Collection: Serums

Korean serums are lightweight skincare treatments formulated with a high concentration of active ingredients to target specific skin concerns. Compared to toners, serums have a slightly richer texture and need a few extra seconds to fully get absorbed by the skin. There are many different types, based on the skin concern you want to tackle:

• Brightening serums: Infused with Vitamin C or niacinamide, these serums are designed to fade hyperpigmentation and restore skin’s glow. If you are a beginner and are still unsure of the right amount of Vitamin C, Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum is extremely adequate for new starters.
• Anti-ageing serums: Powered by ingredients like retinol, PDRN and peptides, they support skin elasticity and smooth the appearance of fine lines. 
• Hydrating & Barrier-repair serums: They utilise ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, panthenol and snail mucin to intensively hydrate the skin and soothe a compromised barrier. A new addition at Malkn is the Village 11 Factory Hydro Boost Serum.

A Vitamin C serum is a powerful antioxidant treatment that neutralises free radicals and harmful environmental toxins that come in contact with your skin, delivering a brighter, rejuvenated complexion. It acts like a daily shield for your skin and protects it from daily stressors, such as pollution and UV rays. Beyond this, Vitamin C is also globally celebrated for its ability to inhibit melanin production and fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation. 

While Vitamin C is highly beneficial, we always recommend starting from a lower concentration, as high-intensity formulas can easily irritate the skin, causing redness or irritation. For daily use, the safest and most effective concentration ranges between 10% and 20% of pure Vitamin C. 

* Malkn Tip: If you have highly sensitive skin or you are a beginner, we highly recommend starting with a gentle 3% or 5% concentration. You may check Numbuzin No.5+ Glutathione Vitamin Concentrated Serum or SOME BY MI Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Serum for gentle yet effective formulas.

Yes, you can layer multiple Korean serums in the same routine, but you should be mindful to do it correctly. To minimise pilling, always apply your skincare in order of texture, starting with the thinnest, most lightweight serum and finishing with richer formulas. This way, you allow your skin to fully absorb a product before moving on to the next one. It’s also a good idea to let each serum absorb for a few moments before layering another one on top. 

* Malkn Tip: As a general rule, it is best to limit your routine to a maximum of two treatments at a time to avoid overwhelming the skin barrier and cause unneccessary irritation or breakouts.

Layering serums is highly effective; however, certain active ingredients shouldn’t be mixed as they might irritate the skin when combined or neutralise each other's formulas. For example, Vitamin C shouldn’t be mixed with retinoids or exfoliating acids, such as AHAs and BHAs.

• Do not mix Vitamin C and retinoids: Because Vitamin C and retinoids operate best at entirely different pH levels, applying them together can cause them to neutralise each other and become less effective, while also triggering unnecessary skin irritation. The best practice is to reserve Vitamin C for the morning routine and retinoids for the night. 
• Do not mix Vitamin C with exfoliating acids (AHAs/BHAs): Using these highly acidic formulas together can easily compromise the skin barrier and cause redness or burning. Instead, it is recommended to alternate these serums and use them on different days. 

* Malkn Tip: Because it might be hard to know all the pairings, we have listed a few of the most beneficial ones below: 

• Vitamin C + niacinamide for brightening 
• Retinol + niacinamide to reduce irritation 
• Hyaluronic acid + AHAs/BHAs to exfoliate while keeping the skin hydrated.

It is difficult to define when results will become visible to the naked eye, as they depend on the type of serum and the skin concern you are targeting. As a general rule, hydrating Korean serums, enriched with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, provide immediate results, making the skin look softer and plumper right after application. On the other hand, targeted treatments like brightening serums require a bit more patience. If you are using a formula to fade hyperpigmentation, for example, you will typically begin to see a brighter complexion after a few weeks of consistent daily use.