Gentler in concentration and more focused on preventative skincare, the best Korean vitamin C serum comes in lightweight, fast-absorbing formulas that brighten skin and fade hyperpigmentation and scarring. Thoughtful packaging preserves their stability, while a gentle formulation helps deliver on the key tenements ofΒ glass skin:Β smoothness, clearness, and luminosity. Paired with theΒ best Korean cleansing oilsΒ andΒ toners,Β youβre well on your way to creating a well-roundedΒ K-beauty regimenΒ that places its biggest focus on restoring, maintaining, and repairing the skin barrier.
VogueβsΒ Favorite Korean Vitamin C Serums
- Best Exfoliating:Β Mediheal Vitamin C Brightening Serum, $20
To start, there are three main forms of vitamin C: L-ascorbic acid, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, and 3-O-Ethyl-L-ascorbic acid. All have varying levels of stability and solubility. But regardless, vitamin C has three main benefits, says David Kim, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist based in New York City. βFor starters, itβs a great antioxidant and keeps the skin cells really healthy. It also has brightening properties, alongside UV protection, so itβs great to use during the summertime.β
Paula Brezavscek, a board-certified physician assistant,Β previously toldΒ VogueΒ as well that βvitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that plays several important roles in skin health,β including helping protect the skin from environmental stressors like UV rays and pollution; supporting collagen production, and helping even out skin tone by fading dark spots and hyperpigmentation. βItβs one of the most well-studied and effective ingredients we have for brightening and protecting the skin,β Dr. Brezavscek added. To add the ingredient to your regimen, take stock of the best Korean vitamin C serumsβa look at someΒ VogueΒ editor and dermatologist favorites below.
Best Exfoliating: Mediheal Vitamin C Brightening Serum
- Why We Love It:Β The use of two types of acids (PHAs and LHAs) in this formula work to gently exfoliate while vitamin C brightens the skin tone. (PHAs are more gentle than common chemical exfoliants such as AHAs and BHAs, while LHAs are a derivative of salicylic acid.) Nourishing the skin with a mix of niacinamide and three types of hyaluronic acid, expect glass skin in a bottle with this beloved serum.
- Key Ingredients:Β PHA, LHA, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
- Best For:Β Mature skin, acne-prone skin
- Size:Β 1.35 oz
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