Seoul Ceuticals Ultra Brightening Kojic Acid Serum for dry skin
Kojic Acid
Alpha Arbutin
Glycolic Acid
Salicylic Acid
Licorice Root ExtractCaution
- LowDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
A poor match for dry skin; the serums alongside fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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 exfoliation for your dry or flaky skin due to Glycolic Acid and Willow Bark Extract, which can potentially lead to dryness and irritation, outweighing the hydrating benefits of Sodium Hyaluronate and Glycerin.
- The presence of alpha arbutin and kojic acid provides moderate brightening for your uneven skin tone, but the overall formula is moderately unsuitable for your dry skin type.
How to apply
- Apply this serum PM, starting 3×/week and working up to daily use as your skin adjusts.
- Place the serum after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the serum on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra moisture.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 200+ reviewsUsers report this serum effectively fades dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation, providing a noticeable glow. The lightweight texture absorbs quickly and is generally well-tolerated by sensitive skin, though a small minority experienced breakouts or irritation.
Highlights
Brightens Complexion Often Mentioned
- “skin glowing”
- “skin looks brighter”
- “radiance-boosting”
- “even skin tone”
Fades Dark Spots Often Mentioned
- “dark spots fading”
- “reduces appearance of dark patches”
- “good for hyperpigmentation”
- “fades acne scars”
Gentle on Skin Sometimes Noted
- “gentle on sensitive skin”
- “no side effect”
- “didn't irritate”
- “soothing”
Lightweight Texture Sometimes Noted
- “absorbs quickly”
- “light texture”
- “water gel”
- “feels good”
Irritation & Breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused irritation”
- “breakouts all over”
- “tingling sensation”
- “redness”
Price & Value Rarely Noted
- “price is too high”
- “bottle size”
- “expensive for results”
- “small bottle”
Slow or No Results Rarely Noted
- “still have dark spots”
- “didn't notice much”
- “didn't do much for me”
- “no change”
Unpleasant Scent Rarely Noted
- “scent is not that good”
- “smell”
- “weird scent”
- “not pleasant”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, target.com, ulta.com, nordstrom.com, clinikally.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why does Lovi advise caution with Seoul Ceuticals Ultra Brightening Kojic Acid Serum for dry skin?
Lovi advises caution because this serum contains exfoliating acids that can dry out and irritate dry skin, which may outweigh its hydrating ingredients. A treatment for dry skin needs rich hydrators and barrier supporters like ceramides, niacinamide, or peptides to nourish the skin without causing irritation.
Which ingredients make this serum a poor fit for dry skin?
This serum is a poor fit for dry skin because glycolic acid and salicylic acid provide exfoliation that may cause dryness and irritation, which can outweigh the hydrating benefits. A product of this type needs soothing ingredients, ceramides, niacinamide, peptides, or propolis to provide significant hydration and support skin health without any risk of irritation.
What does Kojic Acid do for dry skin?
Kojic acid may help brighten dark spots and even out skin tone by slowing down excess pigment production, but it does not directly add moisture to dry skin. A product for dry skin needs extra hydrating ingredients like ceramides or hyaluronic acid to keep the skin soft and smooth while addressing dark spots.
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & Pharmacotherapie, 2019The Journal of Investigative Dermatology. Symposium Proceedings, 2008
What does Alpha Arbutin do for dry skin?
Alpha arbutin helps fade dark spots and uneven areas while keeping the skin calm, but for dry skin it needs to be paired with heavy moisturizers and hydrating ingredients to ensure the face stays soft and smooth.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This treatment serum goes in your evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, starting just once a week. Dry skin needs gentle exfoliating acids and brighteners paired with rich hydrators and soothing plant extracts to prevent dryness and irritation.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
Using this treatment with retinol may easily dry out and irritate your dry skin because both products exfoliate heavily. Apply your retinol on alternate nights instead, and always follow with a rich moisturizer to keep your skin calm and smooth.
How often should I use it?
You should use this serum only once a week in your evening routine to help prevent dryness and irritation. If your dry skin tolerates the exfoliating acids well and shows good results, you can carefully use it more often. A product for this skin needs gentle exfoliating acids paired with plenty of hydrating ingredients to keep the skin soft and smooth.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry skin, as reviewer complaints about irritation and breakouts are low. However, a product for this skin needs plenty of hydrating ingredients and gentle moisture-locking agents to keep dry skin comfortable while avoiding harsh exfoliants.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A 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, 2017Encapsulation of alpha arbutin in an optimized ethosomal gel significantly improved skin melanin reduction, moisture content, and elasticity in human volunteers compared to conventional formulations.
Heliyon, 2023A topical formulation containing kojic acid, emblica extract, and glycolic acid demonstrated efficacy parity compared with hydroquinone 4% in multiethnic participants with mild to moderate facial dyschromia.
Cutis, 2010A nanoemulsion containing 1 mg/mL kojic dipalmitate and 5% rosehip oil demonstrated high incorporation efficiency, suitable physicochemical stability, antioxidant and depigmenting efficacy close to 1 mM ascorbic acid, and no cytotoxicity at concentrations from 0.06% to 1% in vitro.
Pharmaceutics, 2023Topical application of iron chelators kojic acid and deferiprone significantly accelerated wound healing in rats compared to control groups, with deferiprone showing superior efficacy due to higher antioxidant and iron chelation abilities.
International Wound Journal, 2013A non-hydroquinone topical formulation (SKNB19) improved hyperpigmentation by 28.5% in patient self-assessment and 27% in independent reviewer assessment compared with 4% hydroquinone in 18 adult subjects, while showing significantly less irritation and better tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020Combining a home-based radiofrequency device and arbutin cream reduced mMASI scores by 25.6% and melanin index by 22.8% at 8 weeks compared to baseline in 38 participants.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Polyvinyl pyrrolidone-K90/Eudragit RL100 dissolving microneedle patches loaded with alpha-arbutin and resveratrol enhanced intradermal delivery by approximately 2.6 times compared to cream and slightly decreased the melanin index in human participants without causing skin irritation.
Biomaterials Science, 2023Repeated short-contact 70% glycolic acid peels provided superior results in atrophic acne scars compared to daily low-strength glycolic acid cream or placebo in 58 women over 24 weeks.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2000Serial glycolic acid peels combined with a modified Kligman formula significantly reduced facial PIH severity in Indian patients compared to the modified Kligman formula alone.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2017Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen achieved a higher cure rate (39%) than salicylic acid (24%) and a wait-and-see approach (16%) for cutaneous warts at 13 weeks in primary care patients.
CMAJ, 2010A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.
BioMed Research International, 2020Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2015Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.
Advanced Science, 2025
Ingredients
Water Deionized Water, Witch Hazel Water, Cassia Angustifolia Polysaccharide Seed Sodium Hyaluronate Seed, Alpha Arbutin, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract Reishi Kojic Acid Extract, Dimethyl Sulfone, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Glycolic Acid, Willow Bark Extract Willow Salicylic Acid Bark Extract, Anise Extract, Cochlearia Armoria Root Extract Horseradish Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Extract, Melissa Officinalis Extract, Fennel Extract, Panax Quinquefolius Root Extract Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Melissa Officinalis Seed Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E, Centella Asiatica Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract Horsetail Plant Extract, Geranium Extract, Dandelion Extract, Hydroxyethyl Ethylcellulose, Chondrus Crispus, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
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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