I'm 29—about to turn 30—and my skin still shows signs of the sun damage I incurred in high school. Back then, I was a carefree teenager who soaked up the sun wearing minimal sunscreen if any at all. I know, I know. I cringe just thinking about it, but what can I say? Skincare and sunscreen awareness weren't as big back then as they are now.
These days, I wear sunscreen (and lots of it) every day, seek shade when I can, and invest in a small stockpile of hats to keep UV rays off my face and chest. Each fall, I go on a skin-brightening and tone-evening mission to fade any pigmentation that might have popped up during the previous summer. This time, I'm using an underrated product that just so happens to be Korea's best-selling vitamin C serum. Yes, really. The internet loves it for its brightening, anti-aging, and skin tone–evening benefits, and honestly, so do I. Keep scrolling to learn more.
The Product
Here's the product in question—Goodal's Green Tangerine Vitamin C Serum. It's readily available to shop on Amazon (many other Korean skincare products can't say the same), and it retails for only $20 per 1.01 fluid-ounce bottle (which is pretty good considering other vitamin C serums retail for double if not triple that price). What really sets it apart from other vitamin C serums, though, is its effective formula. It's so effective that the brand says it has become Korea's best-selling vitamin C serum. That's major.
The hero ingredient is green tangerine, which the brand claims has 10 times the vitamin C of lemons. The brand uses organic green tangerines that are handpicked during a small window in July, which is when they say vitamin C levels are the highest. A whopping 70% of the formula is green tangerine extract. There's also 4% niacinamide. Together, these ingredients brighten dullness and improve dark spots and discoloration from sun damage and/or acne.
Thanks to soothing ingredients like Centella asiatica (aka tiger grass), it's also suitable for sensitive skin types because it prevents inflammation and strengthens the skin barrier. In fact, it's so gentle that it can be used both morning and night. And don't worry about oxidation. The UV-coated bottle and airless pump keep it stable.
My Review
Beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock wearing Goodal Green Tangerine Vitamin C Serum
My sun damage is so evident here. Look closely, and you'll see redness, fine lines, and dark spots on my nose and cheeks. It's the latter that annoys me the most, which is why I'm constantly trying brightening and skin tone–evening products.
I've only been using this serum for about three weeks, but I can see an improvement in my skin. It's more even, my dark spots are slowly but surely fading, and my skin is generally less dull than it was before. I can't wait to see the results after a month or two of using this serum.
One more thing to note: I love its cooling, refreshing, jelly-like texture. Unlike other vitamin C serums that tend to feel watery, the gel-like texture of this one feels like it plumps and hydrates my skin upon application. I think it's been helping curb some of my irritation and chronic redness (thanks, rosacea).
I won't be stopping with the vitamin C serum, because the brand offers a whole line of green tangerine–infused skincare products. I plan on using them in tandem to boost and accelerate my brightening and skin tone–evening results.
Shop More Goodal Green Tangerine Skincare Products
The matching moisturizer has a similar gel texture that feels cool and refreshing on the skin. It features small, orange-tinted spheres called "vita-capsules" that are concentrated with fresh vitamin C derivatives. They burst upon application.
The brand's Green Tangerine Eye Cream targets dark circles and signs of aging.
These toner-soaked pads are easy to bring with you and use on the go.
To really boost your brightening results, try this serum-soaked sheet mask set.
Finally, there are these gel eye patches, which contain the same brightening ingredients as the vitamin C serum. Use them for just five minutes to see results.
10 More Korean Skincare Products I Love
This hyaluronic acid and Centella asiatica sunscreen is so soothing.
This moisturizer is like a tall drink of water for thirsty skin.
Use this skin barrier–strengthening mask to nix redness, dryness, and irritation.
I would be remiss if I didn't include one of my all-time favorite lip products.
Here's another underrated Korean vitamin C serum.
Green tea and hyaluronic acid hydrate the skin and strengthen the moisture barrier.
If you want glowy, glass skin, try Innisfree's Cherry Blossom Glow Jelly Cream.
Snail mucin is so beneficial—especially for dry, dehydrated skin types.
While the aforementioned snail mucin essence gets all the hype (it's all over TikTok), I think the matching face cream deserves more credit. It's just as good.
This serum has an ultra-light texture that's similar to freshly squeezed yuzu juice.
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