Essence Hello, Good Stuff! Glow Serum Primer
Enjoy similar Glow Recipe results with this less expensive dupe. While it’s not an exact match, the formula is pretty similar. Once these smooth, clear drops blend onto your skin, the radiant results are identical to the pricier Glow Recipe. That’s because Essence serum contains niacinamide and watermelon, both ingredients in the original product.
The hydrating light gel texture is absorbent and made with 93% natural ingredients to achieve smooth, supple, and naturally dewy skin.
Pros
Contains niacinamide for skin health
Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
Brightens and softens for a dewy glow
Free from parabens
Cons
Contains fragrance
AprilSkin Carrotene Clarifying Serum
Get the best skin of your life with this non-comedogenic and pore-tightening serum that matches Glow Recipe’s results. Infused with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and beta-carotene, this serum renews and supports the skin barrier, fights breakouts, soothes irritation, smooths uneven skin tone, and improves hyperpigmentation for a dewy finish.
Pros
Contains antioxidants and niacinamide
Improves skin tone
Good for sensitive, oily, and acne-prone skin
Vegan and cruelty-free
Non-comedogenic
Cons
Slight tinging sensation that some may not like
Numbuzin’s No. 3 Skin-Softening Serum
Cruelty-free, reef-safe, and suitable for sensitive skin, this serum has a 65% match to Glow Recipe’s revolutionary ingredients. The formula is rich with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid that helps fight acne, brighten dry skin, calm oiliness, heal scars, tighten pores, and reduce dark spots to achieve a glossy glow.
Pros
Nourishing formula for skin vitality
Healing effects for acne and scars
Pore-tightening benefits
Silicone, paraben, oil, fragrance, alcohol, allergen, and sulfate-free
Cons
Do a skin patch test to check for any reactions prior to use
e.l.f. Jelly Pop Dew Primer
This versatile product has a nourishing gel formula packed with key ingredients like niacinamide, Vitamin C, and watermelon extract that even out pigmentation, reduce wrinkles, fight acne, and brighten skin.
Pros
Safe for sensitive skin
Works as a primer
Offers a healthy glow
Contains niacinamide and watermelon ingredients
Cons
Not fragrance-free (contains a faint watermelon scent)
Beauty of Joseon Glow Propolis + Niacinamide Serum
This soothing and effective serum blends Korean herbalism with Korean skincare. The result is a honey-like and hydrating serum packed with ingredients such as niacinamide, propolis, tamanu oil, and betaine salicylate that offer skin-restorative, oil, and moisture-balancing, sebum control, and antimicrobial benefits that help heal, tone, and protect the skin barrier.
The smooth serum texture adds hydration without stickiness, creates an instant glass skin look, and helps you achieve better skin long-term.
Pros
Calms acne flares
Reduces redness
Free from fragrances, alcohol, mineral oil, and essential oils
Creates glass skin look
Cons
Does not absorb as easily as similar serums
Calamine Derma Secret Serum
Looking for a glass-skincare alternative that will soothe sensitive or irritated skin? This calming niacinamide serum helps tighten pores, minimize acne, and eliminate blackheads, all while moisturizing and brightening for silky-smooth skin.
Pros
Light fragrance
Good for oily, red, or sensitive skin
Contains niacinamide
Cons
Contains a lot of non-natural ingredients
Earth to Skin Superfruits Watermelon Hydrating Juicy Serum
Give your skin a drink with this sheer, juicy serum that gives a flawless glow finish. The formula is non-greasy and instantly refreshes your face, eye area, and neck. Infused with antioxidants, humectants, restorative watermelon fruit extract, Vitamin C, and Vitamin B6, it also doubles as a smooth makeup primer.
Pros
Non-greasy and Moisturizing
Contains watermelon extract, B vitamins, vitamin C, and antioxidants
Creates flawless glow
Cons
Dries down a little sticky
Naturium Niacinamide Face Serum
If you’re dealing with extra-oily skin, acne, or seborrheic dermatitis, this powerful serum treats breakout-prone skin and gives you a smooth finish after several uses. Formulated with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, this serum also employs moisturizing Zinc to refine tone, reduce acne marks, and stop breakouts in their tracks.
Pros
Contains hyaluronic acid and niacinamide
Fade acne scars after consistent use
Good for eczema, rosacea, and oily skin
Cons
Strong niacinamide concentration may cause irritation/redness for those sensitive to niacinamides (if that’s the case, check out the Inkey serum below).
Doesn’t achieve glass skin
Laneige Glowy Makeup Serum
Rich with antioxidants, ceramides, betaine, and glycerin that support and repair the skin barrier, this hydrating serum doubles as an illuminating primer. The glowy serum locks in intense moisture. It also contains diamond powder and mica and tin oxide to give your skin a high-impact finish.
Pros
Dual-purpose hydrating and illuminating serum
Instant dewy results
Fragrance, alcohol, and essential oil-free
Suitable for those with oily skin
Cons
Enriched with diamond powder
Can feel sticky
No niacinamide
The Inkey List Polyglutamic Acid Serum
Packed with powerful ingredients like polyglutamic acid and hyaluronic acid, this milky serum glides on for a silky-smooth glow. It’s also ultra-hydrating. The gel serum is non-sticky and acts more like a primer to blur fine lines and achieve a sleek finish.
Pros
Nourishing blend with polyglutamic and hyaluronic acid
Ideal for sensitive skin types
Hydrating properties for skin suppleness
Wrinkle and fine-line reducing
Contains hyaluronic acid
Cons
No niacinamide
Some people don’t love the natural scent
Choosing the Best Glow Recipe Dew Drops Alternative
Glass skin is a popular Korean skincare trend that gained traction via social media in 2017. It later took Western culture by storm. Glass skin refers to sleek, clear, and reflective skin that resembles glass.
That’s where Glow Recipe Dew Drops shine. Packed with skin-brightening niacinamide, watermelon extract that improves skin health thanks to antioxidant benefits, and hydrating hyaluronic acid, Glow Recipe addresses your skin’s deepest needs.
Whether you’re looking for alternative price points, seeking a fragrance-free glowy drops option, or need a serum that caters to specific skin needs, such as dry, oily, or acne-prone skin, we’ve picked the best glass skin serums that duplicate Glow Recipe’s enviable results. There’s something for everything on the list, from dupes that are good for oily skin to gentler ones for sensitive skin and ones that even work as primers under makeup to make your glow last longer.
The Most Affordable Glow Recipe Dew Drops Alternative
This Essence Hello, Good Stuff! Glow Serum Primer gives you similar juicy, dewy skin in minutes thanks to its 93% natural ingredients and niacinamide formula.
Our Favorite Glow Recipe Dew Drops Dupe
If you want to try more affordable and natural Korean skincare that heals, hydrates, and protects the skin for a healthy, natural, and luminous glow, we love how Glow of Joseon achieves similar Glow Recipe results.