K-Secret SEOUL 1988 Serum : Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng — Efficacy 4.2/5.0, Safety 4.4/5.0 | DemythSkin
++++
[ DemythSkin Verdict ]
K-Secret SEOUL 1988 Serum : Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng
K-Secret

K-Secret SEOUL 1988 Serum : Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng

SerumAnti-Aging
Efficacy
Strong
4.2 / 5.0
Safety
Safe
4.4 / 5.0
System Verdict
This is a legitimately potent retinal treatment serum, not just marketing fluff. The formula centers on encapsulated retinal in a supportive lipid/lecithin system, paired with niacinamide, a stabilized vitamin C derivative, bakuchiol and peptides, giving real anti-aging and brightening potential backed by evidence rather than buzzwords; efficacy is held back only slightly by unknown exact retinal %, derivative-grade vitamin C, and the usual irritation risk inherent to high-powered retinoids.
Active Ingredients Detected
S Tier: Gold StandardsHigh Clinical Proof | Skin-Transformative
Retinal
A Tier: Good BasicsProven Results
GlycerinNiacinamideMacadamia Ternifolia Seed OilBetaineTocopherolHelianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed OilAdenosineCholesterol3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
B Tier: Supporting IngredientsPromising Ingredients
Methyl Gluceth-20Panax Ginseng Root ExtractBrassica Campestris (Rapeseed) SterolsPhytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl GlutamateAluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide StearatePotassium Cetyl PhosphatePentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamateBakuchiolSH-Oligopeptide-2SH-Polypeptide-1
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
Water
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant for hydration
Dipropylene Glycol
Solvent, texture enhancer
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Emollient, skin conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Solvent, secondary preservative
Niacinamide
Barrier support and brightening
Butylene Glycol
Humectant, penetration enhancer
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant, skin conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifier
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Antioxidant botanical extract
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Liposomal emulsifier, skin conditioning
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifier
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
Thickener, stabilizer
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient plant oil
Carbomer
Gelling agent
Tromethamine
pH adjuster
Betaine
Humectant, osmoprotectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant (vitamin E)
Ethylhexylglycerin
Preservative booster, humectant
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
Emollient plant oil
Adenosine
Soothing and anti-wrinkle agent
Disodium EDTA
Chelating agent
Cholesterol
Barrier-supporting lipid
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Emulsifier
Full Ingredient List (INCI)

Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sorbitan Stearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Betaine, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Cholesterol, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) Sterols, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Retinal, Silica, Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, 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.

Frequently Asked

Is K-Secret SEOUL 1988 Serum : Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng worth it?

K-Secret SEOUL 1988 Serum : Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng scores 4.2 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 potent retinal treatment serum, not just marketing fluff. The formula centers on encapsulated retinal in a supportive lipid/lecithin system, paired with niacinamide, a stabilized vitamin C derivati

What are the key active ingredients in K-Secret SEOUL 1988 Serum : Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng?

K-Secret SEOUL 1988 Serum : Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng contains these gold-standard actives with strong clinical evidence: Retinal.

Does K-Secret SEOUL 1988 Serum : Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng contain fragrance or known irritants?

DemythSkin's analysis found no flagged irritants in K-Secret SEOUL 1988 Serum : Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng. It scores 4.4 out of 5.0 for safety.

How is K-Secret SEOUL 1988 Serum : Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng 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.

Analyze on DemythSkin

Analysis last updated: 2026-08-03. DemythSkin is an independent ingredient analyzer. Scores are computed by a deterministic rubric from published clinical evidence — no brand pays for a score.