K-Secret Seoul 1988 Serum Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng Versus Real Barrier Extreme Essence Toner Light
Updated on May 18, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants
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, 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
K-Secret Seoul 1988 Serum Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng 41 ingredients
Real Barrier Extreme Essence Toner Light 53 ingredients
What's inside
What's inside
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
K-Secret Seoul 1988 Serum Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng 41 ingredients
Real Barrier Extreme Essence Toner Light 53 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/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
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingBetaine
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sodium Phytate
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Lactobionic Acid
Buffering
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientBis-Capryloyloxypalmitamido Isopropanol
EmollientCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Dihydroxyisopropyl Palmoylpalmamide
HumectantEctoin
Skin Conditioning
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Myristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin Conditioning
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Salvia Officinalis Oil
Masking
Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment
AntimicrobialElettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil
Masking
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningTartaric Acid
Buffering
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Masking
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
Juniperus Mexicana Oil
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantBenzyl Glycol
SolventHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Raspberry Ketone
Masking
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Hydroxyacetophenone, Panthenol, Glycosyl Trehalose, Carbomer, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Allantoin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Betaine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Phytate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Arginine, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Lactobionic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Bis-Capryloyloxypalmitamido Isopropanol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Dihydroxyisopropyl Palmoylpalmamide, Ectoin, Linoleic Acid, Madecassoside, Myristoyl/Palmitoyl Oxostearamide/Arachamide Mea, Phytosterols, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil, Glycolipids, Tartaric Acid, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Benzyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Raspberry Ketone
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.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.
This ingredient is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies also show it helps even out skin tone.
Fun fact: Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The kind found within cosmetic products can be either plant-derived or synthetic.
Learn more about BetaineButylene 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 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.
Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.
This ingredient helps:
Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.
As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.
Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.
Learn more about Dipropylene GlycolEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is the oil derived from the seeds of a Sunflower. Sunflower seed oil is non-fragrant. It is an emollient, meaning it helps to soften the skin.
Sunflower seed oil contains many fatty acids. The fatty acids found in sunflower seeds include (from highest amount to least): linoleic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid.
These fatty acids help the skin create ceramides. Ceramides play a role in repairing the skin barrier.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil helps moisturize the skin. This in turn helps the skin look more rejuvenated and smoother.
Sunflowers are rich in vitamin E.
Historians believe Indigenous cultures of North America domesticated sunflowers before corn. Thus they relied on sunflower oil for a variety of uses. One such use is moisturizing skin and hair.
Sunflower seed oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilHydrogenated 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.
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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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K-Secret Seoul 1988 Serum Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng 41 ingredients
Real Barrier Extreme Essence Toner Light 53 ingredients
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