Australia's Beauty Authority · April 2026 Sign in Premium Newsletter
Vol. 01 · Issue 04 TheGLOW. Australia · Est. 2014
We earn commission on some products we recommend. Commission never influences rankings. Read our standards.

The best Korean serum in Australia.

Five Korean serums, six weeks, mixed skin types. The category is dense — these are the ones that earned their shelf space.

Tested: April 2026 Editor: Glow editorial No paid placements

Korean serums tend to be lighter, more hydrating, and more focused on layering than Western serums. The category is excellent on actives like niacinamide, snail mucin, propolis, and centella; weaker on retinoids and vitamin C (where Western brands lead).

The ranking.

№ 01
Beauty of Joseon

Glow Serum — Propolis + Niacinamide

Propolis (60%) plus niacinamide (2%). Calms, brightens, and improves barrier in 4-6 weeks. The most-recommended K-beauty serum on Reddit and the highest-scoring serum we tested under $30.

9.4/ 10 GLOW
№ 02
COSRX

Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

96% snail secretion filtrate. Hydration and barrier rebuild without occlusion. Sits well under every other product in the routine.

9.2/ 10 GLOW
№ 03
Some By Mi

Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Serum

Galactomyces ferment with vitamin C derivative. Visible brightening across 4-6 weeks. Less potent than Western pure-ascorbic-acid serums but more tolerable for sensitive skin.

8.9/ 10 GLOW
№ 04
Anua

Heartleaf Niacinamide 7 + 5 Serum

Niacinamide (7%) with heartleaf for soothing. Targets pore appearance and oil regulation. Best for combination skin.

8.7/ 10 GLOW
№ 05
Klairs

Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop

5% pure ascorbic acid in a stable formulation. Lower concentration than Western alternatives but better tolerated by sensitive skin.

8.4/ 10 GLOW

The full ranking, side by side.

BrandBest forPriceScore
Beauty of Joseon Glow SerumBrightening, calming$229.4
COSRX Snail 96Hydration, barrier$309.2
Some By Mi GalactomycesBrightening, sensitive-friendly$358.9
Anua Niacinamide 7Combination, oil control$288.7
Klairs Vitamin DropStable vitamin C$328.4

How we tested.

Twelve testers (mixed skin types, 25-50 age range) used each serum daily for six weeks. Scored on hydration improvement, barrier integrity (TEWL), brightening (corneometer), tolerance, layering compatibility, and price-per-ml.

Frequently asked questions.

What's the best Korean serum for beginners?
Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum. Low irritant load, evidence-based niacinamide and propolis combination, sub-$25 price, suitable for most skin types. The most reliable K-beauty starter serum.
Can I use a Korean serum with my retinol?
Yes — apply the Korean serum (typically hydrating) after the retinol once retinol has absorbed. Snail mucin and niacinamide both pair well with retinoids and reduce retinoid irritation.
Do Korean serums actually work?
Yes when the actives are evidence-based. Niacinamide, snail mucin, centella, and propolis all have published data supporting topical efficacy. The category does have low-evidence ingredients (some 'innovative' actives in trend brands) — stick with the brands above for proven formulations.
How many Korean serums should I use?
One or two per routine. Typical layering: hydrating serum (snail mucin) + targeted serum (niacinamide or vitamin C). More than two becomes redundant and slows absorption.
Korean vs Western serums — which is better?
Korean wins on hydration, barrier, niacinamide, and propolis. Western wins on retinoids, high-concentration vitamin C, and clinical actives. Mix the categories based on the active you want.
Are Korean serums good for oily skin?
Yes — many are oil-free and lightweight by formulation philosophy. Anua Niacinamide 7+5 and COSRX Snail 96 are particularly suited to oily and combination skin.
How much do Korean serums cost in Australia?
Mass-tier (Beauty of Joseon, Anua) sit at $20-30. Mid-tier (Some By Mi, Klairs, COSRX) at $25-40. Premium (Sulwhasoo, Su:m37) at $90-200. Beauty of Joseon offers the best value-per-quality.