K-Secret Seoul 1988 Sun: Pine Tree + Ceramide — Efficacy 4.7/5.0, Safety 4.4/5.0 | DemythSkin
++++
[ DemythSkin Verdict ]
K-Secret Seoul 1988 Sun: Pine Tree + Ceramide

K-Secret Seoul 1988 Sun: Pine Tree + Ceramide

SunscreenSun Protection
Efficacy
Exceptional
4.7 / 5.0
Safety
Safe
4.4 / 5.0
System Verdict
This is a seriously sophisticated, high-efficacy daily sunscreen that earns its marketing hype and then some. UV filters are all S Tier modern filters (UVA: Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone; UVB/UVA-II: Ethylhexyl Triazone; particulate broad-spectrum: Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol), positioned high in the INCI for robust SPF50+ PA++++ coverage with excellent photostability. The base is elegantly emollient but non-greasy (Dibutyl Adipate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, silicones) and packed with A Tier support actives: meaningful niacinamide near the top for brightening/pigment control, ceramide NP (even at 100 ppm) plus sunflower unsaponifiables for barrier support, and a dense peptide cocktail (Nonapeptide-1, copper tripeptide and multiple palmitoyl peptides) that is formula-appropriate for anti-aging in a daily-use product. I am holding back from a near-perfect score only because peptide and ceramide levels are modest and we do not have exact active percentages, but within sunscreens this is still S Tier overall efficacy.
Active Ingredients Detected
S Tier: Gold StandardsHigh Clinical Proof | Skin-Transformative
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl BenzoateEthylhexyl TriazoneMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
A Tier: Good BasicsProven Results
WaterNiacinamideGlycerinAdenosineHelianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil UnsaponifiablesTocopherolCeramide NP
B Tier: Supporting IngredientsPromising Ingredients
PropanediolDibutyl AdipateButyloctyl SalicylatePolymethylsilsesquioxaneCoco-Caprylate/CaprateCaprylyl MethiconeDiethylhexyl Butamido TriazoneButylene Glycol1,2-HexanediolPentylene GlycolBehenyl AlcoholPoly C10-30 Alkyl AcrylatePolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose DistearateOctyldodecanolDecyl GlucosideTromethamineCarbomerAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerSodium Stearoyl GlutamatePolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6Xanthan GumGlyceryl CaprylateCaprylyl GlycolNonapeptide-1Acetyl Hexapeptide-8Copper Tripeptide-1Tripeptide-1Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4Hexapeptide-9
C Tier: Marketing IdolsHype | Limited or Weak Data
Pinus Sylvestris Bud ExtractCardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine ExtractHedychium Coronarium Root Extract
D Tier: Potential IrritantsBe Cautious
Echium Plantagineum Seed OilEthylhexylglycerin
Analyze on DemythSkin →

DemythSkin is an independent ingredient analyzer. Scores are computed by a deterministic rubric from published clinical evidence — no brand pays for a score.