Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide for sensitive skin
Propolis Extract
Niacinamide
Sodium Hyaluronate
Centella Asiatica Extract
Curcuma Longa Root ExtractAverage
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for sensitive skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. 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
- Offers moderate benefits for your normal skin with sensitivity, as niacinamide and propolis extract provide mild anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effects to support redness and irritation.
- The inclusion of ingredients like Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract and Centella Asiatica Extract offers additional soothing properties beneficial for your skin.
- The product is safe for your skin due to the absence of harsh or prohibited ingredients, minimizing the risk of irritation.
How to apply
- Use your serum in the PM routine, starting 3 times a week before building up to daily use if your skin is happy.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toning, but before putting on your moisturizer for the best results.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute ⏱ for it to soak in.
- Since your skin is sensitive and easily irritated, apply the serum on completely dry skin to help keep it calm.
- Always do a patch test before your first use and avoid getting the serum too close to your eyes .
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 5.3k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this serum is widely praised for delivering a "glass skin" finish, effectively calming acne-prone and sensitive skin while providing deep hydration without heaviness. Most users report a noticeable reduction in redness and an immediate healthy glow, though a minority experienced breakouts or found the effects too subtle.
Highlights
Imparts healthy glow Mostly Mentioned
- “Gives a dewy, glass-skin finish immediately.”
- “Skin looks radiant and healthy, not oily.”
- “Leaves a lovely sheen that looks great under makeup.”
Calms redness Often Mentioned
- “Significantly reduced redness from active acne.”
- “Soothed my irritated, sensitive skin overnight.”
- “Helps calm down angry breakouts quickly.”
Hydrating lightweight Often Mentioned
- “Honey-like consistency that absorbs surprisingly fast.”
- “Deeply hydrating but doesn't feel heavy or greasy.”
- “Plumps up dry patches and dehydration lines.”
Acne pore control Sometimes Noted
- “Helped minimize the appearance of my pores.”
- “Kept hormonal breakouts at bay.”
- “Faded post-acne marks faster than usual.”
No visible results Sometimes Noted
- “Finished the bottle but saw no difference.”
- “Hydrating, but didn't brighten or fix texture.”
- “Just felt like a basic moisturizer, nothing special.”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Triggered fungal acne bumps on my forehead.”
- “Broke me out in small whiteheads after three days.”
- “My sensitive skin reacted poorly to it.”
Poor packaging Rarely Noted
- “Dropper doesn't reach the last bit of product.”
- “Hard to get the remaining serum out of the bottom.”
- “Pipette struggles to pick up the thick liquid.”
Sticky residue Rarely Noted
- “Left a tacky film that didn't fully dry down.”
- “Felt too sticky to layer under my sunscreen.”
- “Hair kept sticking to my face after application.”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, yesstyle.com, stylevana.com, sokoglam.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Beauty of Joseon Propolis + Niacinamide Glow Serum work for sensitive skin?
This serum works moderately well for sensitive skin, as niacinamide and propolis provide mild soothing and moisturizing effects that help calm redness and irritation. It is safe to use with a low risk of irritation, though sensitive skin often responds better to treatments packed with stronger antioxidants, hydrating agents, and skin-repairing ingredients without any harsh components.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for sensitive skin?
Niacinamide, propolis extract, and centella asiatica extract help calm redness and irritation on sensitive skin. To work even better for this skin type, a treatment like this needs soothing plant extracts, powerful antioxidants, and hydrating ingredients that protect the skin barrier without causing irritation.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Clinical Pharmacology, 2018
What does Propolis Extract do for sensitive skin?
Propolis Extract helps calm sensitive and irritated skin by reducing redness and soothing inflammation. It supports skin healing and provides antioxidant protection, making it less likely to react to daily stressors.
What does Niacinamide do for sensitive skin?
Niacinamide helps calm sensitive skin by strengthening the skin barrier and reducing redness and irritation. It is very well tolerated and may improve overall comfort and resilience with regular use.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This treatment serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing. Putting treatments in the evening helps keep things simple and offers extra safety around sun exposure.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first to calm your skin and provide moisture before your retinol step. This product of this type needs soothing extracts like Centella Asiatica and calming agents like niacinamide to keep sensitive skin comfortable while using strong actives.
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine. Because it is an average fit for sensitive skin, a product of this type needs calming ingredients like centella asiatica extract and soothing plant extracts to keep skin comfortable while helping with redness.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Molecules, 2023
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts for sensitive skin because it is free of harsh ingredients, though a few reviewers have mentioned minor breakouts. To prevent clogged pores and irritation, this skin type needs soothing ingredients like centella asiatica and propolis extract along with lightweight hydrators.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Clinical Pharmacology, 2018
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, 2018Propolis demonstrates potential as an alternative healing treatment for skin wounds due to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and angiogenesis-promoting properties, though clinical studies remain scarce compared to in vitro and in vivo data.
Pharmaceuticals, 2022Cosmetic 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, 2005Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019Topical application of 0.05% w/w ECa 233 gel reduced erythema index by 0.03 U and improved early crusting and general wound appearance compared to placebo in thirty individuals undergoing facial laser resurfacing.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2020A 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, 2017Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical application of curcumin or turmeric treats various skin conditions by leveraging antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2023Topical formulations of curcumin target oxidative damage and inflammation to improve wound healing in animal models.
Drug Discovery Today, 2017A curcumin-loaded spanlastic anti-aging gel utilizing formula F5 incorporated into 2% HPMC E50 demonstrated sustained release action, compatibility, and the ability to penetrate skin layers to a depth of about 112.5 um without signs of irritation.
Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, 2024
Ingredients
Propolis Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Water, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Tree Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Lotus Corniculatus Seed Extract, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Betaine Salicylate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Tromethamine, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dextrin, Pentylene Glycol, Octanediol, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer
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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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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