🇦🇪United Arab Emirates

K-SECRET SEOUL 1988 Cream for combination skin

Average

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for combination skin; other moisturizers fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.

Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works

Lovi Assistant explains

  • Offers moderate moisturizing for your combination skin due to glycerin and hydrogenated lecithin, which hydrate and enhance barrier resilience, while niacinamide helps with seboregulation. The 3-0-ethyl ascorbic acid provides antioxidant benefits, but the formula lacks specialized ingredients to directly address oily shine.
  • The product is generally safe for your combination skin, with niacinamide and allantoin offering soothing benefits and no harsh ingredients.
  • It provides basic hydration and soothing effects suitable for combination skin.

How to apply

  • Use this moisturizer in your AM and PM routine every day to control shine. Always pair with SPF in the morning.
  • Apply this moisturizer after your cleanser and toner, right before your morning SPF.
  • Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin and avoid harsh rubbing. Let it ⏳absorb for a minute.
  • Apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin to help it lock in moisture better. This keeps your combination skin balanced.
  • Avoid the eye area when applying the moisturizer. Do a patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.7Overall rating based on 100+ reviews

Based on limited data, users consistently praise this cream as an excellent entry-level retinal product that effectively smooths skin texture and hydrates without the irritation typically associated with retinoids. While it is highly rated for its gentle formula and non-greasy finish, some users note that it requires consistent long-term use to see significant changes in deep wrinkles or hyperpigmentation.

Highlights

  • Gentle & Non-Irritating Mostly Mentioned
    • “did not irritate my sensitive skin at all”
    • “perfect for those new to retinol”
    • “no redness or peeling experienced”
  • Elegant Texture Often Mentioned
    • “absorbs fairly quickly”
    • “non-sticky finish”
    • “lightweight but nourishing”
  • Hydrating Formula Sometimes Noted
    • “skin feels moisturized but not weighed down”
    • “good moisturizing formula”
    • “hydrates and soothes”
  • Improves Skin Texture Sometimes Noted
    • “skin looks smoother”
    • “helped with texture around nose”
    • “woke up with glowing skin”
  • Slow results Sometimes Noted
    • “not a miracle worker overnight”
    • “took months to see changes”
    • “don't expect instant results”
  • Bulky packaging Rarely Noted
    • “packaging is clunky”
    • “larger than it needs to be”
    • “hard to tell how much is left”
  • Mild scent Rarely Noted
    • “has a slight raw scent”
    • “smells a bit like vitamins”
    • “no added fragrance but has a scent”

Sources: lovi.care, stylekorean.com, iherb.com, youtube.com, yesstyle.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does K-SECRET SEOUL 1988 Cream work for combination skin?

This cream works decently for combination skin, offering moderate hydration and soothing benefits while helping balance oil. However, because it lacks specialized ingredients to directly reduce oily shine, a product of this type needs targeted oil-control agents and brightening ingredients to truly excel for combination skin.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for combination skin?

Glycerin and hydrogenated lecithin make this cream a good fit by providing moderate hydration and strengthening the skin barrier, while niacinamide helps manage oil. To be a better fit for combination skin, this type of product also needs specialized ingredients that directly target and reduce oily shine.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Niacinamide do for combination skin?

Niacinamide helps balance oily areas by reducing excess shine and pore size while keeping dry patches hydrated and smooth. It also works to calm redness and even out skin tone, making it very suitable for combination skin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

What does Lactobacillus Ginseng Root Ferment Filtrate do for combination skin?

Lactobacillus Ginseng Root Ferment Filtrate helps keep combination skin balanced by supporting the skin barrier and retaining moisture. This type of ingredient is well-suited for combination skin because it provides lightweight hydration for dry areas while helping to calm and soothe the skin.

Scientific Reports, 2023International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2023

Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for combination skin?

This cream fits as your moisturizer step, used after cleansing and toning in the morning and evening. A product for combination skin like this also needs ingredients that help balance excess oil and shine.

Can I use this cream with AHA, and in what order?

You can use this cream alongside AHA, applying the AHA first and following with this moisturizing treatment. Combination skin needs products with mattifying ingredients to help control oily shine alongside basic hydration.

How often should I use this cream?

You can use this moisturizing treatment twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine. Regular daily application helps improve skin moisture and barrier function.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021

Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?

This cream is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on combination skin, as it has a generally safe formula with soothing ingredients like niacinamide and allantoin. However, because it provides only moderate hydration and lacks specialized ingredients to control oily shine, combination skin also needs lightweight, oil-balancing ingredients like salicylic acid or zinc to keep pores completely clear.

Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?

You can use this moisturizing treatment around the eyes and on your body, as its gentle formula provides basic hydration and soothing effects suitable for those areas. A product of this type needs specialized ingredients to directly address oily shine and keep the skin balanced across different body zones.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002

Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
  • A multi-component dissolving microneedle patch loaded with glabridin, 3-O-ethyl-L-ascorbic acid, and tranexamic acid effectively reduced chloasma and age spots while demonstrating safety in clinical evaluation, alongside significant antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, and melanin-reduction effects in vitro and in vivo.

    Polymers, 2023
  • A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.

    Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020
  • Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
  • Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.

    The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008
  • Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.

    Dermatologic Surgery, 2005
  • Enzyme-modified ginseng extract cream significantly reduced the global photo-damage score and various roughness measures including total roughness, smoothness depth, and arithmetic roughness average compared to placebo in 23 human subjects.

    Rejuvenation Research, 2015
  • A red ginseng hydrogel formulation with 1,2-hexanediol promoted selective growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis and decreased Cutibacterium acnes in 20 female subjects.

    Journal of Ginseng Research, 2022
  • A 1% fermented black ginseng cream significantly reduced eye wrinkles and brightened skin color in twenty-three human subjects compared to control cream and baseline.

    Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part A, 2020
  • Twice daily application of retinaldehyde 0.1% and 0.05% creams for 3 months improved skin texture and hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss in 40 female Korean volunteers, with only the 0.1% cream significantly improving the melanin index.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2018
  • Topical retinaldehyde demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria both in vitro and in vivo, leading to decreased bacterial counts without inducing resistance.

    Dermatology, 2002
  • Topical 0.05% retinaldehyde applied over 1 year significantly increased epidermal thickness of the temple and cutaneous elasticity compared to an emollient control group in 40 aging skin patients.

    Dermatology, 1999

Ingredients

Water, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Vp Copolymer, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Sodium Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyisobutene, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Lactobacillus Panax Ginseng Root Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus Soybean Extract Ferment, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Saccharomyces Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Disodium Edta, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Caprylyl Glycol, Adenosine, Glyceryl Acrylate Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Caprylyl Capryl Glucoside, Cholesterol, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Sorbitan Oleate, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Phytosteryl Behenyl Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Retinal, Silica, Aluminum Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Tocopherol, 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, 3-0-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Bakuchiol, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1

Behind this fit score

Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

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Prices checked 5 Nov 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for the United Arab Emirates.

How does it fit your skin?

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