Beauty of Joseon
Glow Deep Serum: Rice + Alpha Arbutin 30 ml – Targeted Dark Spot & Brightening Serum
- Regular price £13.99
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What is it?
Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum: Rice + Alpha Arbutin is a brightening treatment serum designed to tackle hyperpigmentation, sun spots, post-acne marks and general dullness without using harsh acids or hydroquinone.
It’s powered by 68% rice bran water, a classic K-beauty ingredient rich in vitamins, amino acids and antioxidants to hydrate, smooth and support the skin barrier, plus 2% alpha arbutin, one of the gentlest and most effective brightening agents for reducing visible discoloration.
The formula is rounded out with niacinamide, panthenol, glyceryl glucoside and a blend of grain extracts (rice, barley, sesame, soybean, corn, coix, mung bean) for extra hydration, barrier support and that “quiet healthy glow” over time.
The texture is thin, water-light and fast absorbing – no stickiness, no greasiness – which makes it easy to slot into any routine.
Who is it for?
✔ All skin types – normal, dry, combination, oily and balanced
✔ Pigmentation, sun spots, post-acne marks, melasma-prone areas
✔ Dull, sallow skin lacking radiance
✔ Sensitive skin that can’t tolerate strong peels or high-acid toners
✔ Anyone already using SPF but wanting an extra boost against discoloration
If your main issue is “my skin tone isn’t even” rather than active breakouts, this is one of the best BOJ picks for you.
Why you’ll love it
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68% Rice Bran Water = glow + hydration
Rice bran water is loaded with vitamins, amino acids and antioxidants that help gently brighten, hydrate and soften rough patches while supporting a stronger moisture barrier. -
2% Alpha Arbutin for targeted dark spot care
Alpha arbutin is a derivative of hydroquinone that inhibits tyrosinase, the enzyme involved in melanin production. At 2%, it’s a well-studied sweet spot for fading dark spots and preventing new ones with far less irritation than classic hydroquinone. -
Niacinamide for extra brightening & barrier support
Niacinamide works alongside alpha arbutin by reducing the transfer of pigment, refining texture and supporting the skin barrier. Together they give more even tone and smoother texture over time. -
Hydrating, comfort-focused base
Glycerin, butylene glycol, methyl gluceth-20, panthenol, polyglycerin-3, trehalose and glyceryl glucoside provide humectant hydration so brightening care doesn’t come at the expense of moisture. -
Hanbang grain complex
Extracts from rice, barley, sesame, soybean, corn, coix and mung bean bring traditional Korean herbal benefits: antioxidant support, soothing and a subtle lift in overall vitality and clarity. -
Sensitive-skin-aware formula
The serum is alcohol-free, fragrance-free and essential-oil-free, which makes it much easier to use consistently on pigment-prone, easily-irritated skin.
Free-from / Ethics
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Alcohol-free
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Fragrance-free & essential-oil-free
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Cruelty-free brand
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Vegan-friendly formula (no animal-derived ingredients listed)
When to use
AM and/or PM after cleansing and toner/essence, before heavier serums and moisturiser.
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Step-by-step
- Prep the skin
Cleanse, then apply a hydrating toner or essence so your skin is slightly damp.
- Apply the serum
Use 2–3 drops (or a small pea-sized amount) into clean hands.
Gently spread over face and neck, focusing on:
Areas with dark spots, post-acne marks or sun damage (cheeks, forehead, upper lip, temples).
- Press & absorb
Use light pressing and sweeping motions for 30–60 seconds until fully absorbed.
You can add a tiny extra drop directly on stubborn spots and tap in.
- Seal it in
Follow with a moisturiser suited to your skin type.
- Daytime = SPF is non-negotiable
In the morning, always finish with broad-spectrum SPF 30–50.
No sunscreen = new pigmentation, which cancels out everything this serum is doing.
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Tips to get the most out of it
- Use once a day to start (usually PM), then build up to twice daily if your skin is happy.
- Can be safely paired with most actives; if your routine already has strong acids or retinoids, consider using this on alternate nights or keeping everything else simple and hydrating.
- Take progress photos every 4 weeks in similar lighting – pigmentation changes slowly and photos are the easiest way to see real progress.
Patch-test first. Brightening serums are active: apply a little behind your ear or on your jawline and wait 24 hours before full use.
Ingredients
Full Ingredients (INCI)
Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Water, Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Alpha-Arbutin, Niacinamide, Methyl Gluceth-20, Panthenol, Polyglycerin-3, Trehalose, Glyceryl Glucoside, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Arginine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Glucose, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract, Hordeum Distichon (Barley) Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Extract, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Seed Extract, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Zea Mays (Corn) Kernel Extract.
Key Ingredients Explained
Rice Bran Water (68%)
Hydrating, vitamin- and amino-acid-rich base that helps soften texture, support the barrier and give a subtle brightening effect – a modern version of traditional rice-water skincare.
Alpha Arbutin (2%)
Gentle, stable brightening active that inhibits melanin production, helping to fade dark spots, post-acne marks and sun damage, and to prevent new pigmentation from forming when used with SPF.
Niacinamide
Multi-tasking ingredient that reduces the look of uneven tone, improves texture, supports the barrier and works synergistically with arbutin for more even, radiant skin.
Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5)
Soothing humectant that helps boost moisture, calm irritation and increase comfort, particularly useful when you’re treating pigmentation over the long term.
Humectant blend (Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Trehalose, Glyceryl Glucoside, Polyglycerin-3)
A stack of water-binding ingredients that keep the skin plump, hydrated and less prone to dehydration lines, so brightening doesn’t mean drying.
Grain Complex (Rice, Barley, Sesame, Soybean, Corn, Coix, Mung Bean)
Traditional grain extracts that offer antioxidant, moisturising and soothing benefits, supporting long-term skin health and tone evenness.
Coptis Japonica Root Extract
A calming herbal extract with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helping to keep pigment-prone skin comfortable while you treat it.
We dispatch all orders within 1 business day (Monday–Friday) from our London, UK base via Royal Mail Tracked.
- UK Standard £3.99: Royal Mail Tracked Standard Delivery (2-3 working days from dispatch) Free on orders over £30
- UK Express £5.50: Royal Mail Tracked First Class Delivery (1-2 working days from dispatch)
- EU: £9.99 (3–7 working days) – Free on orders over €80
Please note: EU orders may be subject to local VAT or handling fees upon delivery, depending on your country’s customs rules.