Reviews of Every Serum I Tried from Jan to Aug

Hi everyone 🙂

I have pretty sensitive, acne-prone skin, so I’m always on the lookout for serums that gently take care of my skin concerns without causing irritation. From January to August this year, I tried quite a few serums across dry winter to humid summer conditions, and wanted to share my honest thoughts.

Everything on this list is something I would consider buying again. I’m not including the fails here. These are all good in my opinion, but a few stood out the most and became my favorites.

[My Skin Type & Climate]

Sensitive, Acne-prone, Dehydrated skin

Used across: January to August (dry → humid seasons)

[Product List]

SUNGBOON EDITOR Green Tomato Pore Lifting Ampoule

WELLAGE Real Hyaluronic Blue Ampoule 100

AESTURA A-Cica 365 Soothing Relief Serum pH4.5

FULLY Green Tomato Serum

EQQUALBERRY Bakuchiol Plumping Serum

EQQUALBERRY Vitamin Illuminating Serum

Centellian 24 360º Shot PDRN Active Serum

BANO Milk Thistle Repair Serum

GOODAL Black Carrot VITA-A Retinol Ampoule

SOONDING Coconut Water Glow Calming Serum

Mixsoon Bean Essence

MAKE P:REM End Pore Vegetinol Tightening Serum

innisfree Retinol Cica Serum

FATION NOSCA9 Soothing Serum S

beplain Mung Bean Pore Tight-Up Serum

[My Best Picks]

🧡Retinol

GOODAL Black Carrot VITA-A Retinol Ampoule: My favorite retinol serum. Retinol works but can be harsh for sensitive skin. The Innisfree Retinol Cica Serum was also effective, but on days when my skin barrier felt weak, it sometimes stung. Still, it proved that retinol really works. The GOODAL ampoule gave me similar results without irritation and left my skin feeling firmer after use.

💜Bakuchiol

EQQUALBERRY Bakuchiol Plumping Serum: A good option if you don’t want to use retinol. I thought bakuchiol might be overhyped, but this serum actually worked. The smell isn’t great, but it’s gentle, hydrating, and gave me retinol-like results without irritation. Great for dry or sensitive skin.

🩵Hydration

SOONDING Coconut Water Glow Calming Serum: My go-to for hydration. I first tried their jelly cleanser and loved it, so I gave this serum a shot. Now, if my skin is red and stings from everything, I just use this. It always calms my skin down.

💙Soothing & Nourishing

BANO Milk Thistle Repair Serum: A favorite. Similar to the Soonding serum for calming, but this one also adds rich nourishment. I notice results after just one use. Works well in all seasons — never too heavy in summer or too light in winter.

🩷Acne-Calming

FATION NOSCA9 Soothing Serum S: My pick for breakouts. A gentle cica-based serum that calms pimples without stinging. Breakouts heal faster when I use this.

💛Vitamin C

EQQUALBERRY Vitamin Illuminating Serum: Changed my view of vitamin C. I expected irritation, but this was gentle. I used it mostly on my body over summer (elbows and back), and it helped fade dark spots and acne marks.

🩶Pore Care

SUNGBOON EDITOR Green Tomato Pore Lifting Ampoule: I use this when pores on my cheeks and nose look enlarged. It gives a tightening effect and makes my skin feel smoother right away.

[Additional Notes on Other Serums]

WELLAGE Real Hyaluronic Blue Ampoule 100: A long-time favorite for hydration. Sometimes it feels like just “water on the skin,” depending on my skin condition, but it’s non-irritating and reliable for gentle moisture care.

AESTURA A-Cica 365 Soothing Relief Serum pH4.5: Recently started using this one. So far it’s great for soothing, though I need more time for a full verdict. If you already like Aestura products, you’ll probably enjoy this.

Centellian 24 360º Shot PDRN Active Serum: Too rich and heavy for my skin type. I think it would be better suited for drier skin or someone looking for deep nourishment. On me, it felt like it sat on top of my skin.

Mixsoon Bean Essence: Similar to snail mucin in texture — stretchy and a bit sticky. Oily skin types may dislike it. I only use it at night during dry seasons, and it leaves my skin firm and plump by morning. Not something I’d use every day, but a nice boost when needed.

MAKE P:REM End Pore Vegetinol Tightening Serum: Lightweight, absorbs easily, and gives a plumping/tightening effect. I wouldn’t call it life-changing, but it’s refreshing to use.

FULLY Green Tomato Serum: A gentle serum with a watery texture. I liked the hydration, but compared to the Sungboon Editor ampoule, this one felt less impactful.

innisfree Retinol Cica Serum: This was my very first retinol serum. Honestly, I loved how smooth my skin felt right away — it definitely softened my texture. I didn’t see much difference with spots or pores, though, and on days when my skin wasn’t in good condition, it could feel a bit harsh.

beplain Mung Bean Pore Tight-Up Serum: Picked this up on a trip to Korea after an Olive Young staff recommendation. It has a light texture and is supposed to have a cooling effect, but I personally didn’t notice much of that. Still, it’s refreshing enough for summer.

These were my standouts, but honestly I liked something about every product on the list. I’ll keep rotating depending on my skin’s needs and the season. I hope my review was helpful!