🇮🇹Italy

K-SECRET SEOUL 1988 Cream for sensitive skin

Average

  • SuperiorNormal Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • Low RiskSafety

Works for sensitive skin; other moisturizers 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 benefits for your redness and irritation, as allantoin and glycerin provide hydration and soothing effects suitable for normal skin. Niacinamide and 3-0-ethyl ascorbic acid also offer antioxidant activity and melanogenesis regulation, which are beneficial for your skin type.
  • The product provides excellent moisturizing treatment due to glycerin and hydrogenated lecithin, enhancing barrier resilience and hydration for your normal skin.
  • The safety profile is generally good for your sensitive skin, though retinal and 3-0-ethyl ascorbic acid carry a slight risk of irritation.

How to apply

  • Use this soothing AM and PM routine every day to keep your normal skin calm. Always remember to apply SPF in the morning after your moisturizer.
  • Apply your moisturizer after your toner in the morning, and after your serum in the evening. This step locks in hydration and protects your skin.
  • Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer evenly across your face. Avoid rubbing to keep your sensitive skin happy and calm.
  • You can apply this gentle formula on dry or slightly damp skin for the best comfort. It works wonderfully on clean skin to soothe redness and irritation.
  • Do a patch test before your very first use to check your skin's reaction. Avoid getting the product directly into your eyes .

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 work for sensitive skin?

This cream works moderately well for sensitive skin, but retinal and 3-0-ethyl ascorbic acid carry a slight risk of irritation. To fit sensitive skin better, a moisturizing treatment needs soothing ingredients like fermented centella asiatica and cica ceramide that calm redness without any risk of irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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

Allantoin and glycerin help soothe and hydrate your sensitive skin, while niacinamide and 3-0-ethyl ascorbic acid provide antioxidant benefits. However, a product of this type needs highly effective soothing ingredients like fermented Centella Asiatica and Cica Ceramide that target redness without carrying any risk of irritation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Polymers, 2023

What does Niacinamide do for sensitive skin?

Niacinamide helps calm sensitive skin by strengthening the skin barrier and reducing redness and irritation. It is very well tolerated and may improve overall comfort and resilience with regular use.

Cutis, 2005Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2004

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

Lactobacillus Ginseng Root Ferment Filtrate helps calm and strengthen sensitive skin by supporting its natural defenses and reducing irritation. Fermented ingredients of this type are generally gentle and may improve how soft and smooth your skin feels over time.

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

This cream goes in the evening routine as a treatment step after your toner and before your moisturizer. Retinal and vitamin C derivatives carry a slight risk of irritation for sensitive skin, so a moisturizing treatment of this type needs soothing ingredients like allantoin and gentle hydrators like glycerin to keep the skin calm and comfortable.

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

You may use this cream with an AHA, but apply your AHA first and follow with this treatment, noting that the retinal and vitamin C inside carry a slight risk of irritation for sensitive skin. To work well for sensitive skin, this product type needs gentle soothing ingredients and barrier support without strong actives.

How often should I use this cream?

This cream works in your evening routine as a treatment step, applied after your soothing toner and before your moisturizer. It contains active ingredients like retinal that carry a slight risk of irritation for sensitive skin, so you should start using it just once a week and slowly increase frequency only if your skin tolerates it well.

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

This cream is generally safe for your sensitive skin, but the retinal in it carries a slight risk of irritation and may cause mild purging when you start using it. To work best for sensitive skin, a product of this type needs soothing ingredients like allantoin and gentle hydrators like glycerin to keep redness and dryness calm.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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

This cream is generally safe to use on the body and around the eyes, though active ingredients like retinal carry a slight risk of irritation on thinner areas. To properly care for sensitive skin in these areas while avoiding irritation, this skin type needs soothing, barrier-strengthening ingredients like glycerin and allantoin without strong active ingredients.

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

  • Niacinamide significantly decreased hyperpigmentation and increased skin lightness compared with vehicle alone after 4 weeks of use in women by inhibiting melanosome transfer.

    The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
  • 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 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
  • Dissolving microneedles loaded with 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid and acetyl hexapeptide-8 achieved higher cumulative transdermal delivery than aqueous solutions and significantly reduced photoaging signs while restoring oxidative balance in a UV/D-galactose-induced mouse model.

    International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2026
  • 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 6 Nov 2026

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

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