🇬🇧United Kingdom

K-SECRET SEOUL 1988 Cream for dry skin

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 and anti-aging benefits for your dry skin, with glycerin and retinal working to improve moisture and texture, while macadamia ternifolia seed oil and hydrogenated lecithin support barrier repair.
  • The formula includes beneficial fermented extracts and allantoin to soothe and nourish, providing general skincare advantages that complement your dry or flaky skin.
  • The product is safe for your dry skin, containing no harsh ingredients and featuring soothing components like glycerin and allantoin.

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+ 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 Cream work for dry skin?

This cream works moderately well for dry skin, offering helpful moisture and soothing benefits through glycerin and allantoin. However, to truly satisfy dry skin, a product of this type needs richer oils and heavier sealing ingredients to lock in moisture and fully support the skin barrier.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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

Glycerin, retinal, and macadamia ternifolia seed oil make this cream a good fit for dry skin by improving moisture, smoothing texture, and supporting barrier repair. To work best for dry skin, this type of product needs a richer blend of softening and sealing ingredients to lock in moisture.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Niacinamide do for dry skin?

Niacinamide helps dry skin by strengthening the skin barrier, increasing hydration, and reducing water loss. It supports ceramide production and helps keep the surface smooth and calm. This ingredient tends to be very well tolerated and is unlikely to irritate dry skin.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2004Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026

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

Lactobacillus Ginseng Root Ferment Filtrate helps bring much-needed moisture to dry skin and keeps it feeling soft and smooth. Because dry skin often struggles with a weak barrier, fermented ingredients like this one help strengthen the outer layer so it holds onto hydration much better.

Scientific Reports, 2023International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2023

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

This cream goes as the moisturizer step in your morning routine and evening routine. To better care for dry skin, a product of this type needs richer oils, butters, and heavy barrier-repair ingredients like ceramides to lock in moisture and deeply smooth flaky areas.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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

You can use this cream with AHA, but apply your AHA first and wait for it to absorb before putting on this moisturizer. Combining exfoliating acids with retinal and fermented ingredients may increase the likelihood of stinging or redness on dry skin, so start slowly to see how your skin reacts.

How often should I use this cream?

You can use this moisturizing treatment twice daily as part of your routine. Daily application helps keep dry skin feeling soft and smooth while supporting moisture levels.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021

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

This cream is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your dry skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients and is safe to use. A product for this dry skin needs rich oils like macadamia seed oil and barrier-supporting ingredients like glycerin to deeply lock in moisture and prevent flaking.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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

You can use this moisturizing treatment around your eyes and on your body, though dry skin needs a product with rich oils and deep hydrators to stay truly soft and smooth.

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

  • 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 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 2 Nov 2026

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

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