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If you have dark spots you want to get rid of, someone has probably suggested that you start using a vitamin C serum. These face serums brighten and fade hyperpigmentation like no other, which is why dermatologists also love and recommend them to clients. However, that’s not all they’re capable of. “Vitamin C also works as an antioxidant, helping to protect your skin from environmental aggressors,” says Julie Monti, director of education at Amorepacific U.S. In other words, the ingredient also prevents other signs of aging, like fine lines and wrinkles.
While vitamin C can burn or cause a tingling sensation, especially if you have easily irritated skin, you don’t need to look much further than the world of K-beauty to find a sensitive skin-friendly alternative. “Korean skin care is typically very gentle on skin, so the vitamin C formulas more commonly have lower concentrations or use derivatives that don’t need to be in highly acidic pH environments that could be harsh on skin,” explains Alicia Yoon, the founder of Peach & Lily.
Our top picks for the best Korean vitamin C serums in 2025
Still, there are so many options, so which one should you choose? To make things a little easier, I spoke with a couple of K-beauty experts, polled ELLE beauty editors, and read dozens of customer reviews to compile a list of the 10 best Korean vitamin C serums for more luminous, youthful-looking skin.
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Can feel a little greasy on the skin
If you’re a vitamin C beginner and want to start off with a lower concentration, Klairs is the perfect option if you still want “overall antioxidative benefits and more gradual action,” Yoon says. “I like that it’s also combined with centella to help soothe skin. And importantly, it’s a stabilized formula, which is why even in a clear, transparent bottle, the product doesn’t oxidize and change colors,” she adds.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, centella asiatica extract
Size: 1.8 fl. oz.
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “In the K-beauty world, Klairs is to vitamin C as Joey Chestnut is to hot dogs. They’re known for their unique stabilized form of vitamin C, have won about a gazillion beauty awards, and this is one of the best-selling serums in Korea (Charlotte Cho of Soko Glam was the first one to turn me onto this one). I like it because, unlike most vitamin C serums, this one isn’t sticky, doesn’t irritate the skin, and doesn’t smell at all like hot dog water. It’s a reliable morning basic for me, and I used it till the very last drop.” —Kathleen Hou, ELLE beauty director
Pros
- Mild scent
Cons
- May feel a bit sticky to some
This vitamin C serum contains a whopping 20 percent concentration of ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, a stabilized and effective form of vitamin C. “The ferulic acid and vitamin E in the treatment boost brightening effects, while kojic and tranexamic acid gently renew skin for faster results,” explains Yoon. A clinical study showed that the formula can fade dark spots in just two weeks.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, camellia extract, ferulic acid, hyaluronic acid
Size: o.67 oz.
Peach & Lily rating: 4.5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “In my acne-fighting arsenal, there’s this and my limited patience. Each zit that I get comes with baggage, a.k.a hyperpigmentation that doesn’t go away for months at a time. This spot treatment helps to lighten and brighten those dark spots so that I can get clearer, better skin faster. I especially like that this goes on almost like an oil, so it has a silky texture that makes it easier to rub over bumps and texture (and you can use it morning or night).” —KH
Pros
- Firming
Cons
- May not be suitable for very sensitive skin
This product is one of Primera’s best-selling products, thanks to its balanced combination of retinol and vitamin C. The powerhouse ingredients work in tandem to firm, reduce texture, and give the skin an overall glow.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, retinol
Size: 0.5 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “This product has visibly improved my skin, reducing fine lines and increasing smoothness. I use it at night and apply sunscreen in the morning as suggested. Totally recommend.”
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Some may dislike scent
Dry skin needs a little extra love, and this radiance-giving vitamin C serum has vitamin E and hyaluronic acid to deeply nourish and hydrate the skin. Because of its high concentration, you should first patch test to ensure your skin can tolerate it.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E
Size: o.7 fl. oz.
Amazon rating: 4.1/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “This is a pure Vitamin C and, as a result, it has a smell to it when first applied. However, this smell dissipates completely and very quickly. Most brands aren’t pure, thus they don’t have a smell to them. I have used this brand for a couple of years, and I like that I get a high percentage of pure vitamin C at a great price, plus it doesn’t leave me sticky like many vitamin Cs.”
Pros
- Gentle on the skin
Cons
- Can feel a bit sticky
Those of us who deal with acne know that the hyperpigmentation left behind stays around a lot longer than the blemishes themselves. This serum “combines green tea enzymes with vitamin C to visibly fade dark spots and post-acne marks while making skin appear smooth and bright,” says Monti.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, green tea enzymes, niacinamide, vitamin E
Size: 1.01 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I absolutely love Innisfree products, and this is no exception. This serum is the perfect balance of ingredients for evening-out skin tone and fading dark spots. I have quite a bit of hyperpigmentation on my forehead from a horrible sunburn years ago, and I think this has really helped the whole area appear more even.”
Pros
- Gently exfoliating
Cons
- May not be suitable for very sensitive skin
This serum is for anyone whose primary goals are to brighten the skin and smooth out texture. Vitamin C attends to the former, while chemical exfoliator PHA and plumping collagen take care of the rest.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, PHA, collagen
Size: 1.01 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “This has become one of my favorite products to use each morning. It really helps soften any skin texture before applying makeup and leaves my skin feeling great overall.”
Pros
- Pleasant texture
Cons
- May not be suitable for very sensitive skin
Green tangerine, a fruit rich in antioxidants, provides the vitamin C in this formula. Centella Asiatica is also in the mix—the potent brew supports your skin barrier, improves old dark spots, and prevents new ones from rearing their ugly heads.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, niacinamide, arbutin
Size: 1.01 fl. oz.
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I’ve been using this serum for a few months now, and the results have been amazing! My dark spots have visibly lightened, and my skin feels healthier overall. One thing I love is the sleek glass container—it gives a premium feel and keeps the product fresh. Unlike some serums I’ve tried, this one isn’t sticky at all. It absorbs quickly and leaves my skin smooth and hydrated. I can wear it alone or layer it under makeup without any issues. It doesn’t pill or interfere with my foundation, which is a huge bonus.”
Pros
- Airtight packaging
Cons
- May not be suitable for very sensitive skin
If your sensitive skin can’t handle most actives, you’re not alone—my skin is also quick to react to anything it doesn’t like, including some vitamin C serums. However, this one wisely contains centella asiatica to soothe the skin and prevent irritation. Plus, the opaque tube prevents UV light from degrading the formula.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, aloe, centella asiatica extract
Size: 1 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I had tried many times to incorporate vitamin C into my routine and been burned every time—my skin hates it. I would have horrible breakouts. I got this on a Prime Day sale and thought, what the hey, K-beauty has done me well, and centella is intriguing. I am so glad I did. It is very gentle, and I did not see results for a couple weeks, but it does work if you give it time, and it did not break me out. It helps prevent oxidation of sebaceous filaments, keeps pores small, helps with brightness and fine lines, gives a nice little glow, and is reasonably priced. I’m on my third tube!”
Pros
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Can have a sticky finish
This serum contains a concoction of various vitamins beyond C, including A, D, and E, which provide moisture and encourage skin elasticity. The formula also features niacinamide, an ingredient known for its sebum-controlling abilities.
Key ingredient: Vitamin C, niacinamide
Size: 1.01 fl. oz.
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “My face glows when I use this every morning. It absorbs easily. It’s slightly tacky initially after application, but dries fairly quickly. This improves dullness and even helps with dryness. My skin feels soft, dewy and fresh. I have received numerous compliments on how young I look for my age, and I’m confident that this serum plays an important role in maintaining my youthful appearance.”
Pros
- Non-irritating
Cons
- Some reviewers noted a strong scent
Two ways to get brighter skin are exfoliating and incorporating a vitamin C serum—this formula combines the two using ingredients like exfoliator PHA. Your dead skin cells will be sloughed away, improving texture and helping with dullness.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, caffeine, PHA, vitamin E, licorice root extract
Size: o.78 oz.
Soko Glam rating: 4.7/5 stars
A Soko Glam reviewer says: “I have been using this serum for about two weeks. It goes on a bit sticky but is non-irritating. I have had a stubborn scar on my face for the past six months. It appears to be fading!”
Meet the Experts
Alicia Yoon is the founder of Peach & Lily.
Julie Monti, director of education at Amorepacific U.S.
Who can use a vitamin c serum?
According to our experts, anyone can reap the benefits of the product. “Vitamin C provides antioxidant benefits, which are important to protect the skin from free radicals and environmental aggressors. It also has benefits for those who want to visibly brighten their skin,” says Monti.
Another wonderful thing about vitamin C serums is that there’s a wide variety of formulas to choose from. “There are options ranging from pure ascorbic acid to water-soluble or oil-soluble Vitamin C derivatives. While some people cannot handle any type of vitamin C, if you’ve had a bad experience with a specific vitamin C formula, you might be surprised if you try a formula with a different type of vitamin C. Be sure to spot-treat first,” explains Yoon.
Can you layer vitamin C with other actives?
Sometimes, but there are a couple of factors to consider before diving in, like the strength of the actives, how sensitive your skin is, and whether the vitamin C serum has an acidic or balanced composition. “For example, if you want to layer a vitamin C formula that’s very acidic with a retinoid, I would suggest that you use your retinoid consistently for an extended period of time to ensure that your skin has acclimated to it without any sensitivities before you add vitamin C to your routine. Pay close attention to your skin while introducing new ingredients into your routine and scale back if you notice any sensitivities,” says Yoon.
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty writer Carol Lee spoke with trusted skin experts about Korean vitamin C serums. She also searched the internet for Korean vitamin C serums, perused reviews for dozens of popular options, and evaluated each on their features and customer reviews.
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