I usually don’t write entire posts focused on a single brand. My approach to skincare is ingredient-driven and unbiased, and I recommend products based on formulation quality and what I would personally trust on my own skin. That said, I’m human too, and just like you, I have a few brands I naturally gravitate toward because they consistently do things right. Round Lab is one of them.

Lately, I’ve been seeing Round Lab everywhere on social media, especially their serums. While the popularity makes sense, many posts don’t clearly explain how different these formulas actually are. Several of their serums may look similar at first glance, but they serve very different purposes. In this article, I want to help you see those differences clearly so you can choose what truly supports your skin type and concerns.

In This Blog:

About Round Lab and Their Product Lines

Hydration-Focused Serums

Barrier Repair Serums

Calming Serums

Brightening vs. Firming Serums

About Round Lab and Their Product Lines

Round Lab is a Korean skincare brand known for gentle, well-balanced formulas inspired by natural Korean ingredients and regions. Most of their lines include a cleanser, toner, serum, and moisturizer, and some also offer sunscreens. Each line is designed to target a specific skin need:

1025 Dokdo focuses on mineral-rich hydration and strengthening the skin barrier
Birch Tree delivers lightweight yet deep hydration for dehydrated and sensitive skin
Mugwort is designed to calm redness, irritation, and reactive skin
Black Soybean targets nourishment and barrier repair for dry or aging skin
Pine Calming supports soothing and balancing acne-prone or inflamed skin
Soybean Panthenol focuses on gentle barrier repair and daily soothing
Camellia Collagen is formulated to support firmness, elasticity, and skin vitality
Vita Niacinamide targets brightening, uneven tone, and post-blemish marks

In this guide, we’ll focus specifically on Round Lab’s serums and break down what each one does best, who it’s for, and how to choose the right option for your skin.

Hydration-Focused Serums

1025 Dokdo Ampoule

Main Function:
Hydration + barrier strengthening
Hyaluronic acid, sea water minerals, panthenol, and ceramide NP hydrate the skin while supporting barrier health in a minimal, gentle way.

Best For Skin Type:

All skin types – universally well-tolerated
Oily-dehydrated – hydrates without heaviness
Sensitive – very low irritation risk

Best For Concerns:

Dehydration – restores moisture
Tightness after cleansing – soothes immediately
Need for a simple hydration layer – no unnecessary actives

Notes:
This is one of the safest and most minimalist serums in the range. Ideal if you want hydration without targeting specific concerns.

Birch Moisturizing Serum

Main Function:
Deep hydration + barrier soothing
This serum is built around humectants like glycerin and multiple forms of hyaluronic acid, supported by birch sap and beta-glucan to keep moisture inside the skin while reducing sensitivity and discomfort.

Best For Skin Type:

Normal – maintains hydration balance without heaviness
Dry – helps relieve tightness and moisture loss
Dehydrated oily – hydrates without clogging pores
Sensitive – gentle enough for easily reactive skin

Best For Concerns:

Tightness and dehydration – restores water content and comfort
Compromised barrier – supports barrier recovery through hydration
Redness and mild irritation – calming ingredients help reduce reactivity
Lightweight hydration before heavier layers – layers well under creams

Notes:
This is a very gentle, low-risk serum with no aggressive actives. It doesn’t target acne, pigmentation, or wrinkles directly, but it creates a well-hydrated, calm base that helps the rest of your routine work better.

How to Choose

Choose Birch if your skin feels dry, tight, or easily irritated.
Choose Dokdo if your skin is oily, combination, or prefers minimal, weightless hydration.

Barrier Repair Serums

Soybean Nourishing Serum

Main Function:
Intense barrier repair + nourishment
A rich blend of ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids, fermented soy, and vitamins works together to rebuild and reinforce a weakened skin barrier.

Best For Skin Type:

Dry – replenishes lost lipids
Very dry – provides long-lasting nourishment
Aging – supports skin that has lost resilience
Sensitive, barrier-damaged – ideal when the barrier is compromised

Best For Concerns:

Barrier repair – especially helpful for eczema-prone or stressed skin
Rough texture from dehydration – smooths and softens the skin
Fine lines due to dryness – plumps skin through nourishment
Recovery after retinoids or over-exfoliation – restores comfort

Notes:
One of the richest serums in the Round Lab range, this formula behaves almost like a light cream. It’s excellent for winter, barrier damage, and chronic dryness, but it may feel too heavy for oily or acne-prone skin.

Soybean Panthenol Ampoule

Main Function:
Barrier repair + panthenol soothing
Panthenol plays a central role in calming irritation, supported by ceramides, cholesterol, and soybean extract for barrier strengthening.

Best For Skin Type:

Dry – supports moisture retention
Very dry – calms tightness
Sensitive – reduces irritation
Barrier-damaged – supports repair

Best For Concerns:

Redness from dryness – soothing and calming
Barrier damage from actives – ideal post-retinoid
Flaky or tight skin – improves comfort
Daily barrier maintenance – gentle enough for regular use

Notes:
This serum has a similar purpose to the Soybean Nourishing Serum but feels lighter and more soothing. It’s better suited for daily use or mild barrier stress.

How to Choose

Choose Soybean Nourishing if your skin is very dry or significantly barrier-damaged.
Choose Soybean Panthenol if you want calming repair without richness.

Calming Serums

Mugwort Calming Serum

Main Function:
Anti-inflammatory soothing
High levels of mugwort, supported by panthenol and centella components, focus on calming inflammation and reducing visible redness.

Best For Skin Type:

Sensitive – ideal for reactive or easily irritated skin
Normal to oily – lightweight and non-greasy
Acne-prone irritated skin – calms breakouts without clogging

Best For Concerns:

Redness and inflammation – helps soothe stressed skin
Irritated acne skin – calms without treating oilyness directly
Rosacea-like sensitivity – supports redness-prone skin
Heat sensitivity or flushing – cooling and calming effect

Notes:
This serum focuses on calming rather than hydration. Dry skin may need an additional hydrating layer, but it’s an excellent option for skin reacting to actives or environmental stress.

Pine Calming Cica Ampoule

Main Function:
Strong anti-inflammatory + oil-balancing soothing
Pine leaf extract and centella components calm inflammation, while a very small amount of LHA gently supports congested skin.

Best For Skin Type:

Oily – balances without stripping
Combination – calms while controlling oil
Acne-prone sensitive – soothes without harsh exfoliation

Best For Concerns:

Red, inflamed acne – reduces visible inflammation
Sensitive oily skin – calming without heaviness
Clogged pores and roughness – very mild exfoliation
Skin that can’t tolerate BHA – gentler alternative

Notes:
Compared to Mugwort, this serum is more purifying and oil-focused. It’s ideal for acne-prone skin that still needs calming support.

How to Choose

Choose Pine Calming Cica if your sensitivity comes with breakouts or oiliness.
Choose Mugwort if your skin is reactive, red, or easily irritated.

Brightening vs. Firming Serums

Vita Niacinamide Dark Spot Serum

Main Function:
Brightening + pigmentation control
With 5% niacinamide, tranexamic acid, sea buckthorn, glutathione, and a vitamin C derivative, this serum targets uneven tone through multiple pathways.

Best For Skin Type:

All skin types – suitable even for sensitive skin since it contains no strong actives

Best For Concerns:

Post-acne dark spots – helps fade discoloration over time
General dullness – improves overall brightness
Uneven skin tone – supports a more even complexion
Melasma support – tranexamic acid plays a key role
Red blotchiness – niacinamide helps calm redness

Notes:
This is the most actives-focused serum in the line, yet it remains gentle and well-balanced. A great option if you want visible tone improvement without harsh exfoliation.

Camellia Deep Collagen Firming Ampoule

Main Function:
Firming + elasticity support
Camellia extract, collagen fragments, adenosine, and a low-dose retinoid (HPR or Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, often called granactive retinoid) derivative work together to support skin firmness and vitality.

Best For Skin Type:

Normal to dry – benefits from added nourishment
Aging skin – supports elasticity
Dehydrated skin with early lines – improves plumpness

Best For Concerns:

Loss of firmness – supports structural support
Fine lines – improves skin texture over time
Dull, tired-looking skin – adds vitality and glow
Gentle retinoid introduction – HPR is mild and beginner-friendly

Notes:
The retinoid here is very low-dose, so this is not a strong anti-aging treatment. Instead, it’s a supportive firming and hydrating ampoule that works well for beginners or sensitive skin.

How to Choose

Choose Vita Niacinamide if your main concern is tone, spots, or dullness.
Choose Camellia Collagen if your focus is firmness and elasticity.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the real differences between serums makes choosing skincare much easier. Round Lab offers gentle, well-formulated options for many skin types, and I hope this guide helped you identify which one truly suits your skin. If you enjoy this kind of brand-focused, ingredient-based breakdown, I’m planning similar articles on brands like SKIN1004 and Anua, which also offer wide serum ranges worth exploring.

You can find more skincare education, honest product recommendations, and in-depth ingredient guides throughout the blog, along with eBooks and the option to get a personalized skincare routine tailored to your skin’s needs.