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Product photo: Olive Young Korea
Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Serum
Innisfree's best-known serum: a light, watery hydration layer with niacinamide, glycerin and several forms of hyaluronic acid.
Buyer verdictA good everyday hydrating serum if you like light layers and don't mind essential oils. In Seoul, the 80ml bottle usually comes with a 25ml bonus, which makes it one of the easier serums to justify buying there.
- Key ingredient
- Glycerin, betaine and saccharide isomerate, Niacinamide
- Texture
- Watery gel, absorbs fast
- Routine step
- serum · AM & PM
- Korean pack
- 80ml (+25ml)
Overview
Korea vs international: The Korean label lists lemon peel, cardamom, spearmint and other essential oils. Innisfree US says its version is made without fragrance, so the bottle sold on Amazon US is likely a different formula. Same name and size, not necessarily the same serum.
Key ingredients
- Glycerin, betaine and saccharide isomerate Humectants that do most of the hydrating
- Niacinamide Fifth on the list; barrier and even tone
- Five forms of hyaluronic acid Water-binding, in small amounts
- Green tea seed oil The name ingredient (about 0.26%); softens
- Squalane and panthenol Keep the finish soft, not tight
From the US, it's 31% cheaper in Seoul after tax and refund.
Seoul packs often add a bonus (+25ml); we don't count it in the saving.
What it is
This is the serum most people picture when they think of Innisfree. The current Korean version, now sold as 그린티 히알루론산 수분 세럼, is a watery gel that sits between toner and cream.
Despite the name, green tea isn’t what does the work. The top of the ingredient list is water, propanediol and glycerin, followed by niacinamide, betaine and saccharide isomerate. That is a classic hydrating base. The green tea seed oil (about 0.26%) and green tea extract (366 ppm, or 0.04%) are there in small amounts.
Who it suits (and who should skip it)
Good pick if
- You want light hydration that layers well under sunscreen or makeup
- Your skin feels tight after cleansing but heavy creams feel greasy
- You want one simple serum for morning and night
Skip it if
- You react to essential oils or fragrance allergens (the Korean bottle has several)
- You already have a hydrating serum you like; this won’t do much more
- You want a targeted treatment for acne, dark spots or wrinkles
What the ingredients do
The humectants (glycerin, betaine, saccharide isomerate, propanediol) are why skin feels plumper straight away. They draw water into the outer layer of skin.
Niacinamide is high on the list. It isn’t a 10% niacinamide treatment, but it’s more than a token amount. It supports the barrier and helps with an even-looking tone over time.
Hyaluronic acid comes in five forms. Two of them are at about 100 ppm each, and the other three are much smaller. The marketing makes a lot of this, but the humectants above do more of the hydrating.
Squalane, panthenol and allantoin make the finish feel soft rather than sticky.
The essential oils (lemon peel, cardamom, spearmint, citronella, galbanum) give it its fresh scent. They are the main reason sensitive skin might not get on with it.
How to use it
After cleansing and toner, use two to three pumps on the face and neck, morning and night. Pat it in and let it settle for a minute, then follow with moisturiser. In the morning, finish with sunscreen.
On oily skin in hot weather, some people use it in place of a cream during the day. Try that only if your skin doesn’t feel tight by midday.
How it compares
Torriden DIVE-IN Serum is the obvious rival. Its published ingredient list has no essential oils, more panthenol and a touch of ceramide. It’s the safer choice for reactive skin.
Wellage Real Hyaluronic Blue 100 Ampoule is the pick if you want more hyaluronic acid. Its list shows about 1,000 ppm sodium hyaluronate, roughly ten times this serum, and no essential oils.
Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Toner is a different routine step. Use it before a serum, not instead of one.
Is it worth buying in Seoul?
Often, yes. Two things matter more than the headline price.
The bonus. Olive Young usually sells the 80ml bottle with a 25ml mini attached. That extra serum isn’t counted in our saving, so the real deal is better than the figure in the price box.
The formula. The US bottle is sold as fragrance-free, while the Korean one is not. If that matters to you, you may prefer to buy at home even if it costs more.
FAQ
Does it contain fragrance?
The Korean bottle does. Its label lists limonene, lemon peel oil, citral, cardamom, spearmint, citronella and galbanum oils. Innisfree US says the US version is made without fragrance, so the two may be different formulas.
Is there a 30ml size in Korea?
Not in the current range. Innisfree Korea sells 50ml, 80ml and 130ml, plus an 80ml refill pouch. Olive Young's usual listing is the 80ml with a 25ml bonus.
Is it good for oily skin?
Usually, yes. It is light and doesn't leave a film. Innisfree Korea says it has passed a non-comedogenic test. If you're very oily, it may be enough on its own in summer.
Can it replace my moisturiser?
For most people, no. It adds water to the skin, but has little oil to hold it in. Follow with a cream, especially if your skin is dry or it's winter.
Can I use it with retinol, vitamin C or acids?
Yes. Nothing in it clashes with common actives. Apply your active first, then this, then moisturiser.
