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[ DemythSkin Verdict ]

K-Secret

K-Secret SEOUL 1988 Cream: Retinal Liposome 1% + Fermented Rice

Name: K-Secret SEOUL 1988 Cream: Retinal Liposome 1% + Fermented Rice
Brand: K-Secret

MoisturizerAnti-Aging

Efficacy

Strong

4.1 / 5.0

Safety

Safe

4.4 / 5.0

System Verdict

This is a legitimately high-powered retinal night cream with a solid barrier-support base, but the retinal sits low in the list and the formula is crowded with low-impact ferments and botanicals that dilute its punch. The efficacy score leans on evidence-backed actives: retinal (a strong retinoid), niacinamide in the upper INCI zone supporting brightening and barrier function, plus adenosine, a stable vitamin C derivative, bakuchiol, and peptides as secondary anti-aging support; however, retinal appears quite far down the list, so the marketed “1% liposome” is very likely an encapsulated complex rather than 1% free retinal, meaning the true active concentration is lower and closer to a realistic, skin-tolerable range. Barrier lipids (cholesterol, sterols, hydrogenated lecithin) and multiple humectants provide a competent moisturizing chassis, but many ferments and root extracts are more marketing than proven impact, so they cannot justify a top-tier score. Safety is good overall (no denatured alcohol, no fragrance, and a mainly gentle base), but the potent retinoid, vitamin C derivative, and multiple actives still warrant respect for irritation potential, so it does not reach a perfect safety score.

Active Ingredients Detected

S Tier: Gold StandardsHigh Clinical Proof | Skin-Transformative

Retinal

A Tier: Good BasicsProven Results

GlycerinNiacinamideLactobacillus/Panax Ginseng Root Ferment FiltrateLactobacillus/Rice FermentLactobacillus/soybean Ferment ExtractMacadamia Ternifolia Seed OilSaccharomyces/Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Ferment FiltrateSaccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment FiltrateAllantoinAdenosineCholesterolTocopherol3-o-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid

B Tier: Supporting IngredientsPromising Ingredients

Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate CopolymerPolyisobuteneGlyceryl Acrylate/acrylic Acid CopolymerCaprylyl/Capryl GlucosideBrassica Campestris (Rapeseed) SterolsPhytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl GlutamateAluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide StearatePotassium Cetyl PhosphatePentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamateBakuchiolSH-Oligopeptide-2SH-Polypeptide-1Tips Produkt tylko do u

C Tier: Marketing IdolsHype | Limited or Weak Data

Arctium Lappa Root ExtractCnidium Officinale Root ExtractDioscorea Japonica Root ExtractPaeonia Suffruticosa Root ExtractRehmannia Chinensis Root ExtractSH-Oligopeptide-1

What Each Ingredient Does

Aqua: Primary solvent base
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate: Emollient, skin-softening ester
Glycerin: Humectant, draws water into skin
Butylene Glycol: Humectant and solvent
1,2-hexanediol: Solvent and preservative booster
Niacinamide: Multifunctional brightening agent
Propanediol: Solvent and humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer: Gel-forming thickener
Carbomer: Viscosity control gel thickener
Tromethamine: pH adjuster and neutralizer
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer: Stabilizing polymer thickener
Polyisobutene: Emollient and texture enhancer
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride: Lightweight emollient and solvent
Lactobacillus/Panax Ginseng Root Ferment Filtrate: Fermented botanical extract
Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment: Fermented rice-derived extract
Lactobacillus/soybean Ferment Extract: Fermented soybean-derived extract
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil: Emollient plant oil
Saccharomyces/Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Ferment Filtrate: Fermented grain extract
Saccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate: Fermented plant extract
Xanthan Gum: Natural polysaccharide thickener
Hydrogenated Lecithin: Emulsifier and delivery aid
Disodium EDTA: Chelator for formula stability
Ethylhexylglycerin: Preservative booster and humectant
Allantoin: Soothing and skin-conditioning agent

Full Ingredient List (INCI)

Aqua, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-hexanediol, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyisobutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lactobacillus/Panax Ginseng Root Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment, Lactobacillus/soybean Ferment Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Saccharomyces/Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Caprylyl Glycol, Adenosine, Glyceryl Acrylate/acrylic Acid Copolymer, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Cholesterol, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Sorbitan Oleate, Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) Sterols, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Retinal, Silica, Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Tocopherol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Cnidium Officinale Root Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, 3-o-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Bakuchiol, SH-Oligopeptide-1, SH-Oligopeptide-2, SH-Polypeptide-1. Tips Produkt tylko do u

Frequently Asked

Is K-Secret SEOUL 1988 Cream: Retinal Liposome 1% + Fermented Rice worth it?

K-Secret SEOUL 1988 Cream: Retinal Liposome 1% + Fermented Rice scores 4.1 out of 5.0 for efficacy (Strong) and 4.4 out of 5.0 for safety (Safe) on DemythSkin's independent ingredient analysis. This is a legitimately high-powered retinal night cream with a solid barrier-support base, but the retinal sits low in the list and the formula is crowded with low-impact ferments and botanicals that dilute its punch. Th

What are the key active ingredients in K-Secret SEOUL 1988 Cream: Retinal Liposome 1% + Fermented Rice?

K-Secret SEOUL 1988 Cream: Retinal Liposome 1% + Fermented Rice contains these gold-standard actives with strong clinical evidence: Retinal.

Does K-Secret SEOUL 1988 Cream: Retinal Liposome 1% + Fermented Rice contain fragrance or known irritants?

DemythSkin's analysis found no flagged irritants in K-Secret SEOUL 1988 Cream: Retinal Liposome 1% + Fermented Rice. It scores 4.4 out of 5.0 for safety.

How is K-Secret SEOUL 1988 Cream: Retinal Liposome 1% + Fermented Rice scored?

DemythSkin grades every product on two independent axes: efficacy (whether the ingredients have clinical evidence of working) and safety (irritation and sensitisation risk). Ingredients are classified S through D against a database of over 3,000 compounds. No brand pays for a score.

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Analysis last updated: 2026-08-15. DemythSkin is an independent ingredient analyzer. Scores are computed by a deterministic rubric from published clinical evidence — no brand pays for a score. DemythSkin earns commission from affiliate links (Amazon Associates and others). Scores are computed before any commercial relationship — the link follows the verdict, never the other way around.