Another Amazon bestseller korean product that’s not popular in Korea lol. Despite the “Seoul” branding, Seoul Ceuticals isn’t actually a recognized brand here — definitely one of those brands using K-beauty buzz without real Korean roots.

I finally tried their Day Glow Serum because it’s everywhere in U.S. skincare circles. It’s marketed as a dupe for the Skinceuticals C E Ferulic, featuring 20% Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate), Vitamin E, and Ferulic Acid.

Sounds promising, right? But unfortunately, it didn’t work out for me.

On the first day of using this serum, I had an allergic reaction — redness, itchiness, and small bumps started to appear within hours. Definitely not something I could keep using on my face. Plus, it took me days to get my skin back haha. Not a fun experience at all. 

Looking deeper into the ingredients, I noticed a few potential triggers:

• Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract: This can be really irritating for sensitive skin because of its natural tannins and alcohol content.

• Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate: It’s a more stable form of Vitamin C, but at high concentrations (like 20%), it can be harsh if your skin barrier isn’t perfectly healthy.

• Essential Oils (like Citrus Oils): Natural doesn’t always mean gentle. Citrus oils can sensitize the skin, especially under sun exposure.

Overall, if you have sensitive or reactive skin, I’d be cautious. It’s affordable and brightens well for a lot of people — but for me, it was a miss. Always patch test first, especially with high-potency Vitamin C serums!