KSecret

KSECRET is a Korean skincare company founded in 2020. In 2024 it launched SEOUL 1988, the line that has made the brand known worldwide. The name nods to Seoul in the late 1980s, and the range combines modern actives with ingredients long used in Korean beauty.

The signature technology is retinal in liposome form. Retinal is a fast-acting form of vitamin A, and encapsulating it in liposomes is designed to deliver it more gradually so it feels gentler on the skin. Each product pairs retinal with a Korean ingredient: black ginseng in the 2% serum, fermented bean in the 4% eye cream, and fermented rice in the 1% cream.

Beyond retinal, the line includes a 97% snail mucin and rice essence for hydration, a 15% niacinamide and yuja glow serum, and a pine tree and ceramide sunscreen for daily protection.

For shoppers, SEOUL 1988 is an approachable way into retinal. Start with the cream or serum two or three nights a week, build up slowly, use the snail essence for hydration, and apply sunscreen every morning. Avoid mixing retinal with strong acids on the same night. The eye cream is the strongest step, so introduce it last and use only a small amount. If your skin feels dry or tight, space out retinal nights and lean on the essence.