K-SECRET SEOUl 1988 Cleansing Foam for dry skin
Myristic Acid
Glycerin
Caution
- CautionDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A poor match for dry skin; the cleansers alongside 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 cleansing for your dry or flaky skin due to myristic acid and salicylic acid, which help decongest pores, though the latter can be drying.
- Glycerin and Centella Asiatica Extract provide some hydration and soothing benefits, but the formula lacks deeply hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or ceramides to fully counteract dryness.
- The product is safe for your dry skin as it contains no prohibited or harsh ingredients that would cause irritation.
How to apply
- Use this cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your skin clean. Start using it daily right away since your skin is not sensitive.
- Apply this cleanser as the very first step in your morning routine and right after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Follow with your toner and moisturizer afterwards.
- Gently massage a small amount of cleanser onto your face using soft circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry with a clean towel.
- Apply this cleanser on slightly damp skin for a comfortable and refreshing wash. This helps maintain your skin's natural moisture while cleansing away dirt.
- Avoid getting the cleanser directly into your eyes to prevent any irritation. Do a simple patch test before your first use to ensure your skin likes it.
People Say
★4.9Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsBased on limited data, this creamy cleansing foam is highly rated for its gentle yet effective cleansing, removing impurities and makeup without stripping the skin. Users frequently appreciate its hydrating finish and the soothing properties of its Pine Cica and Probiotics formula, which benefits sensitive and acne-prone skin. A small number of users with very dry skin noted potential tightness, suggesting evening use.
Highlights
Effective cleansing Often Mentioned
- “cleanses beautifully”
- “removes makeup”
- “rich dense foam”
Gentle & non-stripping Often Mentioned
- “doesn't strip skin”
- “moist finish”
- “hydrating feel”
Pleasant texture Sometimes Noted
- “creamy paste”
- “lathers well”
- “soft foam”
Soothing ingredients Sometimes Noted
- “calms irritation”
- “Pine Cica complex”
- “good for acne”
Fragrance-free Rarely Noted
- “scentless”
- “no chemical smell”
- “no fragrance”
Not extraordinary Rarely Noted
- “nothing special”
- “average cleanser”
- “not holy grail”
Potential dryness Rarely Noted
- “avoid morning use”
- “slightly drying”
- “tightness for dry skin”
Residue Rarely Noted
- “leaves slight film”
- “residue left behind”
- “hard to rinse”
Sensitivity issues Rarely Noted
- “acidic irritation”
- “tingling sensation”
- “redness”
Uncertain deep clean Rarely Noted
- “unsure on deep dirt”
- “maybe too gentle”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, stylekorean.com, yesstyle.com, kiyoko.com, hwahae.co.kr, and more
Questions and answers
Why does Lovi advise caution with K-SECRET Seoul 1988 Cleansing Foam for dry skin?
Lovi advises caution because this cleanser may further dry out dry skin due to ingredients that clear out pores. While it provides some soothing benefits, it lacks deeply hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or ceramides to fully counteract dryness. A cleanser for dry skin needs deep hydrators and skin barrier protectors like ceramides and hyaluronic acid to maintain moisture and health.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Which ingredients make this cleanser a poor fit for dry skin?
Salicylic acid and myristic acid make this cleanser a poor fit for dry skin because they clear out pores but can also be drying, and the formula lacks deeply hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or ceramides to fully counteract dryness.
What does Water do for dry skin?
Drinking more water helps increase skin hydration and may reduce clinical signs of dryness and roughness, particularly for individuals with lower prior water consumption.
What does Myristic Acid do for dry skin?
Myristic acid is generally not ideal on its own for dry skin, as studies show it can be present in higher amounts on irritated skin conditions and may require balancing with soothing oils and richer moisturizers to truly help repair the skin barrier.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2012American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This cleanser goes in the morning and evening routines for dry skin, followed by a hydrating toner, moisturizer, and sunscreen in the day. Because it can be drying, dry skin needs a cleanser of this type to include deeply hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or ceramides to fully counteract dryness.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser with retinol, but because it can be drying, apply it before your retinol and follow with a rich moisturizer containing hyaluronic acid or ceramides to keep your skin soft and comfortable.
How often should I use this cleanser?
This cleanser may be too drying for your dry skin because it lacks deeply hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or ceramides, so you should use a mild cleanser that keeps your skin soft and comfortable instead.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on dry skin, as it contains salicylic acid to help clear out pores. However, because your skin is dry, a product of this type needs deeply hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or ceramides to keep your skin soft and smooth without feeling tight.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser may be too drying for the thin skin around your eyes and the skin on your body since it lacks deeply hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or ceramides. A cleanser for this skin needs rich hydrating and soothing benefits to prevent dryness.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.
BioMed Research International, 2020Twice daily application of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream provided comparable efficacy to benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in reducing inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions in 150 Caucasian subjects with mild-to-moderate acne over 56 days, while demonstrating superior skin tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016A 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, 2017The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012
Ingredients
Water, Myristic Acid, Glycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Coco-Betaine, Lauric Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Olivate, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Chloride, Salicylic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Phosphate Starch, Ethylhexylglycerin, Bifida Lysate Ferment, Synthetic Beeswax, Disodium Edta, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Madecassoside, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Thuja Orientalis Extract
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
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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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