🇫🇷France

K-SECRET SEOUL 1988 Serum for sensitive skin

Average

  • AverageNormal Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for sensitive skin; other serums fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. 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 anti-aging benefits for your normal skin, as retinal and bakuchiol work to minimize fine lines and wrinkles, while glycerin and niacinamide provide essential hydration and barrier support.
  • The inclusion of Panax Ginseng Root Extract and Tocopherol offers antioxidant and soothing properties beneficial for your redness and irritation.
  • The product is safe for your sensitive skin, containing no harsh ingredients and featuring soothing components like Panax Ginseng Root Extract and Bakuchiol.

How to apply

  • Use your serum in the PM routine, starting 3 times a week before building up to daily use if your skin is happy.
  • Apply the serum after cleansing and toning, but before putting on your moisturizer for the best results.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute ⏱ for it to soak in.
  • Since your skin is sensitive and easily irritated, apply the serum on completely dry skin to help keep it calm.
  • Always do a patch test before your first use and avoid getting the serum too close to your eyes .

People Say

★4.8Overall rating based on 900+ reviews

Users consistently praise this serum as a gentle yet effective entry-level retinoid that improves skin texture and radiance without the harsh irritation often associated with retinol. The combination of 2% liposomal retinal and black ginseng is frequently highlighted for its ability to smooth fine lines and even out skin tone while maintaining hydration, making it a favorite for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Highlights

  • Gentle, non-irritating Mostly Mentioned
    • “No reaction or peeling”
    • “great for retinol beginners”
    • “very gentle on sensitive skin”
  • Improves skin texture Often Mentioned
    • “Skin feels noticeably smoother”
    • “helped with texture”
    • “woke up with plump skin”
  • Lightweight absorption Often Mentioned
    • “Absorbs quickly”
    • “no sticky residue”
    • “yellow color disappears fast”
  • Hydrating formula Sometimes Noted
    • “Feels hydrating”
    • “doesn't dry me out”
    • “moisturizing finish”
  • Slow anti-aging results Sometimes Noted
    • “Not a miracle worker overnight”
    • “takes months for deep lines”
    • “slow progress on smile lines”
  • Availability issues Rarely Noted
    • “Hard to find in stock”
    • “shipping took forever”
    • “had to preorder”
  • Bulky packaging Rarely Noted
    • “Packaging is clunky”
    • “bottle is huge for 30ml”
    • “pump mechanism is large”
  • Initial breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “Had some purging initially”
    • “small breakouts at first”
    • “skin got worse before better”

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

Questions and answers

How well does K-SECRET SEOUL 1988 Serum work for sensitive skin?

This serum works for sensitive skin, though other products fit it better because it contains potent active ingredients. To truly suit sensitive skin, this type of product needs soothing components and calming antioxidants like ginseng and bakuchiol while entirely avoiding harsh irritants.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for sensitive skin?

Panax Ginseng Root Extract, bakuchiol, and niacinamide make this serum a good fit for sensitive skin because they soothe redness and irritation while supporting the skin barrier without harsh ingredients. This treatment is an average fit, so sensitive skin needs a product of this type to feature strong soothing components, potent antioxidants, hydrating agents, and skin-repairing ingredients with zero allergens.

What does Retinal do for sensitive skin?

Retinal helps smooth fine lines, improve texture, and even out skin tone while generally maintaining a good tolerance profile with a lower likelihood of irritation compared to stronger forms of vitamin A.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2024Dermatology, 1999

What does Ginseng Root Extract do for sensitive skin?

Ginseng Root Extract helps calm skin redness and keeps sensitive skin comfortable by reducing irritation. It also supports skin strength to make it less reactive over time.

Phytotherapy Research, 2019Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2013

Where does it go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?

This treatment goes in your evening routine after your soothing toner and before your moisturizer. For sensitive skin, this product type needs gentle soothing ingredients like centella or chamomile and hydrating components like hyaluronic acid to keep skin calm and well-hydrated.

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

It is best to avoid using this serum in the same routine with AHA to prevent irritation, since both ingredients actively renew the skin. Instead, alternate nights or use your AHA in the morning and save this treatment for your evening routine.

How often should I use it?

This treatment works well in your evening routine a few times a week, as starting slowly helps sensitive skin adjust to active ingredients like retinal. To keep this skin calm and comfortable, a product of this type needs soothing plant extracts and gentle hydrating ingredients.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Facial Plastic Surgery, 2014

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?

This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause major breakouts for sensitive skin, though mild initial purging or breakouts may occasionally happen when starting active ingredients like retinal. Sensitive skin needs gentle, hydrating formulas with soothing ingredients like centella, ceramides, or hyaluronic acid to keep pores clear and skin calm without irritation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019

Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Topical bakuchiol 0.5% applied twice daily compared with retinol 0.5% applied daily significantly decreased wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation with no statistical difference between the compounds in 44 patients over 12 weeks, while retinol users reported more facial skin scaling and stinging.

    The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019
  • 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
  • Topical application of a serum containing supramolecular Bakuchiol and Terminalia chebula extract significantly improved barrier function, reduced redness and sensitivity, and improved wrinkles and elasticity in 34 Chinese subjects with sensitive skin after 28 days.

    Health Science Reports, 2025
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • A dermocosmetic containing bakuchiol, Ginkgo biloba extract, and mannitol improves inflammatory lesions, Investigator Global Assessment, and seborrhea intensity when added to adapalene 0.1% gel in patients with acne vulgaris.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015
  • Bakuchiol functions as an anti-aging compound through retinol-like regulation of gene expression, producing significant improvements in lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, elasticity, firmness, and photo-damage after 12 weeks of twice-a-day facial application without usual retinol therapy-associated undesirable effects.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014
  • A nature-based bakuchiol-containing cleanser and moisturizer improved visual and tactile smoothness, clarity, radiance, overall appearance, global anti-aging, and skin moisture content by 16% in 60 female subjects with sensitive mild to moderate photodamaged skin over 4 weeks.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2020
  • Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2003
  • Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.

    Journal of Periodontology, 2009
  • Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022

Ingredients

Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Polyglycerin-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sorbitan Stearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Vp Copolymer, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Betaine, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Adenosine, Disodium Edta, Cholesterol, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Brassica Campestris 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

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.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product.

Buy online

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 France.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.