Beauty of Joseon Propolis + Niacinamide Glow Serum for skin with dark spots
Propolis
NiacinamideHigh
- SuperiorNormal Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for skin with dark spots; a few serums fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dark spots: hyperpigmentation, sun spots, and uneven skin tone. 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 excellent skin brightening and evening of skin tone for your normal skin, as niacinamide and propolis extract work synergistically to enhance radiance and reduce hyperpigmentation.
- Licorice root extract and centella asiatica extract further contribute to soothing effects and provide moderate brightening, complementing the primary ingredients.
- The formulation is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components.
How to apply
- Apply this serum as part of your PM routine starting 3x/week and build up to daily use if your skin likes it.
- Place the serum after cleansing and toning, but before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute for it to absorb.
- Apply the serum on dry skin to help fade pigmentation effectively.
- Avoid the eye area and always use SPF 30+ during the day.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 6.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users consistently praise this serum for delivering a radiant, hydrated glow without feeling heavy. It is frequently recommended for acne-prone and sensitive skin due to its ability to calm redness and reduce inflammation.
Highlights
Imparts healthy glow Mostly Mentioned
- “Glass skin effect”
- “dewy but not greasy”
- “instant radiance”
- “skin looks healthier”
Calms acne & redness Often Mentioned
- “Soothes angry pimples”
- “reduces redness overnight”
- “heals acne scars faster”
- “prevents breakouts”
Hydrating texture Often Mentioned
- “Honey-like consistency”
- “absorbs quickly”
- “plumps the skin”
- “great moisture barrier support”
Small bottle size Often Mentioned
- “Finished in 3 weeks”
- “only 30ml”
- “wish it came in jumbo size”
- “runs out too fast”
Gentle & non-irritating Sometimes Noted
- “No stinging”
- “safe for sensitive skin”
- “works with retinol”
- “fragrance-free”
Poor dropper design Sometimes Noted
- “Hard to get last drops”
- “pipette stops working at bottom”
- “struggle to reach product”
- “packaging waste”
Minimal visible results Rarely Noted
- “Did nothing for dark spots”
- “just a basic hydrator”
- “no glow observed”
- “overhyped”
Sticky finish Rarely Noted
- “Tacky if used too much”
- “feels sticky initially”
- “hair sticks to face”
- “takes time to dry down”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, stylevana.com, yesstyle.com, sokoglam.com, stylekorean.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Beauty of Joseon Propolis + Niacinamide Glow Serum a great fit for skin with dark spots?
This serum is a great fit because niacinamide and propolis work together to fade dark spots and brighten your skin tone. Licorice root and centella asiatica extracts add extra soothing care while helping to even out your skin safely without irritation.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for skin with dark spots?
Niacinamide and propolis extract make this serum a great fit by working together to brighten dark spots and even out your skin tone. Licorice root extract and centella asiatica extract are also included to help soothe your skin and add extra brightening support.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
What does Propolis do for skin with dark spots?
Propolis helps calm skin and may improve the look of dark spots. It contains compounds like galangin and chrysin that target pathways involved in pigment production.
British Journal of Pharmacology, 2025Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 2011
What does Niacinamide do for skin with dark spots?
Niacinamide helps fade dark spots and uneven pigmentation by slowing down the transfer of pigment in the skin. It is generally well tolerated and may improve overall skin brightness with consistent use.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for skin with dark spots?
This serum goes in your evening routine as a treatment step after cleansing and toning, and before your moisturizer. Putting treatments in the evening helps keep things simple and adds extra safety around sun exposure.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
Yes, you can use this serum with retinol, applying the treatment serum after your retinol and moisturizer if your skin is dry, or before if your skin is normal and you tolerate actives well. The soothing ingredients help keep irritation low while you target dark spots.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
How often should I use this serum?
This serum fits well into your evening routine as a treatment step, used once a day. Using niacinamide and propolis helps brighten dark spots and even out your skin tone safely.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for skin with dark spots?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for skin with dark spots because it features a safe formulation with soothing ingredients and no harsh additives. It does not contain ingredients that typically trigger purging.
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 treatment of nicotinamide, alone or in combination with other active ingredients, reduces the progression of skin aging and hyperpigmentation in clinical trials while being well tolerated.
Antioxidants, 2021Cosmetic 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, 2023A 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, 2018Topical 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 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, 2005
Ingredients
Propolis Extract, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Panthenol, Betaine, Arginine, Allantoin, Adenosine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Water
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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