Versus

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum Versus K-Secret Seoul 1988 Serum Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng

Serum
Serum
American Brand United States
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on February 03, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain niacinamide and retinoid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, fragrances or parabens

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Seoul 1988 Serum Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng

Panax Ginseng Root Extract

Emollient
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Water

Skin Conditioning

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Dipropylene Glycol

Masking

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Smoothing

Niacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.

And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.

You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.

In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.

If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.

When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.

When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.

In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).

Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.

Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.

The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.

Learn more about Niacinamide
Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning

Hydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.

This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.

Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.

A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.

Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning

Cholesterol is a class of organic molecules called lipids. It helps hydrate your skin and is essential to having a healthy skin barrier.

Our skin naturally contains cholesterol in the outermost layer. Besides cholesterol, it also contains ceramides and fatty acids. Cholesterol makes up about 1/4 of your skin's outer layer and barrier. Your skin barrier is responsible for keeping allergens and microbes out. Having a healthy skin barrier is also responsible for keeping your skin firm and plump.

Our bodies use cholestrol to create vitamin D, steroid hormones, and more.

Learn more about Cholesterol
Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

When to use

2,251 Routines
7% use in am
92% use in pm
66% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
316 Routines
4% use in am
96% use in pm
59% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients

3.5 /5
from 44 ratings
Light (13) Absorbs Well (10) No Scent (8)
CentellaAddict's avatar

CentellaAddict

1 year ago
Review

No more acne, very slow at reducing pigmentation tho

#absorbs well
#works well
SkincareSimba's avatar

SkincareSimba

1 year ago
Review

The only retinol my partner's skin can tolerate.
Their skin is extremely reactive and sensitive but this retinol has worked great.

I also use it every other day because I alternate between this retinol and A313.
It works great and is gentle enough to allow me to build tolerance without purging effects (at least on my skin and my partner's)

#great value
#light
#absorbs well
#no scent

K-Secret Seoul 1988 Serum Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng 41 ingredients

3.8 /5
from 8 ratings
Absorbs Well (7) Works Well (5) No Scent (5)
corissahughes's avatar

Corissa Hughes

11 months ago
Review

Worked almost right away, by smoothing my skin, giving me smaller pores and improved fine lines. Definitely a staple.

#great value
#absorbs well
#light scent
#works well
destiny19's avatar

destiny19

6 months ago
Review

been struggling a lot with closed comedones and acne. this product has helped reduced that and improves texture pretty fast

EDIT: i used it for 4 months and while it did get rid of cc and hormonal acne, I noticed that any pimples that remained on my face was fungal acne (i used to struggle with fa in highschool but haven't in 5 yrs) i know the product is not fa safe but most otc retinoids Show more

#absorbs well
#no scent