, weightless nourishment while comforting troubled skin. Azelaic acid moisturises with redness relieving benefits, and calms alongside a variety of soothing botanicals like aloe vera and centella asiatica. The green concoction is clinically proven to immediate reduce redness; 4 weeks of use leaves skin problems improved by 108.6%.

Olive Young Korean Soothing Serum | Abib Heartleaf TECA Capsule Serum Calming Drop

Parts of your face constantly red and inflamed from breakouts? Bothered by acne-induced flare-ups? This serum might just help! Purifying with heartleaf and niacinamide, it's imbued with highly concentrated green capsules that sink instantly into skin when applied. The serum is effective on inflammation and redness, but also helps control excess sebum and fades breakout scars. It fortifies skin's external defences and provides internal repair at the same time, restoring skin to a smooth, clarified, and healthy state.

Olive Young Korean Soothing Serum | Beauty of Joseon Calming Serum : Green tea + Panthenol

Green tea is a powerful catechin-rich antioxidant that, in this formula, works in tandem with panthenol to deeply moisturise, repair the skin barrier, and relieve sensitivity and discomfort. The vegan formula is free from fragrances and essential oils as a sensitive skin-friendly solution. Skin is notably soothed, hydrated, and stabilised, and its barrier strengthened from the inside out.

Anti-Acne Face Serums

While oily skin types do still need to moisturise, anti-acne serums for oily skin usually hydrate with light, watery textures to leave skin satisfied and not stifled. Common ingredients include exfoliant face acids like BHAs (e.g. salicylic acid) and AHAs.

Oily skin types tend to produce more sebum, potentially leading to skin problems like enlarged pores, comedones and acne. Look for lightweight serums equipped with oil control benefits to keep your skin comfortable and refreshed.

Olive Young Korean Anti-Acne Serum | FATION Nosca9 Trouble Serum

If you're familiar with K-beauty, you'll know that Korean pharmacies are where the good stuff is at. This clarifying serum for troubled skin is created by the reputable Dong-a Pharm. With a potent concentration of 'Noscamune Complex' for intensive trouble care, it provides a ten-fold soothing effect to relieve oily, acne-prone skin. It not only calms inflammation quickly, but also helps tighten pores and control excess sebum. Particularly effective for newly developed acne, you'll want to keep a bottle handy for whenever your skin condition begins to decline.

Olive Young Korean Anti-Acne Serum | Aprilskin Carrotene Clarifying Serum

Carrots are rich in β-Carotene, an excellent skin antioxidant that can be converted into vitamin A in the body. This substance helps regulate sebum secretion, which can prevent acne and closed comedones from the root, making this serum a must-have for oily skin. The addition of carrot seed oil, carrot water, and carrot protein also help to moisturise, reduce irritation, and strengthen your skin's natural barrier.

Olive Young Korean Anti-Acne Serum | numbuzin No.5 Goodbye Blemish Serum

In search of an anti-acne and anti-blemish serum – but sensitive to vitamin C? Your search ends here. Infused with 75% pure vitamin plant extract from sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), numbuzin's No.5 serum helps reduce pigmentation, prevents breakout scar formation, and reduces recurrence of acne. The formula is supported by cica and allantoin to soothe and strengthen your barrier. Recommended for skin affected by blemishes and breakout scars, to restore your complexion to a clarified and luminous state without the potential irritation of high concentration vitamin C.

Olive Young Korean Anti-Acne Serum | Anua Heartleaf 80% Moisture Soothing Ampoule

A godsend for oily skin, Anua's heartleaf ampoule uses locally grown houttuynia extracts from South Korea and boasts anti-inflammatory and calming effects on breakout-induced redness and irritation. It also hydrates and rebalances skin to control excess sebum, cultivating a skin environment less prone to acne growth and combating spots and blackheads from the root. Moisturises weightlessly to quench oily skin with no messy, greasy shine.

Olive Young Korean Anti-Acne Serum | AXIS-Y Spot The Difference Blemish Treatment

Want smooth, bouncy skin like a boiled egg? Anti-acne treatment and brightening care are both vital to nurturing skin into a flawless state. For acne-prone skin, this AXIS-Y treatment serum is breakout first aid in a bottle. Infused with ceramide-rich pink nourishing capsules, 2% niacinamide, and AHA, this treatment soothes inflammation, controls sebum, moisturises, and brightens blemishes. So – basically everything you could ask for in skincare.