COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil Versus K-Secret Seoul 1988 Serum Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng
Updated on May 18, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 2 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain retinoid and Vitamin E
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 harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils
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
COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil 10 ingredients
K-Secret Seoul 1988 Serum Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng 41 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
COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil 10 ingredients
K-Secret Seoul 1988 Serum Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng 41 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingBetaine
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Cholesterol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Brassica Campestris Sterols
Emollient
Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Arctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cnidium Officinale Root Extract
Skin ConditioningDioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingRehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
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 Seed Oil, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Cholesterol, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Brassica Campestris 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-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Bakuchiol, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil 10 ingredients
K-Secret Seoul 1988 Serum Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng 41 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil 10 ingredients
Bought this for my face but saw zero results. Now I'm using this for my uner eyes.
Broke me out
I have oily and acne prone skin and my face was on the road to recovery. I thought adding a retinol was a good idea and they marketed that this retinol oil is good for any skin type even though it is oily. It broke me out and gave me a scar within a week. It gave me an acne that was deep inside of my skin. I wouldnt recommend it to oily and acne prone skin people.
K-Secret Seoul 1988 Serum Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng 41 ingredients
Worked almost right away, by smoothing my skin, giving me smaller pores and improved fine lines. Definitely a staple.
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
