Blemish Serum — Reddit Reviews
by Papa Recipe
Updated September 3, 2026
Niacinamide serum that brightens uneven tone and layers well under makeup.
What the community says
A lightweight serum favored for daytime layering with tretinoin due to its glow. It suits those wanting brightening benefits without heaviness. Niacinamide can sting sensitive or irritated skin, so caution is advised when combining treatments.
What this means for you
What people love
- Lightweight with a pump and large bottle size
- Effective for uneven skin tone and acne-prone skin
- Provides a notable daytime glow with tretinoin
Watch out for
- Can sting sensitive skin likely due to niacinamide
- Does not significantly improve post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
- May cause redness or irritation for sensitive users
Product details
Skin type data limited
Where to buy
Real Reddit threads — 6 mentions across 6 threads
Papa Recipe Blemish Serum on Reddit, in one place — 6 threads from r/tretinoin and r/AsianBeauty, summarized.
“AM: Water, DIY glycerin water toner, Hada Labo Gokujyun light, Papa recipe blemish serum”
Positive
“the papa recipe blemish serum also does God’s work on the skin.”
Positive
“It works so beautifully in the daytime when you use tret. The glow it delivers is just outrageous.”
Positive
“I also stopped using my blemish serum from Papa recipe”
Cautionary
“it had started to make my skin sting”
Cautionary
“probably because of the niacinamide”
Cautionary
“Papa Recipe Blemish Serum is great for uneven skin tone but doesn't do anything for PIH”
Mentioned
“Not sure if it's relevant but Papa Recipe Blemish Serum is great for uneven skin tone but doesn't do anything for PIH”
Mentioned
“Feel free to recommend in any and all price ranges!!”
Mentioned
“or papa recipe blemish serum”
Positive
“I like how it's 150ml and a pump but feels lighter than hadalabo”
Positive
“Then serum is either melano vitamin c, hadalabo premium lotion (yellow bottle, feels moisturing) or papa recipe blemish serum”
Positive
“Papa recipe blemish serum and cream are both great for acne-prone skin.”
Mentioned
“Papa Recipe Blemish Serum — for my mum”
Mentioned
“miscellaneous:”
Mentioned
“for my mum”
Mentioned