K-SECRET Brand Review: SEOUL 1988 Skincare and Retinal Care

K-SECRET is a Korean skincare brand whose SEOUL 1988 range draws on Seoul’s cultural identity and Korean ingredients. Its official brand story describes an approach combining traditional ingredients with modern skincare formulation. Ginseng, rice, pine and yuja appear across products with different routine roles.

Korean Beauty Mart currently lists 18 K-SECRET options, including cleansers, essences, serums, moisturisers, sunscreen and other targeted-care formats.

Effectiveness and Value

K-SECRET offers several ways to approach a routine. The brand positions its Retinal Liposome serum around the appearance of skin texture and fine lines, Snail Mucin Essence around hydration, and Niacinamide Capsule Cream around moisturising and a more even-looking complexion. The five featured products at KBM range from ৳1,500 to ৳1,900. Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng Serum is listed at ৳1,700 for 30ml, equivalent to approximately ৳56.67 per ml. Choose according to the step you need, the formula and its directions. Product percentages need to be read alongside the complete ingredient or complex name.

Ingredient and Formula Focus

• Cleansing Foam — Pine Cica 1% + Probiotics: The published formula includes pine leaf extract, centella, madecassoside, Bifida Ferment Lysate and salicylic acid. It provides a rinse-off cleansing step.
• Essence — Snail Mucin 97% + Rice: The brand highlights 97% snail secretion filtrate alongside rice water, rice extract and rice ferment filtrate. The declaration also includes panthenol, allantoin and sodium hyaluronate.
• Serum — Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng: Combines the named retinal-liposome complex with ginseng extract, niacinamide and bakuchiol in the published formula. Follow its specific introduction schedule.
• Capsule Cream — Niacinamide 5% + Yuja: A gel-and-capsule moisturiser featuring 5% niacinamide, sea-buckthorn water, squalane and hyaluronic acid forms. Its declaration also includes yuja fruit oil and limonene.
• Sun — Pine Tree + Ceramide: The manufacturer’s published product data identifies SPF50+ PA++++, with ingredients including pine bud extract, Ceramide NP, niacinamide and UV filters.

Check the current pack for the complete declaration, particularly when comparing versions or avoiding specific ingredients.

Packaging and Presentation

K-SECRET’s current official imagery shows ivory packaging with burgundy lettering and prominent vertical SEOUL 1988 branding. The 30ml retinal serum and 100ml snail essence are pictured with white dispensing pumps. The consistent design gives the range a clear identity, while the full product name helps distinguish formulas. The brand also publishes packaging-renewal notices, so label details may vary between batches.

Featured K-SECRET Products at Korean Beauty Mart

These five selected products were listed on 26 October 2026. Prices and availability may change.

SEOUL 1988 product	Listed size	Listed price	Main role
Cleansing Foam: Pine Cica 1% + Probiotics	150ml	৳1,500	Rinse-off facial cleansing.
Essence: Snail Mucin 97% + Rice	100ml	৳1,900	Hydrating and conditioning layer.
Serum: Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng	30ml	৳1,700	Retinal care for an evening routine.
Capsule Cream: Niacinamide 5% + Yuja	50ml	৳1,900	Moisturising step with a dual texture.
Sun: Pine Tree + Ceramide	50ml	৳1,700	Daytime sun protection.

All five had Add to cart options in the KBM K-SECRET catalogue when checked.

How to Use K-SECRET Skincare

Step	Directions
Cleanse	Work Cleansing Foam into a lather with wet hands, massage gently over the face and rinse with lukewarm water.
Add hydration	Apply Snail Mucin Essence after cleansing and toner, then gently pat until absorbed.
Evening retinal step	On your planned retinal evenings, apply a small amount of the serum after cleansing and toning, then follow with moisturiser.
Moisturise	Apply Capsule Cream after serum and distribute gently over the face and neck.
Morning sunscreen	Apply Sun: Pine Tree + Ceramide generously as the final morning skincare step, following the current pack’s directions.

The brand recommends introducing the retinal serum gradually; its starting schedule is explained below. For outdoor sunscreen use, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends reapplication every two hours and after swimming or sweating. This is general sunscreen guidance.

 Pros &  Cons

Pros	Cons
Korean ingredient themes appear across several routine steps.	A shared range name does not mean every product has the same formula.
Cleansers, hydrating products, moisturisers and sunscreen offer different options.	A complete range may include more steps than your routine needs.
Full product names identify key ingredients and complexes.	Liposome and blend percentages need careful interpretation.
The 100ml snail essence provides a larger hydrating format.	Snail secretion filtrate is animal-derived and unsuitable for a vegan ingredient preference.
The retinal serum has a published introduction schedule.	It requires a gradual start instead of immediate unrestricted use.
Capsule Cream offers a distinctive gel-and-capsule texture.	Its citrus oil and limonene may not suit every ingredient preference.

Why Choose K-SECRET?

Consider K-SECRET if you enjoy Korean ingredient themes and want to compare products by their routine role. Its SEOUL 1988 range offers hydrating care, moisturisers, cleansing and a separately introduced retinal step. Explore K-SECRET at Korean Beauty Mart to compare current products, sizes, prices and packaging.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is K-SECRET a Korean skincare brand?

Yes. K-SECRET’s official Korean brand story describes skincare inspired by Seoul and Korean ingredients, combined with modern formulation.

2. Does “Retinal Liposome 2%” mean 2% pure retinal?

The label names a retinal-liposome complex. It should not be read as a declaration of 2% pure retinal. Compare complete product descriptions and ingredient information when assessing different formulas.

3. How should I start the K-SECRET retinal serum?

The brand recommends an evening routine, beginning twice weekly. Its initial guidance uses a pea-sized amount for the first one to two weeks, with frequency increased gradually as comfortable. Follow the current pack’s directions and warnings.

4. Is every K-SECRET product vegan?

No. The featured Snail Mucin 97% + Rice Essence contains animal-derived snail secretion filtrate. Check vegan suitability for each individual product.

5. What are K-SECRET prices at Korean Beauty Mart?

On 26 October 2026, the five featured products ranged from ৳1,500 to ৳1,900. Retinal Serum 30ml was ৳1,700, and Snail Mucin Essence 100ml was ৳1,900.