K-SECRET SEOUl 1988 ESSENCE for dry skin
Snail Secretion Filtrate
Butylene Glycol
1,2-Hexanediol
Average
- SuperiorDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for dry skin; other moisturizers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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 hydration benefits for your dry or flaky skin, as hyaluronic acid and panthenol provide humectant and barrier repair actions. Rice seed extract and sake ferment filtrate further support skin hydration and resilience.
- The formula is generally safe for your dry skin, with allantoin and panthenol offering soothing properties and no harsh ingredients present.
- While effective for general hydration, the product does not offer targeted solutions for specific skin concerns beyond dryness.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and work your way up to daily use.
- Apply your moisturizer after your toner and before your sunscreen in the morning. At night, use it as the final step after your serum.
- Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin. Avoid rubbing to keep your dry skin happy.
- Apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra hydration. This is great for soothing dry and flaky areas .
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a 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
How well does K-SECRET Seoul 1988 Essence work for dry skin?
K-SECRET Seoul 1988 Essence works reasonably well for dry skin, offering moderate hydration and soothing benefits through ingredients like hyaluronic acid and panthenol. However, a product for dry skin needs a richer blend of high-quality ingredients, multiple types of hyaluronic acid, and barrier-supporting ceramides to maximize moisture retention and improve texture.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
Which ingredients make this essence a good fit for dry skin?
Hyaluronic acid and panthenol make this essence a good fit for dry skin by drawing in moisture and soothing dryness, while rice seed extract and sake ferment filtrate help support skin hydration and soft texture. A product of this type needs rich ingredients that lock in moisture and strengthen the skin barrier to keep dry skin comfortable.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
What does Snail Secretion Filtrate do for dry skin?
Snail Secretion Filtrate helps dry skin by improving skin hydration and smoothness, making rough skin feel soft again. It contains active substances and trace minerals that support tissue repair and keep skin flexible.
What does Butylene Glycol do for dry skin?
Butylene glycol helps dry skin by drawing in moisture and making it easier for hydration to sink in deeper. Clinical testing shows that combining it with other hydrating ingredients can increase skin moisture and reduce water loss.
Journal of Controlled Release, 2022International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024
Where does this essence go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This essence fits into the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, though it can also be used in the morning or twice a day. To work best for dry skin, this type of product needs extra rich hydrators, barrier-repairing oils, and soothing ingredients that lock in moisture.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this essence with retinol by applying the essence first and following it with your retinol product, as the formula is generally safe and helps soothe dry skin. Dry skin works best with products that combine rich hydrators and barrier-repairing ingredients to fully protect against retinol irritation.
How often should I use this essence?
You can use this moisturizing treatment in your evening routine, applying it after cleansing and before your moisturizer. Daily application helps keep dry skin soft and comfortable, as hydrating and soothing ingredients support your skin barrier.
Health Science Reports, 2021The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This essence is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry skin. The formula is generally safe and features soothing ingredients like panthenol and allantoin without any harsh ingredients.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
Can I use this essence around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this moisturizing treatment around your eyes and on your body because its gentle formula is generally safe for dry skin. Hyaluronic acid, panthenol, and rice seed extract help hydrate delicate and body skin, though dry skin on the body often needs heavier rich creams or oils to stay soft and smooth.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020
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, 2017Daily application of a cream containing niosomes loaded with purple glutinous rice extract in 20 human volunteers for 28 days resulted in a significant decrease in melanin index and skin roughness by -14.05% and -9.95%, and increases in skin hydration and elastic recovery by +48.73% and +35.98% compared to initial values.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020Topical 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 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, 2025Dipropylene glycol, propylene glycol, and butylene glycol increased molecular mobility in stratum corneum lipids and affected keratin filaments, with butylene glycol and propylene glycol providing significant permeation enhancement.
Journal of Controlled Release, 2022A 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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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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