Papa Recipe Serum Review: Collagen, Retinol, HA, and Niacinamide

Last Updated on June 3, 2026

Papa Recipe is a Korean skincare brand built around one founding principle: safe, gentle ingredients for people with skin concerns. When they released four new serums targeting different skin issues, wrinkles, texture, dryness, and uneven tone, I tested all four. Here’s what I found on dry skin in my late 30s.

For the full Papa Recipe brand story and their noble rot ampoule and essence, read the complete Papa Recipe Noble Rot review.

Find out more about Papa Recipe’s new serums:

(This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.)

Who is Papa Recipe?

Papa Recipe was started in 2012 by a father who began researching healthy cosmetics and skincare for his daughter who had skin issues. He created an organic jojoba oil for his daughter and then began selling it to other parents who had similar skin concerns. Their brand is focused on creating skincare products that the whole family can use.

Papa Recipe is also a brand that is interested in being more sustainable and supportive of environmental campaigns. They call themselves and their avid fans the ‘skin Sherpas’ as Sherpas act as a guide into the mountainous Himalayans and Papa Recipe wants to be the guides into your skin and eco-friendly lifestyle.

Unboxing Reaction

One of the things I was most surprised by when I opened the boxes was how large these serum bottles are. These serums come in 5fl oz. bottles. They are big. Being good for 12 months means you’ll have plenty of time to work through the serum and enjoy it in every season of the year.

Collagen Peptide Serum Review

Type: Serum

Skin concern: Inelastic, wrinkled, dull skin

Key ingredients: Hydrolyzed collagen, 9 peptides (Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Copper Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-3, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Tripeptide-2), shea butter, macadamia oil, adenosine

When to use: After toner. Can be double layered on trouble areas.

My Thoughts: The texture of this serum is a silky, milky mix. There isn’t an aroma that I could detect with this one. It soaks right into the skin and left my skin quite plump after use. This product uses hydrolyzed collagen to penetrate the skin better. I definitely saw improvement in the lines and wrinkles in my face after using this serum.

I’m in my upper 30s and found this product gentle yet effective in moisturizing and wrinkle improvement. I’m not sure if it’s the collagen or the peptides, but the combination is a winner for me. I found it to be very hydrating and nourishing. I will definitely keep using this one.

Where To Buy: You can shop Papa Recipe on Olive Young.

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrolyzed Collagen Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Sodium Palmitoyl Sarcosinate, Adenosine, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Copper Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-3, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Tripeptide-2

Retinol Bakuchiol Serum Review

Type: Serum

Skin concern: Bumpy, lifeless, uneven texture

Key ingredients: Bakuchiol, retinol, 7 types of hyaluronic acid (hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate, sodium hyaluronate, hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, potassium hyaluronate, hydroxypropyltrimonium hyaluronate, sodium acetylated hyaluronate), Damask Rose Flower water, adenosine, tocopheryl acetate, oat extract. No parabens, silicones, or mineral oils.

This product uses more Bakuchiol, which is a natural alternative to retinol but functions the same, than retinol which helps to reduce skin irritation and makes it suitable for daily use. This product uses no parabens, silicones, or mineral oils.

As a precaution, they say:

Please don’t use it with skin whitening products as it can irritate the skin.
Please don’t use it with peeling products such as BHA and AHA as it can irritate the skin.
Please don’t use it if you are pregnant as retinol is contained.
Temporary exfoliation of dead skin cells may occur during initial use, but it is an adaptation period due to activation of skin turnover rate hence, please do not remove dead skin cells with force.
If your skin is highly sensitive, please test the product on your neck or behind your ears.
Please apply sunscreen as the skin can be irritated by UV.

When to use: After toner. Can be double layered on trouble areas.

My Thoughts: The serum is milky and just slightly runny and is very gentle on the skin. There is a slight aroma with this, something a bit minty. It’s not overpowering though. There’s a nice subtle glow after use. I found that this serum seemed to soften my skin texture which I found very appealing. It was hydrating and moisturizing which is something I usually need in my skincare products especially.

My skin was definitely more plump. This is a great long term addition to my skincare regime I think. Also, I think it’s worth noting that if you’ve had issues with retinol products before, this has a lower concentration and is much gentler than other products I’ve tried with retinol so keep that in mind.

Where To Buy: You can shop Papa Recipe on Olive Young, or on Amazon.com

Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Bakuchiol, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Xanthan Gum, Tromethamine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Adenosine, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Disodium EDTA, Methyl Methacrylate Crossplymer, Retinol, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone, Cholesterol, Tocopheryl Acetate, BHT, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract, BHA, Avena Sativa (Oat) Meal Extract

Hyaluronic Acid Serum Review

Type: Serum

Skin concern: Dry, fatigued, dehydrated skin

Key ingredients: 10 types of hyaluronic acid across low to high molecular weights (hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate, sodium hyaluronate, hydroxypropyltrimonium hyaluronate, sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, hyaluronic acid, potassium hyaluronate, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, sodium acetylated hyaluronate, check label for complete count), Damask Rose Flower water (vitamins A, C, K — helps minimize pores and balance oil and water)

When to use: After toner. Can be double layered on trouble areas.

My Thoughts: This is a milky white serum that spreads easily. It has a slight aroma but nothing too strong and I didn’t find it overwhelming in the least. It is quickly absorbed into the skin. Hyaluronic acid products are usually great for my skin and this was no exception. Again, it is gentle so if you’ve found hyaluronic acid products too strong before, this is one you might try. I thought my skin was more hydrated after use and having dry skin, that’s always what I’m looking for.

Where To Buy: You can shop Papa Recipe on Olive Young, or on Amazon.com.

Ingredients: Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Water, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate

Niacinamide Zinc Serum Review

Type: Serum

Skin concern: Uneven skin tone, pigmentation, blemishes

Key ingredients: Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), limits melanin production and lightens skin tone, zinc PCA, reduces skin troubles and moisturizes, bisabolol, prevents melanin synthesis and adds radiance. Made from plant-based hypoallergenic ingredients and suitable for sensitive skin.

When to use: After toner. Can be double layered on trouble areas.

My Thoughts: The texture of this serum is clear and a bit runny. It absorbs quickly into the skin. This does have a slight aroma that seems to be a cross between mint and plastic. I couldn’t quite tell what it was. I did find that my skin had a more even tone after use. Being in my late 30s with some darker areas here and there from sun exposure, I think my skin definitely looked healthier after using this serum. I applied a double layer on my trouble areas and found that to be quite effective for my skin.

Where To Buy: You can shop Papa Recipe on Olive Young, or on Amazon.com.

Ingredients: Water, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Bisabolol, Zinc PCA, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum

Four serums, four skin concerns, all gently formulated for sensitive skin. For dry skin in the late 30s, the collagen peptide and hyaluronic acid serums stood out most, but all four delivered on their specific promises.

Did you like this post? Pin iT!