Eqqualberry Glow Filter Vitamin Illuminating Serum Dupes & Cheaper Alternatives
From 10 Reddit threads · Updated September 23, 2026
Vitamin C serum with niacinamide, arbutin, and tranexamic acid for dark spots. The catch: fading can be slow and easy to miss at first. 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 AlternativeNiacinamide plus propolis — the glow serum crowd favorite · $13.60 · 30 ml vs $22.99 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 $0.77/ml)
The why
One minus
Can sting or burn on a compromised barrier
Good forSensitive Skin, Combination Skin, Oily Skin
Both recommended for Hyperpigmentation.
“My skin responded super well the the anua azelaic, really helped with lingering Melasma after pregnancy.”
— Reddit, r/30PlusSkinCare
The original, at a glance
- Why people love it
- Brightening trio: niacinamide, arbutin, tranexamic acid
- Price
- $22.99 · 29.9 ml · $0.77/ml
#2
Best Cheaper Alternative
Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide
Beauty of Joseon·Serum
See alternativesNiacinamide plus propolis — the glow serum crowd favorite
- Size: 30 ml
- Price per ml: $0.45/ml (original $0.77/ml)
The why
Studies found topical niacinamide can improve acne, and Redditors here back it for glow, oil control, and post-breakout marks. The catch is real: propolis, niacinamide, tea tree, and betaine salicylate can sting or break out reactive skin.
One minus
Can sting damaged or sensitized barriers
Good forSensitive Skin, Dry Skin
Both recommended for Hyperpigmentation.
“Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum (niacinamide + arbutin)”
— Reddit, r/koreanskincare
#3
Best for Hyperpigmentation
- Size: 15 ml
- Price per ml: $4.73/ml (original $0.77/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.
“Changes: Added CE Ferulic + tretinoin + tinted SPF”
— Reddit, r/40plusskincare
Other alternatives worth a look
Dark-spot hunter — TXA plus niacinamide does the heavy lifting · 143 mentions
LightweightBrightening
Tranexamic acid + niacinamide for dark spots · 109 mentions
Dry SkinSensitive Skin
5% ascorbic acid — gentler vitamin C · 23 mentions
Dry SkinSensitive Skin
Dark-spot focus, not just a generic brightening serum · 20 mentions
Tranexamic Acid
Oil control and pore shrinkage · 576 mentions
Skin BarrierTexture / Pores
Watery, fast-absorbing centella · 533 mentions
Dry SkinSensitive Skin
Hydration monster for tight, flaky skin · 365 mentions
Dry SkinSensitive Skin
Browse more
Reddit's best serums by concern
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