K-Secret

K-Secret Seoul 1988 Serum: Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng (30ml)

  • Regular price £21.99
KSECRET SEOUL 1988 Serum is an evening retinal serum, with black ginseng root extract, niacinamide, bakuchiol, a vitamin C derivative and three peptides alongside. It helps smooth the look of fine lines and rough texture and even out tone over time, for firmer-looking, more radiant skin. What it doesRetinal, a form of vitamin A, encourages smoother-looking skin. The "2%" belongs to KSECRET's "Retinal Liposome 2%" name for its retinal ingredient, not to pure retinal: KSECRET do not state how much retinal the serum contains, so please do not read it as a 2% retinal. Niacinamide and 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid help even the look of tone, while black ginseng, bakuchiol and peptides are supporting additions rather than the main reason to choose it. Why we chose itWe chose it as an evening retinal serum first, with niacinamide and a vitamin C derivative for a more even-looking tone, and KSECRET position it especially for mature skin. It pairs well with a simple hydrating layer such as iUNIK Beta-Glucan Power Moisture Serum. Best forThe look of fine lines and wrinklesRough or uneven textureDull, uneven-looking toneMature skinAn evening retinal stepNot ideal ifYou are pregnant or breastfeeding: it contains retinal, so ask your doctor or pharmacist firstYou have a nut allergy: it contains macadamia seed oilYou already use another retinoid: do not layer two, including Purito TXA 6% + Niacinamide 10% + Retinal SerumKey ingredientsRetinal (in a liposome ingredient; percentage not stated): texture and the look of fine lines over timeBlack ginseng root extract (6,329.8 ppm on our box, about 0.63%): antioxidant careNiacinamide and 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid: a more even-looking toneBakuchiol and three peptides: support the look of firmnessCholesterol and plant sterols: barrier comfortTexture and finishA smooth serum that absorbs quickly. Where it goes in your routineEvenings, on completely dry skin after toner, before moisturiser. Use a small amount for face and neck, avoiding eyes and lips. Start twice a week and increase only while skin stays comfortable. Wear SPF 30 or higher every morning. What to expectSome dryness is possible at first; if so, use it less often. Fine lines, texture and tone change gradually, with steady use and daily sunscreen. Quick facts: 30 ml · Retinal liposome serum · Contains macadamia oil · PM, SPF by day · KSECRET, Korean brand
Read more
  • Retinal serum with ginseng and niacinamide
  • Smooths the look of fine lines and texture
  • Bakuchiol, vitamin C derivative and peptides
  • Evening use; start slowly, SPF daily
Helps with
Fine linesTextureUneven toneLoss of firmnessDullness

In stock. Order by 1pm Monday to Friday for same-day dispatch

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  • Hand-picked by our founder

What customers say

5.0 ★ · 1 review
  • Love this serum light weight but effective, my skin feels firmer and glowing

    Aida

KSECRET SEOUL 1988 Serum is an evening retinal serum, with black ginseng root extract, niacinamide, bakuchiol, a vitamin C derivative and three peptides alongside. It helps smooth the look of fine lines and rough texture and even out tone over time, for firmer-looking, more radiant skin.

What it does

Retinal, a form of vitamin A, encourages smoother-looking skin. The "2%" belongs to KSECRET's "Retinal Liposome 2%" name for its retinal ingredient, not to pure retinal: KSECRET do not state how much retinal the serum contains, so please do not read it as a 2% retinal. Niacinamide and 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid help even the look of tone, while black ginseng, bakuchiol and peptides are supporting additions rather than the main reason to choose it.

Why we chose it

We chose it as an evening retinal serum first, with niacinamide and a vitamin C derivative for a more even-looking tone, and KSECRET position it especially for mature skin. It pairs well with a simple hydrating layer such as iUNIK Beta-Glucan Power Moisture Serum.

Best for

  • The look of fine lines and wrinkles
  • Rough or uneven texture
  • Dull, uneven-looking tone
  • Mature skin
  • An evening retinal step

Not ideal if

  • You are pregnant or breastfeeding: it contains retinal, so ask your doctor or pharmacist first
  • You have a nut allergy: it contains macadamia seed oil
  • You already use another retinoid: do not layer two, including Purito TXA 6% + Niacinamide 10% + Retinal Serum

Key ingredients

  • Retinal (in a liposome ingredient; percentage not stated): texture and the look of fine lines over time
  • Black ginseng root extract (6,329.8 ppm on our box, about 0.63%): antioxidant care
  • Niacinamide and 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid: a more even-looking tone
  • Bakuchiol and three peptides: support the look of firmness
  • Cholesterol and plant sterols: barrier comfort

Texture and finish

A smooth serum that absorbs quickly.

Where it goes in your routine

Evenings, on completely dry skin after toner, before moisturiser. Use a small amount for face and neck, avoiding eyes and lips. Start twice a week and increase only while skin stays comfortable. Wear SPF 30 or higher every morning.

What to expect

Some dryness is possible at first; if so, use it less often. Fine lines, texture and tone change gradually, with steady use and daily sunscreen.

Quick facts: 30 ml · Retinal liposome serum · Contains macadamia oil · PM, SPF by day · KSECRET, Korean brand

  • Evenings only, on completely dry skin after toner, before moisturiser.
  • Use a small amount for face and neck, avoiding the eyes and lips.
  • Start twice a week, and increase only while your skin stays comfortable. If it feels dry or flaky, go back to fewer evenings.
  • Do not layer it with another retinoid, and use exfoliating acids on different evenings.
  • Wear SPF 30 or higher every morning.
  • Not recommended in pregnancy or breastfeeding without advice from a doctor or pharmacist.

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

Good to know

  • Contains retinal (vitamin A): introduce slowly and wear SPF daily
  • Not recommended in pregnancy or breastfeeding without medical advice
  • Contains macadamia seed oil (nut)
  • No fragrance or exfoliating acids in the listed ingredients

Is this a 2% retinal serum?

No. "Retinal Liposome 2%" is part of KSECRET's product name for its retinal ingredient. KSECRET do not state how much retinal the serum itself contains, so please do not read it as 2% retinal. It does contain retinal, so treat it as a retinoid and introduce it slowly.

I'm new to retinoids. Can I start with this?

Yes, if you go slowly: twice a week to begin with, increasing only while your skin stays comfortable. Some dryness while your skin adjusts is possible; if it happens, use it less often.

Can I use it while pregnant or breastfeeding?

It contains retinal, a form of vitamin A, so we don't recommend it without advice from your doctor or pharmacist.

Is it suitable for sensitive skin?

We don't list it for sensitive skin because it contains retinal. If your skin is sensitive but already tolerates retinoids, start on fewer evenings and patch test first.

Can I use it with Purito TXA 6% + Niacinamide 10% + Retinal Serum or exfoliating acids?

Not together. The Purito serum also contains retinal, so choose one retinoid for your routine. Keep exfoliating acids to different evenings, and wear sunscreen every morning.

Does it contain nut oil?

Yes, it contains macadamia seed oil. If you have a nut allergy, choose another serum.

UK Delivery

Orders under £25
Shipping: £2.99
Service: Royal Mail Tracked 48

Orders £25 and over
Shipping: FREE
Service: Royal Mail Tracked 24

Dispatch & Delivery Times

  • Orders placed before 1pm Monday to Friday are dispatched the same working day.
  • Orders placed after 1:00 PM are dispatched the next working day.
  • Royal Mail Tracked 48 typically delivers within 2 working days.
  • Royal Mail Tracked 24 aims for next working day delivery.

So for orders £25 and over placed before 1pm on a working day:

Order before 1pm → dispatched same day → Royal Mail Tracked 24 aims to deliver the next working day.

Please note that delivery times are estimates and may occasionally vary during busy periods, bank holidays or due to Royal Mail delays.

Seoul 1988 Serum: Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng (30ml)

£21.99