SKINFOOD Serums
SKINFOOD's serum range covers 34+ products across several ingredient lines. The Gold Caviar line contributes the Collagen Plus Serum 40ml, Ex Serum 50ml, IEX Serum 50ml, and IEX Lifting Eye Serum 32ml. Targeted treatment serums include the Peach Sake Pore Serum 55ml, the Yuzu Seed Blemish Serum 50ml, and the Salmon PDRN Eyelash Serum 7.6g. The Black Sugar Perfect First Serum Essential 120ml is the post-exfoliation treatment in the Black Sugar system.
By Skinsli editorial Updated
Buying guide
SKINFOOD Serums: Gold Caviar, Targeted Treatments, and System Serums
SKINFOOD's 34+ serums cover four categories: the Gold Caviar prestige line for nourishing and firming, the Peach Sake Pore Serum for texture refinement, the Yuzu Seed Blemish Serum for active breakout management, the Salmon PDRN Eyelash Serum for lash conditioning, and the Black Sugar Perfect First Serum as the post-exfoliation recovery serum. This guide explains each product and how to place them in a routine.
Gold Caviar IEX Serum 50ml: Current Generation Prestige Serum
The Gold Caviar IEX Serum 50ml is the latest generation serum in SKINFOOD's prestige line, using caviar extract and gold as the core ingredients. It is applied after the Gold Caviar IEX Toner and before the IEX Emulsion and IEX Cream in the full Gold Caviar routine. At 50ml it provides approximately 60-90 applications at standard serum amounts, or 2-4 months of daily use.
The IEX designation indicates a formula refinement over the Ex generation. For users building the complete Gold Caviar IEX routine, this is the serum step. For users who already own the Ex Serum, the IEX is the current counterpart but not a required upgrade if the Ex is working well.
Gold Caviar Ex Serum 50ml: First-Generation Caviar Serum
The Gold Caviar Ex Serum 50ml is the first-generation Gold Caviar serum and pairs with the Gold Caviar Ex Toner and Ex Emulsion for users who prefer the original formula generation. Both the Ex and IEX serums use the same core caviar and gold ingredient combination. The Ex remains available for users who started with the first generation and prefer consistency with their existing Gold Caviar products.
At 50ml both the Ex and IEX provide the same supply duration. The Ex Serum is a practical choice when available at a discount compared to the IEX, as the core nourishing function is the same.
Gold Caviar Collagen Plus Serum 40ml: Collagen-Enhanced Prestige Treatment
The Gold Caviar Collagen Plus Serum 40ml adds a collagen-boosting ingredient to the standard caviar-gold combination. At 40ml it is slightly smaller than the Ex and IEX 50ml serums, but the Collagen Plus designation positions it as a more specialized treatment for users who want explicit collagen support alongside the caviar nourishment. Multiple catalog listings for this product (with and without formatting differences) represent the same item.
The Collagen Plus Serum pairs with the Gold Caviar Collagen Plus Toner for a consistent collagen-and-caviar thread through both the toner and serum steps of the routine. It is the most directly anti-aging positioned serum in the Gold Caviar line.
Gold Caviar IEX Lifting Eye Serum 32ml: Dedicated Eye Treatment
The Gold Caviar IEX Lifting Eye Serum 32ml is the eye-specific product in the IEX generation, designed for the delicate orbital area. At 32ml it is sized for dedicated eye use, providing approximately 90-120 applications at a small per-application amount. The lifting positioning targets sagging or fine lines in the eye area where the skin is thinner and more susceptible to early aging signs.
In the routine, the eye serum is applied after the main face serum and before the eye cream, using gentle tapping with the ring finger. The Gold Caviar IEX Lifting Eye Serum is the most targeted anti-aging product in the eye category from SKINFOOD's caviar range.
Peach Sake Pore Serum 55ml: Fermentation-Based Texture Refinement
The Peach Sake Pore Serum 55ml uses sake (rice fermentation) and peach extract for pore refinement and skin texture improvement. Sake fermentation byproducts contain enzymes and organic acids that exfoliate at a lower intensity than straight AHAs, making the Peach Sake Serum a gentler daily alternative to an AHA toner for users who want gradual texture refinement without high-intensity chemical exfoliation.
At 55ml it is a mid-size serum providing 55-90 applications. Apply after toner and before cream, using 2-3 drops pressed gently into the skin. The Peach Sake Pore Serum works well alongside the Acorn Pore Peptide Cream as a serum-plus-moisturizer pore routine, where the sake provides refinement and the acorn cream provides tightening and structural support.
Yuzu Seed Blemish Serum 50ml: Targeted Blemish Treatment
The Yuzu Seed Blemish Serum 50ml uses yuzu citrus seed extract for its vitamin C-adjacent brightening and blemish-targeting properties. Yuzu is a Japanese-Korean citrus fruit with a high vitamin C content that provides antioxidant and brightening effects particularly useful for post-blemish hyperpigmentation. This positions the Yuzu Seed Serum as a treatment for active breakouts and their aftermath rather than a general hydrating serum.
At 50ml it provides approximately 50-90 applications at standard serum amounts. For blemish-prone skin, the Yuzu Seed Blemish Serum addresses both the active breakout (antimicrobial properties of the citrus extract) and the post-blemish marks (brightening and antioxidant effects). Apply to the full face as a treatment serum or use targeted application on problem areas.
Salmon PDRN Eyelash Serum 7.6g: PDRN for Lash Conditioning
The Salmon PDRN Eyelash Serum 7.6g is SKINFOOD's lash care product, using Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) derived from salmon DNA as the active ingredient. PDRN is used in regenerative aesthetics for its wound-healing and tissue-support properties. In an eyelash serum context, it is applied to condition the lash follicle area and support lash health and density over consistent use.
At 7.6g it is a compact product sized for lash-only use. Apply to the upper lash line with the included brush or applicator before bed, in the same way as lash serums from other Korean and international brands. Consistent nightly use over 4-6 weeks is the standard timeframe to assess results from a PDRN lash serum.
Black Sugar Perfect First Serum Essential 120ml: Post-Exfoliation Recovery
The Black Sugar Perfect First Serum Essential 120ml is part of the Black Sugar exfoliation system and is the largest serum in the SKINFOOD range. A first serum is designed for post-cleanse application on freshly exfoliated skin when the barrier is most permeable. At 120ml it is sized for daily application across the full face, contrasting with the dropper-vial volumes of typical 30-50ml treatment serums.
The generous size and first-serum format mean this product delivers the Black Sugar actives at high absorption efficiency immediately after using the Black Sugar Mask, Scrub Foam, or Cleansing Oil. For users in the Black Sugar routine, the First Serum is the connective tissue between the exfoliation steps and the moisturizing steps.
Choosing a SKINFOOD Serum by Skin Concern
Mature or dry skin wanting prestige nourishment and firmness: Gold Caviar IEX Serum 50ml or Gold Caviar Collagen Plus Serum 40ml for the combined caviar-gold-collagen benefit.
Eye-area lifting and fine lines: Gold Caviar IEX Lifting Eye Serum 32ml for the dedicated periorbital treatment.
Pore size and texture refinement: Peach Sake Pore Serum 55ml for gentle sake-based exfoliation and refinement.
Blemish-prone skin and post-breakout marks: Yuzu Seed Blemish Serum 50ml for vitamin C-adjacent brightening and antimicrobial blemish support.
Eyelash conditioning: Salmon PDRN Eyelash Serum 7.6g for PDRN-supported lash care.
Post-exfoliation recovery in the Black Sugar system: Black Sugar Perfect First Serum Essential 120ml as the serum step after Black Sugar cleansing and masking.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Should I buy the SKINFOOD Gold Caviar IEX Serum 50ml or the Ex Serum 50ml?
The IEX Serum is the current generation and the better starting point for new customers. It reflects SKINFOOD's most recent refinement of the caviar-gold serum formula. The Ex Serum is the prior generation and remains available for users who started with the Ex line and prefer to maintain formula consistency. Both deliver caviar extract and gold at the serum step; the IEX is the current default choice.
Does the SKINFOOD Gold Caviar Collagen Plus Serum 40ml address fine lines?
Yes. The Collagen Plus Serum combines caviar extract, gold, and collagen-boosting actives, all of which are associated with supporting skin firmness and reducing the visible appearance of fine lines over consistent use. Caviar's amino acids and fatty acids support barrier plumping; gold brightens skin tone; collagen ingredients target structural support. At 40ml applied once daily, a 1-2 month evaluation period is a reasonable timeframe to assess whether the formula visibly improves fine line appearance for your skin type.
Is the SKINFOOD Peach Sake Pore Serum 55ml safe for daily use?
Yes. The Peach Sake Pore Serum uses fermentation-derived organic acids for gentle exfoliation at a lower intensity than a dedicated AHA toner. It is formulated for daily use and does not carry the same photosensitivity risk as a high-concentration AHA product. For sensitive skin, do a patch test before daily use, as fermentation acids can occasionally cause mild tingling. For most normal-to-combination skin types, daily once-or-twice application is appropriate.
How long does it take for the SKINFOOD Yuzu Seed Blemish Serum 50ml to reduce post-blemish marks?
Post-blemish hyperpigmentation typically requires 4-8 weeks of consistent topical vitamin C-adjacent serum use to show visible reduction. The Yuzu Seed Blemish Serum provides gradual brightening through daily application. Applying it consistently at the serum step every morning over 4-8 weeks is the standard evaluation period. For faster results, pairing it with a brightening toner (such as the Pink Grapefruit AHA Toner) at alternating steps can reinforce the brightening effect across multiple routine layers.
How do I use the SKINFOOD Salmon PDRN Eyelash Serum 7.6g?
Apply a thin line of the Salmon PDRN Eyelash Serum along the upper lash line before bed using the applicator brush, similar to how an eyeliner is applied. The formula absorbs into the lash follicle area overnight. Results from PDRN lash serums are typically visible after 4-6 weeks of consistent nightly application. Avoid applying the serum to the eyeball; if contact occurs, rinse immediately with water.
Why is the SKINFOOD Black Sugar Perfect First Serum Essential 120ml so much larger than other serums?
The Black Sugar Perfect First Serum is designed for generous daily application across the entire face immediately after the Black Sugar exfoliation steps. Standard 30-50ml serums are concentrated treatments applied in small drops; the First Serum is a lighter-concentration post-exfoliation recovery product used in a larger amount to cover the full face efficiently. At 120ml it provides approximately 60-90 applications when applied generously after the Black Sugar Mask or Scrub Foam sessions.
How do I apply the SKINFOOD Gold Caviar IEX Lifting Eye Serum 32ml?
Apply 1-2 drops of the Gold Caviar IEX Lifting Eye Serum to the ring finger and tap gently around the orbital bone, including the under-eye and the outer corner. The ring finger provides the lightest pressure, avoiding pulling on the thin skin around the eye. Apply before the eye cream step (which seals the serum in). Use morning and evening for best results.
Does the SKINFOOD Peach Sake Pore Serum 55ml pair well with the Acorn Pore Peptide Cream 70ml?
Yes. The Peach Sake Pore Serum addresses texture refinement through sake fermentation enzymes at the serum step, while the Acorn Pore Peptide Cream delivers astringent tannins for pore tightening and structural peptides at the moisturizer step. The two products target pore improvement through different mechanisms and in different routine layers, making them a complementary pairing for a dedicated daily pore-refining routine.
Can I use the SKINFOOD Yuzu Seed Blemish Serum 50ml on an active blemish?
Yes. The yuzu seed extract provides mild antimicrobial properties alongside brightening effects. Applying the serum on or around an active blemish supports both the immediate breakout and the post-blemish mark that follows. Apply as the full-face serum step rather than as a spot treatment only; the brightening effect is most consistent with full-face application. If the blemish is inflamed or cystic, consult a dermatologist for targeted treatment in addition to the serum.
Are SKINFOOD serums on skinsli.com genuine Korean imports?
Yes. All SKINFOOD serums are manufactured in South Korea and imported directly. Multiple listings for the same product with minor spelling variations (such as the Gold Caviar Collagen Plus Serum appearing under slightly different listing titles) are catalog transliteration artifacts. SKINFOOD has limited US retail distribution, making specialty Korean beauty importers like skinsli.com the primary channel for confirmed-authentic serums in the US.