K-SECRET SEOUl 1988 ESSENCE for oily skin
Snail Secretion Filtrate
Butylene Glycol
1,2-Hexanediol
Low
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
A weak match for oily skin; the moisturizers alongside fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 oily skin due to hyaluronic acid and panthenol, which hydrate and enhance barrier resilience, but it lacks specialized ingredients to effectively manage oily shine.
- While allantoin and panthenol provide soothing benefits, the formula does not contain sufficient seboregulating ingredients for optimal results on oily skin.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine every day to keep your face fresh.
- Apply this moisturizer after cleansing and toning, but right before your SPF in the morning.
- Gently press a small amount into your skin and let it absorb fully.
- Apply on clean, slightly dry skin to help control that oily shine.
- Avoid the eye area and do a quick patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsThis essence is frequently praised for its lightweight, non-sticky texture that deeply hydrates and plumps the skin, making it a good option for dry, sensitive, and acne-prone skin types. Many users report achieving a noticeable glow and improved skin barrier health with consistent use.
Highlights
Deep hydration Mostly Mentioned
- “plump bouncy feeling”
- “boost of hydration”
- “moisture top-up”
- “deeply nourishing”
Elegant texture Often Mentioned
- “absorbs quickly”
- “less sticky than COSRX”
- “lightweight finish”
- “silky application”
Brightening glow Sometimes Noted
- “healthy radiance”
- “glass skin effect”
- “evens skin tone”
- “brightens dullness”
Soothing & repairing Sometimes Noted
- “calms irritation”
- “strengthens barrier”
- “heals redness”
- “gentle on sensitive skin”
Makeup compatibility Rarely Noted
- “layers beautifully”
- “no pilling”
- “smooth base”
- “works under foundation”
Absorption time Rarely Noted
- “takes time to settle”
- “slightly tacky initially”
- “requires patting in”
Initial sliminess Rarely Noted
- “stringy texture”
- “slimy at first”
- “viscous consistency”
- “goopy application”
Lack of results Rarely Noted
- “didn't do much”
- “no visible difference”
- “hit or miss”
- “average performance”
Potential breakouts Rarely Noted
- “closed comedones (rare)”
- “caused congestion”
- “not for everyone”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, stylekorean.com, skinsort.com, hikoco.co.nz, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why is K-SECRET Seoul 1988 Essence a weak match for oily skin?
This essence is a weak match because it lacks specialized ingredients to effectively manage oily shine and does not contain sufficient oil-controlling components for oily skin. A moisturizing treatment for this skin needs peptides, lightweight hydrating agents, and ingredients that support the skin barrier without heavy oils or excess oiliness.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
Which ingredients make this essence a poor fit for oily skin?
This essence is a weak match for oily skin because it lacks specialized ingredients and oil-balancing extracts to effectively manage oily shine. A treatment for this skin type needs lightweight hydrating agents combined with ingredients that control excess oil and support the skin barrier without heavy oils.
What does Snail Secretion Filtrate do for oily skin?
Snail Secretion Filtrate helps calm and clear oily skin while keeping it feeling soft and smooth. It may also help reduce breakouts and support skin recovery without feeling heavy or greasy.
What does Butylene Glycol do for oily skin?
Butylene glycol helps deliver active ingredients deeper into the skin and is unlikely to clog pores, making it useful for keeping oily skin balanced and smooth. It helps other ingredients penetrate effectively while maintaining a lightweight feel.
Journal of Controlled Release, 2022European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2008
Where does this essence go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This essence goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, as treatments with active ingredients are typically used then for simplicity and safety. Because this product is a weak match for oily skin, a product of this type needs oil-controlling and seboregulating ingredients to properly manage shine.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this treatment with retinol in your evening routine by applying it after your cleanser and toner, and before your moisturizer. A product of this type needs oil-absorbing or balancing ingredients to properly manage shine for oily skin.
How often should I use this essence?
This treatment is a weak match for oily skin, so you may use it in the evening routine. Oily skin needs a product of this type that also includes specialized ingredients to control shine and oil.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This essence is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin, as negative reviews about breakouts are negligible. However, because it is a weak match for oily skin, a product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and oil-controlling ingredients to keep shine in check without feeling heavy.
Can I use this essence around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this essence around the eyes and on your body, as the skin on your body and eyelids is thin and may benefit from gentle hydration. However, because this is a weak match for oily skin, a product of this type used on these areas needs lightweight hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and panthenol, alongside oil-controlling ingredients to manage shine properly.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002A facial serum containing snail secretion filtrate, Calendula officinalis, and Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract significantly reduced inflammatory acne lesions compared to placebo in 66 participants with mild-to-moderate maskne over 12 weeks.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022HelixComplex snail mucus protected human keratinocytes and reconstructed human epidermis models from ozone-induced oxidative damage and pro-inflammatory response following exposure to 0.5 ppm ozone for 2 hours.
PloS One, 2020Topical treatment with Snail Secretion Filtrate significantly improves the speed and percentage of wound area closure, enhances proliferation and tissue remodeling, and reduces inflammation in a full-thickness excisional wound model in mice compared to untreated controls.
Veterinary Sciences, 2021A 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, 2022Sensory skin irritation potential of 1,2-alkanediols increased with alkane chain length, whereas 1,2-hexanediol showed the lowest objective skin irritation potential compared to both shorter and longer chain lengths, and percutaneous absorption negatively correlated with alkane chain length.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2011
Ingredients
Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethyl Hexanediol, Allantoin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Hyaluronic Acid, Carbomer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Vp Copolymer, Panthenol, Water, Rice Seed Extract, Arginine, Rice Seed Water Seed, Rice Ferment Filtrate Sake Ferment Filtrate
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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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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