K-Secret

K-Secret Soul 1988 Liposomal Serum.

Serums

About this product

A 15% niacinamide brightening serum formulated with squalane and panthenol.

Full ingredients

Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sorbitan Stearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Betaine, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Cholesterol, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) 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, 3-0-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Bakuchiol, SH-Oligopeptide-1

Guru Score

81%

Yay

4 experts · Moderate agreement

What the gurus are saying

This 15% niacinamide serum has an unexpectedly hydrating, moisturizing texture for a brightening product, thanks to squalane and panthenol. It brings the complexion back to life with a reviving glow. Anyone prone to niacinamide sensitivity should wait until skin is fully dry before applying, as moisture speeds absorption and may overload your skin with this high concentration.

Synthesized from 4 expert reviews · most recent take November 2025

What they liked

Hydrating, plumping feel that absorbs without heaviness
Brightening glow without irritating sensitive skin
Moisturizing texture despite high niacinamide content

What they flagged

High niacinamide may irritate those sensitive to it

Best for

Oily skin Sensitive skin Acne-prone skin

Type

SerumsDrops & dropper

Key actives

Vitamin C Retinoid NiacinamideVitamin EPeptides

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

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What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

AliceintheRabbitHole

59k subs

✓Mixed

"This does feel nice though. It's a brightening product with a high level of niacinamide, but I see ingredients like squalane and panthenol which I feel are helping to explain that lovely texture. [...] I expected the feel to match the sensation of most brightening products, but it felt more like a hydrating, moisturizing product."

Nipun Kapur

412k subs

✓Yay

"This is a really really good formula. Definitely as a retinol it is fabulous. A lot of the retinols I am going talk to you about today. I was actually testing them out last year. And to be honest using retinol consistently I haven't missed my tretinoin at all."

Translated from the guru's original language.

Gothamista

683k subs

✓Yay

"It's almost like a very light refreshing gel but it does absorb, it sinks in, it's slightly moisturizing. This also gives my skin really beautiful glow. I mean, this is kind of great for this time of year because it is slightly moisturizing but it's really not heavy. I love that it clearly brings my skin back to life. It kind of revives my complexion. [...] This is just a well-aging powerhouse. For those with very sensitive skin, this has also gone through skin sensitivity testing as well."

Mad About Skin

731k subs

✓Yay

"The K-Secret Soul 1988 Liposomal Serum is absolute perfection when it comes to retinal, [...] so gentle yet so effective that you can even use it on the neck if you are super sensitive. It is one of my favorite Korean skincare retinals, I love it and have about six."

All 4 takes from Mad About Skin

THE PREFECT RETINOL - Best Retinoids For Next Level Anti Aging Skincare

"This is the K-Secret Soul 1988 Liposomal Serum, and it actually is a retinal in a liposomal complex which sounds super scientific and crazy confusing but honestly all it means is it just prevents that instant hit of retinal triggering any sensitivity. It's encapsulated so it has a more delayed mechanism of action, great for everybody."

IS IT OVER FOR RETINOL - Whats Going On

"This is the K-Secret Soul 1988 Liposomal Serum. This actually takes retinal, kind of breaks it apart, puts it, formulates it with liposomes and fixes it all back together to give a much more gentle option than what you'll ever be able to achieve with retinol. So if you're somebody that has avoided retinoids in general because you're worried about the level of sensitivity, give this a go."

Full KOREAN SKINCARE ROUTINE - Ultimate Korean Skincare Favourites

"I absolutely love this one. It's a really nice gentle retinal that I think could work for everyone. You've got a lot of retinal in here that you can tell, look at the color of that, the fact that this is so like canary yellow shows just how much retinal you've actually got in here, which is why it works so so well. I always have one in reserve because I don't want to run out of this one."

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What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Retinoids

Retinoids are among the best studied ingredients in dermatology, with solid evidence for acne and for the fine lines and rough texture that come from sun exposure. Dryness and flaking in the first few weeks are common and usually settle.

Source: DermNet

Vitamin C

Topical vitamin C is an antioxidant with reasonable evidence for dullness and uneven tone. It breaks down in light and air, so how a product is formulated and packaged matters as much as the percentage on the front.

Source: DermNet

Niacinamide

Niacinamide has evidence behind it for redness, uneven tone and supporting the skin barrier, and it is usually well tolerated even by skin that reacts to most things.

Source: DermNet

Frequently asked.

What is K-Secret Soul 1988 Liposomal Serum?

A 15% niacinamide brightening serum formulated with squalane and panthenol.

Is K-Secret Soul 1988 Liposomal Serum worth it?

Mostly yes. 3 of the 4 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 81%.

What is K-Secret Soul 1988 Liposomal Serum's Guru Score?

K-Secret Soul 1988 Liposomal Serum holds a Guru Score of 81%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 4 expert reviewers we have collected.