Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Propolis, Niacinamide and BHA, Explained

Beauty of Joseon's Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide is a lightweight, honey coloured face serum built around 60 percent propolis extract and 2 percent niacinamide, with a small amount of BHA added for gentle exfoliation. It comes in a 30ml dropper bottle that typically runs around $17 in the US (often discounted to roughly $13.60) and £15 in the UK, and the brand positions it for dullness, visible pores and patchy, uneven skin tone. It is one of the most searched K-beauty serums around right now, so here is an honest breakdown of what is actually inside it.

The serum sits in Beauty of Joseon's wider lineup alongside cult favourites like the Relief Sun SPF50+ and the Dynasty Cream, all sold under the brand's signature hanbok-inspired packaging. It is priced well under $20, which is part of why it keeps showing up in budget-friendly K-beauty routine roundups, and it is stocked widely at Korean beauty retailers and mainstream UK and US beauty sites alike rather than being tied to any single store.

What does the Glow Serum actually contain?

Propolis extract is the headline ingredient at 60 percent, and the brand describes it as a hydrating, soothing resin that bees produce to protect their hives, long used in Korean skincare for its calming reputation. Niacinamide sits at 2 percent, a concentration the brand says is meant to help balance oil and moisture levels and improve the look of texture over time.

The formula also carries a dose of BHA (beta hydroxy acid) for mild exfoliation and sebum control, plus turmeric root extract, which the brand credits with supporting the serum's brightening effect, alongside supporting extracts like centella and tea tree in the fuller ingredient list. Beauty of Joseon lists the product as alcohol-free and cruelty-free, and markets it as fine to use during pregnancy, though that is a marketing claim rather than a medical one and anyone pregnant should still check with a doctor.

How do you use it, and who is it actually for?

The brand's own instructions are simple: after cleansing and toning, dispense two to three drops into your palm and press it into the face and neck, focusing on areas that look dull or dehydrated, then pat gently until it sinks in. It is designed for both morning and night use, but because it contains BHA, Beauty of Joseon is explicit that it should be followed with sunscreen whenever it is used in a daytime routine.

We designed this serum for all skin types, especially anyone with enlarged pores and reactive skin.

That line comes straight from Beauty of Joseon's own product FAQ, and it lines up with how retailers list the serum too, with UK and European listings describing it as suited to combination, dry, sensitive, normal and oily skin. The brand still recommends a patch test first if you have sensitive skin or a known niacinamide sensitivity, since any new actives can cause a reaction on some skin even when a formula is widely tolerated.

The texture is part of why it has such a following. It has a slightly tacky, honey-like feel straight out of the dropper that most reviewers say sinks in within a minute or two rather than sitting on top of the skin. The golden colour comes from the propolis itself rather than added dye, so do not be alarmed if the serum looks closer to amber than clear.

Where it sits in a routine matters more than people expect. It is meant to go on after cleanser and toner but before a heavier moisturiser or sleeping mask, since a thinner serum layer always needs to sit under anything richer for it to actually absorb. If your routine already includes a separate exfoliating acid, like a glycolic toner or a retinoid at night, it is worth alternating which nights you use each one rather than stacking several actives at once, simply so your skin barrier is not doing too much at the same time.

Propolis itself is not a new discovery in Korean skincare, it has shown up in folk remedies and formulations for years precisely because it is a soothing, hydrating ingredient that plays well with other actives. Pairing it with niacinamide, which is one of the most studied brightening and barrier-supporting ingredients in skincare generally, is part of why this formula reads as a gentler daily option compared to a straight vitamin C or a high-percentage acid serum. The small BHA addition is there to keep pores and texture in check without turning the whole product into a dedicated exfoliant.

On packaging, the serum ships in a glass dropper bottle with a childproof style twist cap, and Beauty of Joseon also sells a 60ml size for anyone who gets through the 30ml quickly. Online retailer copy consistently describes the formula as fragrance-free, though as with any serum it is worth checking the full ingredient list on your specific bottle, since formulas can be updated by the brand over time.

On price, expect some movement depending on where you shop. US pricing generally sits between $13 and $18 for the 30ml bottle, UK retailers list it around £12 to £15, and the 60ml size costs more for anyone who wants to stock up. None of the retailers mentioned here sponsor or partner with KBeautyCodes, we simply checked current listings so you know roughly what to expect before you add it to your basket.