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Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum: Rice + Alpha-Arbutin for dry sensitive skin

High

  • HighDry Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for dry sensitive skin; a few serums fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, 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

  • Excellent for your dry and sensitive skin, alpha-arbutin and niacinamide work to brighten and even your skin tone, while Rice Bran Water and Glycerin provide essential hydration and soothing effects.
  • The inclusion of Panthenol and Trehalose further supports your dry skin by drawing moisture into the skin and aiding in barrier repair.
  • This formula is safe for your skin, as it contains no harsh or prohibited ingredients that could cause irritation.

How to apply

  • Use this PM routine for your evening skincare. Start using the serum 3 times a week and increase to daily use if your skin feels comfortable.
  • Apply the serum after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer. This step locks in deep hydration for dry skin.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin using your palms. Let it absorb completely for a minute ⏱ before applying your next product.
  • Since your skin is sensitive, apply the serum on completely dry skin for better tolerance and less irritation.
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Always do a patch test before your first use to ensure your skin reacts well.

People Say

★4.7Overall rating based on 24.0k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users consistently praise this serum for its lightweight, watery texture that absorbs immediately, making it ideal for layering and oily or combination skin types. While highly effective at hydrating and delivering a 'glass skin' finish, its ability to fade hyperpigmentation and dark spots is generally reported as a gradual process requiring consistent, long-term use.

Highlights

  • Lightweight, absorbs fast Mostly Mentioned
    • “sinks into the skin almost immediately”
    • “watery texture that quickly penetrates”
    • “lightweight and non-greasy”
  • Fades dark spots Often Mentioned
    • “helped get rid of some of the redness”
    • “acne marks have improved a bit”
    • “effective with hyperpigmentation”
  • Hydrating, glowing finish Often Mentioned
    • “leaves a slight glow to your skin”
    • “floods the skin with moisture”
    • “skin looks healthy and well nourished”
  • Gentle, non-irritating Sometimes Noted
    • “suitable even for sensitive skin”
    • “no scent and very gentle”
    • “didn't cause me any allergies”
  • Slow results Sometimes Noted
    • “lightening is somewhat slow”
    • “takes a while to fade”
    • “didn't notice obvious improvements yet”
  • Ineffective for some Rarely Noted
    • “saw little to no difference”
    • “did nothing for my dark spots”
    • “no noticeable glow”
  • Too watery Rarely Noted
    • “a lot runnier than expected”
    • “feels more like a toner”
    • “wished it was more cushiony”

Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, yesstyle.com, stylevana.com, reddit.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum a great fit for dry sensitive skin?

Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum is a great fit because rice bran water and glycerin deliver essential hydration to dry skin, while alpha-arbutin and niacinamide brighten and even your skin tone. Panthenol and trehalose draw moisture into the skin and help calm irritation without harsh ingredients.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for dry sensitive skin?

Rice Bran Water, glycerin, panthenol, and trehalose make this serum a great fit for your dry and sensitive skin because they provide essential moisture and help calm the skin. Alpha-arbutin and niacinamide further help brighten your skin tone safely without causing irritation.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

What does Rice Extract do for dry sensitive skin?

Rice extract helps dry, sensitive skin by boosting hydration, reducing roughness, and calming irritation. It provides antioxidant protection and supports a smooth, soft feel without causing discomfort.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022

What does Alpha-Arbutin do for dry sensitive skin?

Alpha-arbutin helps fade dark spots and uneven skin tone while being gentle enough that it is unlikely to cause irritation on dry, sensitive skin. Advanced delivery formulas containing alpha-arbutin may also improve skin moisture content.

Heliyon, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?

This serum goes in your evening routine after your toner and before your moisturizer. Putting it on at night helps keep your skin calm and safe from sun exposure while it brightens and adds moisture.

Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first to give your skin a boost of hydration, followed by your retinol. This approach helps keep your dry and sensitive skin calm and comfortable while you use a stronger active ingredient.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

How often should I use this serum?

You can use this serum in your evening routine. It contains ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin that help brighten and hydrate dry skin safely.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?

This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry sensitive skin. It contains soothing and hydrating ingredients like glycerin and panthenol that are well tolerated by your skin and help keep it calm and smooth.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

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, 2002
  • A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.

    The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
  • Topical 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, 2002
  • A topical xanthan gum nanogel containing gamma-oryzanol-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers and nanosized TiO2 and MBBT filters demonstrated high photoprotection with an SPF of 34 and no skin irritation or sensitization in a rat model.

    Pharmaceuticals, 2023
  • Daily application of a cream containing niosomes loaded with purple glutinous rice extract in 20 human volunteers for 28 days resulted in a significant decrease in melanin index and skin roughness by -14.05% and -9.95%, and increases in skin hydration and elastic recovery by +48.73% and +35.98% compared to initial values.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020
  • The iontophoretic delivery of hyaluronic acid nanogel-loaded Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate significantly reduced advanced glycation end products and mitigated skin stiffening in an ex vivo skin tissue glycation model.

    International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2025
  • Red rice extract suppressed UVB-induced inflammation and skin aging in human skin fibroblasts by inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathway, leading to decreased NF-kappa B and AP-1 activation, reduced ECM degradation, and increased ECM synthesis compared to UVB-irradiated controls.

    Natural Product Communications, 2016
  • A 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, 2020
  • Encapsulation 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, 2023
  • Combining 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, 2025
  • Topical 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, 2021
  • Topical 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, 2008
  • Topical 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
  • Moisturizer 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, 2019
  • Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.

    Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000
  • Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.

    Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020
  • 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, 2017
  • The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
  • Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001

Ingredients

Rice Bran Water, Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Alpha-Arbutin, Niacinamide, Methyl Gluceth-20, Panthenol, Polyglycerin-3, Trehalose, Glyceryl Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, Xanthan Gum, Arginine, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium Edta, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Glucose, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract Soybean Seed Extract, Hordeum Distichon Extract Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Rice Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Wheat Seed Extract, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Zea Mays Kernel Extract

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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Prices checked 6 Nov 2026

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