Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

The Ordinary·Serum

Basic hydrating serum with 2% hyaluronic acid and added B5, favored for layering on damp skin but notorious for sticky texture and mixed reactions on irritation and effectiveness, especially for dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin.

20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum

Timeless·Serum

The 20% L-ascorbic acid vitamin C serum with added vitamin E and ferulic acid serves as a potent morning antioxidant for brightening faded hyperpigmentation and enhancing sun protection but has a reputation for causing irritation and breakouts, especially on sensitive or compromised skin barriers.

Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule

Skin1004·Serum

Lightweight, hydrating, and super soothing ampoule beloved on r/AsianBeauty and r/SkincareAddiction for calming redness and supporting skin barrier, especially when layered under tretinoin or actives.

Azelaic Acid 10 Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum

Anua·Serum

A 10% azelaic acid serum with hyaluronic acid praised for redness and texture improvement but known to cause irritation and flares if over-applied or on compromised barriers, best introduced slowly and layered carefully in sensitive skin routines.

Intensive Anti-Spot Essence

Melano CC·Serum

Vitamin C essence with a subtle vitamin E boost, r/AsianBeauty's slow but steady pick for fading stubborn hyperpigmentation and brightening dull skin, though it can sometimes provoke whiteheads or irritation on sensitive acne-prone skin.

Tranexamic Acid 10% Serum

Cos De BAHA·Serum

Tranexamic acid 10% serum is a pigmentation-targeting serum favored for fading stubborn hyperpigmentation and PIE when layered carefully with other actives like azelaic acid and tretinoin but can sting sensitive or compromised skin due to its potency and centella content.

Discoloration Correcting Serum

Good Molecules·Serum

Gentle nightly serum with tranexamic acid and niacinamide that many use to fade hyperpigmentation and brighten tone, notable for its thin texture that layers well without pilling moisturizer.

Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA

The Ordinary·Serum

A hyaluronic acid serum with 2% alpha arbutin that r/AsianBeauty and r/tretinoin use mainly for fading hyperpigmentation and post-acne dark spots, though some say results take months and can be subtle.

Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%

The Ordinary·Serum

High-concentration L-ascorbic acid suspension with hyaluronic acid spheres that brightens skin and tackles hyperpigmentation but often stings and feels gritty on application.

Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%

The Ordinary·Serum

Low-dose vitamin C serum with alpha arbutin for dullness and hyperpigmentation that works well under makeup but can sting sensitive skin.

Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%

The Ordinary·Serum

A lightweight 12% ascorbyl glucoside vitamin C solution that targets hyperpigmentation and dullness with some users seeing immediate brightening but mixed results on overall improvement.

Vitamin C Complex Serum

Naturium·Serum

Vitamin C serum with 10-15% L-ascorbic acid, popular among those fading hyperpigmentation and dullness but can irritate rosacea and sensitive skin.

Vitamin C Serum

Mad Hippie·Serum

Vitamin C serum favored for anti-aging and brightening benefits with routine morning use, though it can cause irritation especially on sensitive or body skin.

15% Vitamin C And EGF Serum

The Inkey List·Serum

15% vitamin C serum with added EGF offers a lightweight, hydrating texture that brightens dull skin but has a reputation for causing irritation and stinging—especially on sensitive skin or when layered with retinol.

10% Niacinamide Serum

Skinlex·Serum

A 10% niacinamide serum with a promising ingredient list that some users praise for barrier relief and versatility across dry and oily skin, but others report no visible benefits, possibly due to penetration issues.