Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Benefits, How to Use, and Comparison

If you’ve been scrolling through K-beauty recommendations lately, you’ve almost certainly seen the Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum — a propolis-and-niacinamide formula that promises refined pores and balanced sebum. But the brand also sells a Glow Deep Serum with rice bran water and alpha arbutin for brightening, so knowing which one fits your skin saves time and frustration.

Propolis extract concentration: 60% · Niacinamide concentration: 2% · Key benefit: Minimizes pores & balances sebum · Primary ingredient: Propolis extract

This key facts table summarizes the product specs.

What does Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum help with?

Key benefits for skin

The Glow Serum is formulated to tackle three interconnected issues: enlarged pores, excess sebum, and redness. According to Beauty of Joseon (the brand’s official product description), the combination of 60% propolis extract and 2% niacinamide “cushions and smooths” the skin while refining pore appearance. Niacinamide, a well-studied form of vitamin B3, is known to reduce redness and oiliness while brightening texture — confirmed by Gorgeous Shop (a UK-based K-beauty retailer).

Targeted skin concerns

This serum is specifically marketed for acne-prone, oily, or dull skin. Beauty Flash (a skincare specialist site) notes that it’s a go-to for breakouts, redness, and post-acne marks. The propolis component is anti-inflammatory and helps heal the skin, while niacinamide refines texture and controls shine.

The implication: if your main concerns are large pores and an oily T-zone, the Glow Serum directly addresses them. But if your priority is fading dark spots, you’ll want to look at the Deep version.

Can I use Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum daily?

Recommended usage frequency

Yes — the formula is designed for daily use, both morning and evening. Beauty of Joseon states that the Glow Serum is clinically proven to be non-irritating, which supports a daily application cadence. Still, if you have very sensitive skin, a patch test is wise.

How to incorporate into daily routine

Beauty Flash recommends applying 2–3 drops after cleansing and toning, then following with moisturizer and sunscreen in the morning. The serum’s lightweight, honey-like texture absorbs within a minute, making it easy to layer.

Why this matters: a daily serum that doubles as both a treatment and a hydrator simplifies routines for people who don’t want a 10-step regimen. Just be prepared to wait between layers if your moisturizer is heavy.

Which Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum is best?

Glow Serum Propolis + Niacinamide vs Glow Deep Serum Rice + Alpha Arbutin

This is the central comparison. The Glow Serum relies on propolis and niacinamide to control sebum and refine pores. The Glow Deep Serum uses 68% rice bran water and 2% alpha arbutin to brighten and even skin tone. Beauty of Joseon (official Deep Serum page) emphasizes dullness and dark spots, not pores.

Key differences in ingredients and benefits

Gorgeous Shop characterizes propolis as anti-inflammatory and healing, while niacinamide reduces redness, oil, and breakouts. Alpha arbutin, on the other hand, is a gentle skin-brightening agent that inhibits melanin production. The rice bran water in the Deep version is also hydrating but lighter than propolis.

The pattern: one serum is for active oil and inflammation control; the other is for pigmentation and overall radiance. Choosing incorrectly can lead to disappointment — a person with oily skin who buys the Deep Serum won’t see pore reduction, and someone with dark spots who buys the Glow Serum may not fade them.

Does Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum really work?

User experiences and reviews

Mixed. The Glow Deep Serum has a 4.5-star average on many retailer sites, but some users report stickiness and breakouts. One Reddit user described the texture as “doesn’t sink into skin and feels sticky,” adding that it “gave me big red angry pimples.” Meanwhile, other reviewers praise its brightening effect after 4–6 weeks of consistent use.

Ingredient efficacy evidence

Alpha arbutin is a well-documented tyrosinase inhibitor, and rice bran water contains ferulic acid and vitamin E, which support a luminous complexion. Beauty Flash states that the serum promotes an even-toned complexion, and Beauty of Joseon claims it is non-irritating. However, no peer-reviewed studies on this specific formulation exist, so individual results vary.

The catch: the ingredients are scientifically sound, but the formulation’s texture may not suit everyone. Stickiness is a real trade-off for the rice water base.

Do I put Glow Serum on before or after moisturizer?

Correct layering order

Serum goes after toner and before moisturizer. This is the standard water-to-oil rule: lighter, active-rich products penetrate before heavier creams seal everything in. Beauty Flash’s routine guide confirms: cleanse, tone, apply 2–3 drops of serum, allow to absorb, then moisturize.

General skincare routine steps

• Cleanser
• Toner (if used)
• Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum
• Moisturizer
• Sunscreen (morning only)

If you use other actives like retinol or vitamin C, apply the Glow Serum in a different routine (AM for vitamin C, PM for retinol) to avoid layering too many actives.

What this means: for most people, the Glow Serum fits seamlessly into a standard 4-step routine. It doesn’t require special timing or extra steps.

Comparison: Glow Serum vs Glow Deep Serum

Two serums, one core question — which formula matches your skin’s priority?

The trade-off: the Glow Serum’s thicker texture is a downside for those who prefer gel-like consistency; the Glow Deep Serum’s lighter feel may not deliver enough moisture for very dry skin.

Specifications at a glance

Five key specs that define the Glow Serum’s profile.

These specs confirm the Glow Serum is designed for daily use with a gentle pH and no synthetic fragrance.

Pros and cons of the Glow Serum

Weighing these pros and cons helps determine if the serum matches your skin type and texture preference.

How to use Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum (step-by-step)

1. Cleanse your face with a gentle low-pH cleanser.
2. Apply toner (optional) to prep skin.
3. Dispense 2–3 drops of the Glow Serum onto fingertips.
4. Gently pat onto face and neck, avoiding the eye area.
5. Wait 30–60 seconds for absorption.
6. Follow with a moisturizer to lock in hydration.
7. In the morning, finish with SPF 30+ sunscreen.

The key: patting rather than rubbing helps the propolis serum absorb without pilling. If you feel stickiness, reduce to 1–2 drops.

Clarity breakdown: confirmed facts vs what’s uncertain

Confirmed facts

• Contains 60% propolis extract and 2% niacinamide (Beauty of Joseon)
• Helps minimize pores and balance sebum (Beauty of Joseon)
• Glow Deep Serum has 68% rice bran water and 2% alpha arbutin (Beauty of Joseon)
• Both serums are clinically tested as non-irritating (Beauty of Joseon)

What’s unclear

• Whether the formula works equally well for dry, dehydrated, or mature skin
• Frequency and cause of breakouts reported by a subset of users
• Lack of independent clinical studies verifying the claimed percentages
• No peer-reviewed studies on this specific formulation combination exist

This breakdown separates what we know from what remains uncertain.

Real user perspectives

A honey-like serum that helps minimize pores and balance sebum.

— Boots product description (via Beauty of Joseon distributor)

Infused with 60% propolis extract and 2% niacinamide, it controls sebum production and maintains skin hydration.

— Skinshop (K-beauty retailer)

My skin didn’t like it. It doesn’t sink into skin and feels sticky. Gave me big red angry pimples.

— Reddit user (negative review, cited anecdotally)

Infused with 68% rice bran water and 2% alpha arbutin, this serum promotes a luminous, even-toned complexion.

— Hickeys (retailer product description)

These perspectives highlight the range of experiences, from glowing praise to breakout complaints.

Summary: what to do next

If your skin struggles with enlarged pores, midday shine, or redness after breakouts, the Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum is a solid, non-irritating daily option. If your priority is fading dark spots or achieving a more uniform complexion, the Glow Deep Serum is the better investment. For oily, combination skin in a humid climate, the Glow Serum’s sebum control can be a game-changer — but if you hate sticky finishes, patch test first. The choice is clear: match the serum’s primary benefit to your primary concern, not your wish list.

För den som vill fördjupa sig i serumets effekt på porer och rodnad finns en utförlig recension av Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum som bekräftar dess lugnande egenskaper.

Frequently asked questions