Beauty of Joseon Propolis + Niacinamide Glow Serum for oily acne-prone skin
Propolis
NiacinamideSuperior
- SuperiorOily Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best serums for oily acne-prone skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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 oily skin is provided by niacinamide and propolis extract, which work synergistically to control sebum production and reduce inflammation, directly addressing your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate offer effective hydration without clogging pores, complementing the anti-inflammatory benefits for your oily skin.
- The product is safe for your skin, featuring a gentle formulation with soothing ingredients like Centella Asiatica extract and panthenol, minimizing any risk of irritation.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your PM routine. Start 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply your serum after cleansing and toning, but before putting on your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2 to 3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the serum on clean, dry skin to help manage your blemishes safely.
- Do a patch test before your first use and avoid the delicate eye area.
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 oily acne-prone skin?
This serum is a great fit because niacinamide and propolis team up to control oil and calm breakouts on your oily skin. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate add lightweight hydration without clogging pores, while soothing ingredients like centella asiatica and panthenol keep irritation low.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Niacinamide and propolis extract make this serum a great fit by working together to control oil and calm breakouts on oily acne-prone skin. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate add lightweight hydration that will not clog pores, while soothing ingredients like Centella asiatica and panthenol help keep skin irritation low.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
What does Propolis do for oily acne-prone skin?
Propolis helps oily, acne-prone skin by targeting acne-causing bacteria and reducing redness and blemishes. It works to calm irritated skin and may improve acne severity with regular use.
What does Niacinamide do for oily acne-prone skin?
Niacinamide helps balance oil production, calms redness, and is unlikely to irritate oily, acne-prone skin while improving blemishes. Clinical tests show it reduces excess oil and helps clear up both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne breakouts.
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This treatment goes in your evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. Niacinamide and propolis extract help control oil and calm breakouts, while gentle soothing ingredients like centella asiatica extract and panthenol minimize any risk of irritation.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023
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 help calm your skin and reduce any irritation from the retinol. This gentle formulation provides soothing ingredients like Centella Asiatica extract and panthenol that are unlikely to cause issues when paired correctly.
How often should I use this serum?
Use this treatment in the evening, applying it after your cleansing toner and before your moisturizer. It is gentle enough for daily evening use to help control oil and soothe breakouts without clogging pores.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
Beauty of Joseon Propolis + Niacinamide Glow Serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily acne-prone skin. It features niacinamide and propolis extract to control oil and calm inflammation, alongside lightweight hydration that keeps pores clear.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A 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, 2002Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Co-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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