Seoul Ceuticals Ultra Brightening Kojic Acid Serum for combination skin
Kojic Acid
Alpha Arbutin
Glycolic Acid
Salicylic Acid
Licorice Root ExtractAverage
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for combination skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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 and brightening for your combination skin, as glycolic acid and salicylic acid work to refine texture while alpha arbutin and kojic acid target hyperpigmentation.
- While the formula provides general hydration and soothing benefits, it lacks specific ingredients to address your primary concern of oily shine.
- The product is safe for your combination skin, containing no harsh or prohibited ingredients that would cause irritation.
How to apply
- Use your serum as part of your PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and move to daily use if your skin likes it.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toner, and right before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute ⏳for it to soak in.
- Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive.
- Always do a patch test before using the serum for the first time, and avoid the eye area .
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
How well does Seoul Ceuticals Kojic Acid Serum work for combination skin?
This serum works moderately well for combination skin by refining texture and brightening dark spots, though it lacks specific ingredients to control oily shine. A treatment for combination skin needs ingredients like niacinamide, zinc PCA, or propolis to regulate oiliness and balance hydration.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for combination skin?
Glycolic acid and salicylic acid help refine your skin texture, while alpha arbutin and kojic acid target dark spots.
What does Kojic Acid do for combination skin?
Kojic Acid helps fade dark spots and uneven patches on combination skin by slowing down the pigment production in your skin cells. It is generally safe to use, though it may occasionally cause mild redness or irritation in sensitive areas.
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & Pharmacotherapie, 2019The Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 1994
What does Alpha Arbutin do for combination skin?
Alpha arbutin helps fade dark spots and even out skin tone while keeping your skin looking bright and balanced. It is unlikely to cause heavy irritation, making it gentle enough for both dry and oily areas.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This treatment serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing. Combination skin needs products with mattifying ingredients to control oily shine.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You should use this serum and retinol on alternating nights rather than together to help prevent irritation and dryness on your combination skin. Since both products exfoliate and renew, separating them is a safer way to keep your skin calm and smooth.
How often should I use this serum?
This treatment works best when you start using it once a week in the evening, and you can slowly use it more often if your skin tolerates it well. To properly care for combination skin, this product also needs specific ingredients that help control oily shine.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts or clogged pores for combination skin, as reviewers rarely report irritation or breakouts. However, combination skin needs oil-balancing and shine-controlling ingredients that this formula lacks.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
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, 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
Why other serums fit combination skin better
Niacinamide and ferulic acid incorporated in a stable multiple emulsion successfully reduced melanin, sebum, and skin erythema while improving skin elasticity and hydration in human skin compared to a placebo.
BioMed Research International, 2022A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
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.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.