K-Secret Seoul 1988 Boosting Serum: Collagen Complex 7 + Red Ginseng Versus K-Secret Seoul 1988 Essence Snail Mucin 97% + Rice
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Collagen Water and Niacinamide to soften the look of wrinkles and hydrate skin.
This hydrating essence is formulated around Snail Secretion Filtrate and Oryza Sativa Extract to hydrate skin and fade the look of dark spots.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCollagen Water
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Atelocollagen
Skin Conditioning
Desamido Collagen
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Coptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSoluble Collagen
Humectant
Collagen
Moisturising
Collagen Amino Acids
Moisturising
Procollagen
Skin Conditioning
Methylpropanediol
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Tromethamine
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Cyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Ethyl Hexanediol
SolventCellulose
Absorbent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Glutathione
Hydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
ChelatingWater, Collagen Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycereth-26, Niacinamide, Atelocollagen, Desamido Collagen, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Soluble Collagen, Collagen, Collagen Amino Acids, Procollagen, Methylpropanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Squalane, Polyglycerin-3, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Tromethamine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cyanocobalamin, Ceramide NP, Beta-Glucan, Ethyl Hexanediol, Cellulose, Tocopherol, Polyglutamic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Glutathione, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA
Snail Secretion Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ethyl Hexanediol
SolventAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Arginine
Masking
Oryza Sativa Seed Water
Antimicrobial
Rice Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerEthyl Hexanediol is an aliphatic alcohol. It is a solvent.
Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
