Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN), for those unfamiliar, is derived from salmon DNA and is known to help with tissue regeneration for a firmer, smoother complexion. Although this topical version doesn’t deliver the same intensely rejuvenating, literally skin-deep benefits as the injectable, the Rejuran Turnover Ampoule is a great, more affordable option for those who are needle-shy.
Tester feedback from Han
“I’m a little late on this K-beauty innovation, but it’s better late than never, right? Allure has been reporting on PDRN since 2019, and I finally got my hands on the most touted at-home PDRN formula. My face often looks bloated in the morning, but the more I use Rejuran Turnover Ampoule, the more lifted my skin looks. However subtle, it’s a win.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
- Key ingredients: C-PDRN (0.5%), adenosine, licorice root extract, blackberry leaf extract
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Dry Skin: CosRx The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum
Why we love it: When the CosRx 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum first hit Ulta, it sold out in just nine days flat—securing its spot in the K-beauty hall of fame. This silky, lightweight serum delivers a potent hit of six peptides (including acetyl hexapeptide-8 and copper tripeptide-1) that work together to “support collagen production and elasticity,” says Dr. Chang. Niacinamide, adenosine, and sodium hyaluronate add radiance and hydration, while betaine and allantoin help calm and balance. “I love how this serum feels hydrating and helps smooth skin texture. The finish is dewy and plump without stickiness,” adds Dr. Chang. This glow-booster is great for early signs of aging or anyone with a dry, dull complexion.
Tester feedback from Han
“I’m obsessed with the texture. I use this as a toner, a.k.a. the first step after cleansing, and I like that it’s not watery—more like a lightweight gel serum. I pump the booster into my palms and gently glide/pat it in without losing any precious product. In the mornings, I follow up with an antioxidant serum, and then I’ll go straight into sunscreen—because the formulas I love are inherently hydrating, and thanks to this toner, I’m loaded up on enough hydration to warrant skipping moisturizer. At nighttime, I like pairing it with a retinol serum to keep fine lines from creeping in and deepening.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
- Key ingredients: 6 peptides (including SH-Polypeptide-121, copper tripeptide-1, oligopeptide-68, and acetyl hexapeptide-8),niacinamide, sodium PCA
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Redness: Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Serum
Why we love it: Dr. Jart+ gets its name from a portmanteau of “Dr. Jung joins Art,” capturing the brand’s whole philosophy: pairing real dermatological science with a creative sensibility. The Cicapair Sensitive Skin Serum embodies that mix—it’s lightweight, soothing, and surprisingly powerful. Featuring Centella asiatica (a.k.a. tiger grass) and its calming friends—asiaticoside, madecassic acid, and asiatic acid—plus palmitoyl tripeptide-8 to tone down visible redness, it strengthens your barrier and leaves skin hydrated with glycerin and allantoin. Over time, you’ll get skin that’s calmer, smoother, and way less reactive. “I recommend this for patients with extremely sensitive skin who experience redness after laser treatments—they love how soothing and effective this Dr. Jart+ Cicapair serum is,” says Dr. Hee Jin Kim.
Tester feedback from Dall’Asen
“Because I have rosacea on my cheeks, it’s simply not enough for my serums to hydrate and hydrate only—my delicate cherub face requires soothing and reparative properties, too. Whether I’m having a particularly bad flare-up or am just trying to ward off seasonal dryness, I pretty much always turn to Dr. Jart’s Cicapair serum because of the magic ingredient it’s named for: Cica. It’s been used as a wound-healing salve for centuries in Ancient Chinese Medicine, and it’s clear to see why, because every time I use this serum, my redness calms down, my dry spots disappear, and my entire face feels just a little more plump. In my eyes, it’s not just a quick fix to bring life back to dry skin via hydration; it’s more like a long-term strategy for making sure my skin never gets dry to begin with.” —Nicola Dall’Asen, senior news editor
More to know
- Key ingredients: Centella asiatica, niacinamide, allantoin, glycerin, betaine, palmitoyl tripeptide-8
- Fragrance-free: yes
More Korean serums we love
Best for Dry Skin: Knours Balancing 5xHA + Gromwell Root Bubble Burst Serum
Knours
Balancing 5xHA + Gromwell Root Bubble Burst Serum
Why we love it: One of the best parts about K-beauty is how it makes skin care fun. The Knours Balancing 5xHA + Gromwell Root Bubble Burst Serum is a prime example, with each pump releasing tiny microbubbles that burst on contact, flooding skin with a wave of hydration from five molecular weights of hyaluronic acid. “It feels refreshing, absorbs quickly, and gives skin elasticity right after application,” says Charlotte Cho, co-founder of K-beauty retailer Soko Glam, based in New York City. The addition of gromwell root extract helps calm and balance, making it perfect for dry, dehydrated, or easily irritated skin.
More to know
- Key ingredients: 5 types of hyaluronic acid, gromwell root oil, niacinamide
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Uneven Tone: I’m From Rice Serum
I’m From
Rice Serum
Why we love it: Rice may be a humble farm grain, but in the hands of I’m From, it becomes something closer to a glowy-skin secret. Sourced from Yeoju, a Korean region celebrated for its high-quality rice, this serum harnesses fermented rice embryo extract—a potent source of amino acids and antioxidants—to nourish and brighten skin from within. “This serum is a glow booster in a bottle. The rice extract helps even out tone, brighten dullness, and smooth skin texture over time. I love its silky, lightweight texture and the way it makes skin look illuminated and balanced,” says Cho.
More to know
- Key ingredients: rice extract, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: Purito Seoul Wonder Releaf Centella Serum Unscented
Purito Seoul
Wonder Releaf Centella Serum Unscented
Why we love it: Centella asiatica might be basically shorthand for K-beauty at this point, but just tossing it into a formula doesn’t necessarily make it a cure-all for sensitive skin. The Purito Wonder Releaf Centella Serum Unscented gets it right with a four-in-one cica active complex that balances Centella’s four key compounds for consistent, science-backed soothing. If you’re already a fan of the serum but it’s been a minute since you’ve used it, the formula has been recently upgraded with even more Centella extract for a faster, stronger (yet still calming) effect. It’s also packed with panthenol, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides to keep sensitive or reactive skin happy. “This serum is my go-to when my skin feels sensitive or reactive. It’s free of any fragrances and instantly soothes redness,” says Cho.
More to know
- Key ingredients: Centella asiatica, sodium hyaluronate, panthenol, allantoin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between serums and ampoules?
Ampoules are typically more concentrated and “deliver results slightly faster than serums,” says Dr. David Kim. However, many Korean ampoules are starting to be labeled as serums these days to make them more approachable and accessible for American K-beauty lovers.
How do I incorporate Korean serums into my skin-care routine?
Like any serum, you should use these after putting on toner. Once you layer it on, you can reach for your favorite eye cream and moisturizer. “Serums have more active ingredients in higher concentration, and they are formulated to either brighten, hydrate, or calm the skin,” Dr. David Kim previously explained. “Then a moisturizer goes on top to lock in the moisture and to repair the skin barrier.”
Meet the experts
- Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at UnionDerm based in New York City
- Charlotte Cho, co-founder of K-beauty retailer Soko Glam and founder of Then I Met You, based in New York City
- David Kim, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology and founder of Lightsaver based in New York City
- Hee Jin Kim, MD, a board-certified internal medicine physician and medical director of Pureen MD based in Fort Lee, NJ
- Shari Marchbein, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best Korean serums and ampoules, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.allure.com
