Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum Rice + Alpha-Arbutin Dupes & Cheaper Alternatives
From 67 Reddit threads · Updated October 10, 2026
Alpha-arbutin serum for fading PIH and brightening; YMMV, sometimes dry. The catch: plenty of people see zero change on PIH. Here's what Redditors reach for instead.
The short answer
Best Overall Alternative10% azelaic acid for redness and breakouts · $22.00 · 30 ml
Best Cheaper AlternativeWatery, fast-absorbing centella · $6.00 · 30 ml vs $19.20 for the original
Best for HyperpigmentationOG 15% L-ascorbic acid antioxidant trio · $70.99 · 15 ml
#1
Best Overall Alternative
- Size: 30 ml
- Price per ml: $0.73/ml (original $0.32/ml)
The why
One minus
Can sting or burn on a compromised barrier
Good forSensitive Skin, Combination Skin, Oily Skin
Both recommended for Hyperpigmentation; discussed alongside Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum Rice + Alpha-Arbutin in 5 threads.
“I’ve been using the Anua Azelaic Acid 10 serum to help with redness and dark spots for several months and absolutely love it.”
— Reddit, r/30PlusSkinCare
The original, at a glance
- Why people love it
- Alpha-arbutin + niacinamide for spot-fading
- Price
- $19.20 · 60 ml · $0.32/ml
#2
Best Cheaper Alternative
- Size: 30 ml
- Price per ml: $0.20/ml (original $0.32/ml)
The why
A watery centella ampoule that people use before moisturizer or tret. It suits irritated, dehydrated, or barrier-damaged skin. On very reactive faces, it can sting, break out, or do basically nothing.
One minus
Can trigger closed comedones or whiteheads
Good forSensitive Skin, Dry Skin
Both recommended for Texture / Pores; discussed alongside Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum Rice + Alpha-Arbutin in 7 threads.
#3
Best for Hyperpigmentation
- Size: 15 ml
- Price per ml: $4.73/ml (original $0.32/ml)
The why
A 15% L-ascorbic acid serum built around vitamin E and ferulic acid, with panthenol and sodium hyaluronate in the mix. Best for people chasing brightening, photoaging support, and dark-spot fading. The sting, orange oxidation, and price are the dealbreakers.
One minus
Steep price for a 30 mL bottle
Good forSensitive Skin
Both recommended for Hyperpigmentation.
“The skinceuticals CE ferulic made my hyperpigmentation less visible and my skin overall brighter as well.”
— Reddit, r/scacjdiscussion
#4
Best for Dehydration
- Size: 30 ml
- Price per ml: $0.62/ml (original $0.32/ml)
The why
A hyaluronic acid serum with panthenol and glycerin that people mainly use for dehydration and post-retinoid tightness. Best on damp skin under moisturizer, especially if your barrier is cranky. Dry climates and heavy layering can make it feel sticky or useless.
One minus
Sticky, tacky, and prone to pilling
Good forDry Skin, Sensitive Skin
Both recommended for Dehydration.
“I started using the ordinary hyaluronic acids serum on damp skin.”
— Reddit, r/SkincareAddiction
Other alternatives worth a look
Dark-spot hunter — TXA plus niacinamide does the heavy lifting · 143 mentions
Redness / IrritationBrightening
Tranexamic acid + niacinamide for PIH · 103 mentions
Sensitive SkinBrightening
Dewy hydration and plumper-looking skin · 82 mentions
Dry SkinSensitive Skin
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