Beauty of Joseon Propolis + Niacinamide Glow Serum for acne-prone skin
Propolis
NiacinamideSuperior
- SuperiorCombination Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best serums for acne-prone skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Excellent suitability for your combination, acne-prone skin as niacinamide and propolis extract effectively target inflammation and sebum production while also brightening your complexion. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide essential hydration, balancing oiliness and dryness for your combination skin type.
- Centella asiatica extract and panthenol further soothe and support your skin barrier, enhancing overall skin health and resilience.
- The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of calming components.
How to apply
- Use your serum as part of your PM routine and start 3x/week before working up to daily use.
- Apply this treatment after cleansing and toner, and before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the product on clean, dry skin to help manage your breakouts safely.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 6.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users consistently praise this serum for delivering a radiant, hydrated glow without feeling heavy. It is frequently recommended for acne-prone and sensitive skin due to its ability to calm redness and reduce inflammation.
Highlights
Imparts healthy glow Mostly Mentioned
- “Glass skin effect”
- “dewy but not greasy”
- “instant radiance”
- “skin looks healthier”
Calms acne & redness Often Mentioned
- “Soothes angry pimples”
- “reduces redness overnight”
- “heals acne scars faster”
- “prevents breakouts”
Hydrating texture Often Mentioned
- “Honey-like consistency”
- “absorbs quickly”
- “plumps the skin”
- “great moisture barrier support”
Small bottle size Often Mentioned
- “Finished in 3 weeks”
- “only 30ml”
- “wish it came in jumbo size”
- “runs out too fast”
Gentle & non-irritating Sometimes Noted
- “No stinging”
- “safe for sensitive skin”
- “works with retinol”
- “fragrance-free”
Poor dropper design Sometimes Noted
- “Hard to get last drops”
- “pipette stops working at bottom”
- “struggle to reach product”
- “packaging waste”
Minimal visible results Rarely Noted
- “Did nothing for dark spots”
- “just a basic hydrator”
- “no glow observed”
- “overhyped”
Sticky finish Rarely Noted
- “Tacky if used too much”
- “feels sticky initially”
- “hair sticks to face”
- “takes time to dry down”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, stylevana.com, yesstyle.com, sokoglam.com, stylekorean.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Beauty of Joseon Propolis + Niacinamide Glow Serum one of the best fits for acne-prone skin?
This serum is one of the best fits because niacinamide and propolis effectively target inflammation and oil production while balancing your skin. Centella asiatica extract and panthenol further soothe redness and support your skin barrier without any harsh ingredients causing irritation.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Propolis and niacinamide make this serum a good fit for acne-prone skin because they effectively target inflammation and oil production. Propolis helps reduce acne severity and redness, while niacinamide and other soothing ingredients like centella asiatica extract and panthenol support overall skin health without causing irritation.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
What does Propolis do for acne-prone skin?
Propolis helps calm acne-prone skin and keeps breakouts at bay by fighting the bacteria that cause pimples and reducing swelling. It is unlikely to irritate when used regularly as part of your routine.
What does Niacinamide do for acne-prone skin?
Niacinamide helps acne-prone skin by reducing both inflamed and uninflamed breakouts and calming redness. It is also very helpful for keeping oily skin balanced by cutting down on excess oil production, and it is well tolerated by most people.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
Apply this serum in your evening routine, after cleansing and toning and before moisturizing, for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. It helps calm inflammation and control oiliness in acne-prone skin.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
Yes, you can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first to calm your skin and provide hydration, followed by your retinol. The soothing components and lack of harsh ingredients help ensure it is safe to layer without causing irritation.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this serum in your evening routine. It contains ingredients like niacinamide and propolis that help calm your skin and manage oiliness safely.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for acne-prone skin because it contains propolis and niacinamide to help calm redness and manage oil. It is also formulated without harsh ingredients, making it safe for daily use.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Niacinamide significantly decreased hyperpigmentation and increased skin lightness compared with vehicle alone after 4 weeks of use in women by inhibiting melanosome transfer.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.
Molecules, 2023Topical propolis application significantly reduced postoperative pain, hemorrhage, and accelerated wound healing in patients undergoing tonsillectomy compared to a control group.
Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology, 2018Topical treatment with ethanol propolis extract resulted in complete mycological and clinical cure in 56.25% of patients with onychomycosis, demonstrating non-toxicity and effective antifungal activity against Trichophyton spp. both in vitro and in patients.
Frontiers in Microbiology, 2018Topical hydrogel formulations containing hydroalcoholic extract of red propolis exhibited stability, non-Newtonian and pseudoplastic behavior, in vivo skin compatibility, and no skin irritancy.
Heliyon, 2022Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2005
Ingredients
Propolis Extract, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Panthenol, Betaine, Arginine, Allantoin, Adenosine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Water
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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