Scroll through TikTok and you'll find all kinds of products, from serums that claim to fade acne marks to brightening serums that promise a clearer-looking complexion. But at the same time, we as consumers keep wondering:
“Do the serums these people promote actually work?”
In reality, it's hard to know whether influencers have truly used the product consistently, or whether the results shown in the video will show up on us too. That's because even with the same product, satisfaction can vary depending on your skin type and your specific concerns.
Today we'll look at how to choose a serum wisely, by checking the right ingredients for our own skin concerns instead of getting carried away by ads or trends. ✨
✅ First, check your skin type / your concerns
☐ Even after moisturising, my skin quickly feels tight and dry (Dry / Lacking hydration)
☐ Red or brown marks remain even after a breakout has gone (Acne marks / Hyperpigmentation)
☐ There's a lot of sebum, and pores or breakouts often bother me (Oily / Acne-prone)
* It's hard to fully understand your skin type with this checklist alone. Since several concerns can appear at the same time, take a look at the current state of your skin!
Preview:
- Dryness → Hyaluronic acid, which replenishes hydration
- Acne marks and dull tone → Niacinamide, used for skin tone care
- Sebum, pores and recurring breakouts → Salicylic acid (BHA), used for exfoliation and pore care
It's recommended to start with one ingredient at a time, and to use sunscreen alongside it during the day.
What should you do when your skin constantly feels tight and dry?
→ HYALURONIC ACID HYDRATING SERUM 2.0 50ml
🔎 Why does skin still feel tight and dry, no matter how much we wash our face and apply lotion?
Moisture keeps evaporating from the skin into the air, and a light lotion may not be enough to replenish it and lock it in. If you shower with hot water, it strips away the skin's natural oil layer that holds in moisture, so it's best to apply your moisturiser while your skin is still damp.
On top of that, heating during the change of seasons can dry the air out even more, which makes creams more effective than lotions for dry skin, so it helps to apply a moisture-replenishing serum first and then cover it with a cream.
💧 So which serum should I use?
Start with a lightweight serum containing hyaluronic acid, which attracts moisture. I also use a hyaluronic acid serum as the first step of my skincare, and I've felt that it helps my makeup sit well. According to the brand, 20,000 ppm (2%) low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid provides deep hydration, panthenol helps care for the moisture barrier, and ceramide NP helps retain moisture.
👉 When to reach for it: When your skin feels tight soon after cleansing, or when dullness is noticeable before makeup
👉 How to use: The brand says to apply it as the first step on clean, slightly damp skin after cleansing. Cover it with a cream on top to keep moisture from evaporating.
🇰🇷 According to Piyonna's Korean reviews: Reviewers mention that its watery texture absorbs well, it's good for inner dryness, it isn't sticky even when applied 2 to 3 times, and makeup goes on smoothly
📝 How can I fit this serum naturally into my skincare routine?
-
Order: Cleanser → Toner → BLITHE → Cream
(*The brand says this serum is a hydration step that also helps the products applied afterwards absorb.) - Amount: Using the dropper, dispense 2 to 3 drops into your palm, spread them thinly over the whole face avoiding the eye area, and press them in with your palms so they absorb.
- Morning and night: In the morning it works as a hydrating base before makeup, and at night it replenishes the moisture lost during the day.
‼️ Caution: Use it hygienically by keeping the dropper from touching the bottle opening, and after use close the cap tightly and store it in a cool place. If irritation appears, stop using it.
Recommended pairing : 🔗iUNIK 「Centella Calming Gel Cream 60ml」 to keep moisture from evaporating and hold it in the skin.
Source
How to care for acne marks and a dull tone?
→ AXIS-Y 「Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum 50ml」
🔎 Why don't acne marks go away, and why do they last so long?
It isn't the acne itself: the inflammatory reaction that happens when a breakout appears causes more melanin pigment to be produced, and that leaves marks. These red or brown marks are called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and can last anywhere from several months to several years. UV rays make hyperpigmentation worse and keep it around longer, and the habit of squeezing or rubbing breakouts can prolong or worsen the marks.
So caring for marks is fundamentally about sun protection and ingredients that even out skin tone.
🌿 So which serum should I use?
A serum containing niacinamide, an ingredient used in skin tone care, could be worth a look. According to the brand, this product is formulated with niacinamide to care for dark spots and dull tone, while plant-derived 🔗squalane “can help retain hydration.”
👉 When to reach for it: When brown marks remain where a breakout used to be; when your tone looks dull overall.
👉 How to use: Apply it all over the face at the serum step after toner. It can be used both morning and night, but in the morning make sure to follow with sunscreen.
🇰🇷 According to Piyonna's Korean reviews: Even with sensitive skin, reviewers used it without irritation, and mentioned that after applying it consistently their skin tone looked better and it helped a lot with acne marks.
📝 How can I fit this serum naturally into my skincare routine?
-
Order : Cleanser → Toner → AXIS-Y → Cream.
(*The brand says it works best when applied right after toner for good absorption.) - Amount : Using the dropper, dot 2 to 3 drops onto both cheeks, forehead, nose and chin, and spread from the centre of the face outwards. On areas where spots are noticeable, apply a little extra and pat gently.
- Morning and night : Both work. In the morning it evens out your tone, and at night you can use it as part of your evening routine or as an overnight mask. In the morning, make sure to follow with sunscreen.
‼️ Note : Do a patch test first, and if you have sensitive skin, moisturise well. If you notice redness or discomfort, stop using it. Red marks and brown hyperpigmentation have different causes, so the effect on red marks may vary, and indented scars are hard to improve with a serum alone.
Recommended pairing: Complete your morning sun protection with 🔗TOCOBO 「Cica Calming Sun Serum」
- More : What is squalane? 👉 🔗How to get clean, clear-looking skin
Source
Acne.org, Red/Dark Spots Left Behind from Acne (Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation)
Skinsight, Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation
Which serum is good for pores and recurring breakouts?
→ 17Hours Red Spot Serum 30ml
🔎 Why are pores so noticeable, and why do blackheads keep coming back?
Have you ever felt bothered by the blackheads around your nose every time you look in the mirror, or felt that the surface of your skin isn't smooth?
When sebum production is high, or when dead skin cells and sebum build up in the pores, they can become clogged, and a loss of skin elasticity and sun damage can also make pores more visible. Blackheads look dark because the sebum and dead skin cells inside the pores come into contact with the air; they aren't simply caused by dust on the skin.
So it's best to start by managing the dead skin cells and sebum that block pores, without irritating the skin.
🌹 So which serum should I use?
I recommend a serum containing salicylic acid (BHA). According to the brand's information, it's a blemish-care serum containing salicylic acid, purified 4-terpineol from tea tree, panthenol and a hyaluronic acid complex. Salicylic acid can help exfoliate the stratum corneum and clear clogged pores, and it has been discussed in review articles for its use in caring for acne-prone skin. Panthenol and hyaluronic acid can help offset the dryness that BHA may cause.
👉 When to reach for it: When redness from frequent breakouts bothers you, or when acne marks are a concern
👉 How to use: After cleansing and toner, apply a small amount to areas where breakouts have appeared or where there's a lot of sebum, and finish with a moisturising cream.
📝 How can I fit this serum naturally into my skincare routine?
-
Order: Cleanser → Toner → 17Hours → Moisturiser
(*The brand says to apply it right after toner, while the skin is still damp.) - Amount: Apply 1 to 2 pumps over the whole face, and on areas with breakouts add a little extra, pressing it in to absorb without rubbing.
- Timing: It can be used both morning and night, but if you break out often, night is recommended. If you use it in the morning, make sure to wear sunscreen.
‼️ Caution: Because it contains salicylic acid, using it twice a day can cause dryness or irritation. Adjust to once a day or every other day. Don't combine it in the same routine with retinol or other AHA/BHA products; if you use retinol, alternate nights. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult a healthcare professional first.
Recommended pairing: Soothe your skin barrier after BHA with 🔗Bellflower 「Panthenol 30% Serum 30ml」.
Source
Cleveland Clinic — Clogged Pores, American Academy of Dermatology — What Can Treat Large Facial Pores?
How can I check a serum recommended by an influencer for myself?
- Look at the ingredient list before the advertising. Check which ingredients have been included and for what purpose.
- Add them one at a time. If you use several products at once, it's hard to tell the cause if irritation occurs.
- Tell reviews and product descriptions apart. Reviews are personal experiences and don't mean everyone will get the same effect. It's also a good idea to check reviews from people in your own country.
- Check whether the product suits your skin concerns. Instead of buying it just because it looks good, start by checking your skin type, choosing the right ingredients and picking the texture that suits your skin best.
Where can I buy K-skincare that suits my skin concerns if I live in Europe?
A good serum is, in the end, the serum that's right for you.
Like a hydrating serum for a lack of moisture, a tone-care serum for acne marks, and a pore-care serum for recurring breakouts.
And whichever serum you use, watch how your skin reacts and don't forget sunscreen during the day. ✨
Even so, with all these serums being recommended, you may not know where to buy them.
For that, I recommend the global beauty platform Piyonna (Trustpilot 4.8/5.0), launched by KakaoStyle! 🌹
Thanks to direct contracts with the brands, you can receive authentic products shipped directly from Korea.
You can also enjoy fast delivery in just one week by signing up for the free membership. ✈️
Piyonna Global Beauty Supporters - Esencia · Juwon Kang
