Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum: Rice + Alpha-Arbutin for oily skin
Rice Extract
Alpha-Arbutin
Niacinamide
Panthenol
GlycerinAverage
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 brightening and evening of skin tone for your oily skin due to the presence of alpha-arbutin and niacinamide, which help regulate melanogenesis and seboregulation. Panthenol and glycerin provide general hydration, supporting overall skin health.
- While the formula is highly suitable for oily skin and offers general skincare benefits, it lacks targeted ingredients to specifically address concerns like oily shine.
- The product is safe for your oily skin with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this serum in your PM routine. Start by applying it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toning, but right before your moisturizer for the best results.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin. Let it absorb ⏱ for a minute before applying the next product.
- Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive and you want to target oily shine. This helps control excess oil throughout the night.
- Avoid the delicate eye area and do a patch test before using the serum for the very first time.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 24.0k+ reviewsBased 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
How well does Glow Deep Serum work for oily skin?
Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum is an average fit for oily skin because it offers moderate brightening and hydration, but it lacks targeted ingredients to specifically control oily shine. To work best for this skin type, a treatment needs ingredients like zinc or extra sebum-controlling components that manage excess oil and reduce enlarged pores.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?
Alpha-arbutin and niacinamide help brighten and even out your oily skin by balancing pigment and oil production. Panthenol and glycerin also keep your skin comfortable and hydrated. To be a better fit for oily skin, this type of product needs ingredients like zinc or targeted extracts that directly control oily shine.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
What does Rice Extract do for oily skin?
Rice extract helps keep oily skin balanced by providing lightweight moisture and soothing properties without clogging pores. Because this product is a weaker fit for your skin type, a product of this type needs added oil-absorbing ingredients and lightweight hydrators to properly control shine and keep skin smooth.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022International Journal of Toxicology, 2006
What does Alpha-Arbutin do for oily skin?
Alpha-arbutin helps fade dark spots and uneven tone for oily skin while keeping irritation unlikely. It works to brighten the complexion and manage excess pigment effectively.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing. Oily skin also needs targeted ingredients to help control oily shine.
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 give your skin light hydration, followed by your retinol. The safe, gentle formula is unlikely to cause irritation when layered this way. Oily skin also needs ingredients that specifically target and control excess shine.
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine. It is safe for your oily skin and is unlikely to cause irritation.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This serum is safe for your oily skin and is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts since it has no harsh ingredients that trigger irritation. To truly help with oily shine, an oily skin type needs a product with targeted oil-controlling ingredients.
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, 2002Topical 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, 2002A 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, 2023A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Daily 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, 2020The 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, 2025Red 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, 2016A 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, 2020Encapsulation 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, 2023Combining 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, 2025Topical 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, 2005Moisturizer 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 dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.
Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000Hyaluronic 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, 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, 2017The 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, 2020Ten 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
Why other serums fit oily 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, 2022
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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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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