What is K-SECRET? The brand in brief
K-SECRET is a Korean skincare brand best known for its SEOUL 1988 line. The idea behind it is to combine modern vitamin A with ingredients rooted in Korean beauty traditions, such as black ginseng and fermented bean. The line uses retinal, a potent form of vitamin A, delivered in liposomes to help it feel kinder on the skin.
The SEOUL 1988 Eye Cream became a viral hit for fine lines and crow's feet, and the matching serum offers a face treatment for texture and dullness. Packaging carries the retinal percentage on the front, so it is easy to see which product is stronger.
Is K-SECRET legit? Is it a Korean brand?
Yes. K-SECRET is a genuine South Korean skincare brand, and SEOUL 1988 is its signature line. YESBEAUTY imports K-SECRET directly from the brand's official distribution channels in Seoul, so the products you receive match what is sold in Korea. Each pack carries a batch code and expiry date you can check.
Why K-SECRET is popular in Pakistan
Fine lines around the eyes, rough texture and dullness are common concerns, made worse by strong sun, pollution and screen time. Retinal is one of the most effective ingredients for these concerns, and K-SECRET makes it approachable in a small, easy routine: one eye cream and one serum.
The brand also gained a following on social media, where the eye cream became known as an affordable alternative to luxury vitamin A eye creams. That popularity means many shoppers search for where to buy the original.
K-SECRET price list in Pakistan
K-SECRET sits in the mid-range for vitamin A skincare. Both SEOUL 1988 products come in 30ml sizes, and because retinal is used in small amounts at night, a single jar or bottle lasts a long time. The live table on this page lists each product and today's price, updated automatically.
Spend over Rs. 6,000 for free delivery, or over Rs. 8,000 for two free gifts.
Shop K-SECRET by category
K-SECRET at YESBEAUTY covers eye care and face serum. Each links to the matching collection.
K-SECRET serums and ampoules
The SEOUL 1988 serum brings retinal and black ginseng to the whole face as a night treatment. Shop: K-SECRET SEOUL 1988 Serum: Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng 30ml. Browse every brand in serums and ampoules.
K-SECRET eye care
The SEOUL 1988 eye cream uses a higher retinal liposome percentage designed for the eye area. Shop: K-SECRET SEOUL 1988 Eye Cream: Retinal Liposome 4% + Fermented Bean 30ml. Browse every brand in eye care.
Best K-SECRET products in Pakistan
Both SEOUL 1988 products are popular. Choose by area: eye cream for the under-eye and crow's feet, serum for the whole face. Each product page has full usage guidance.
K-SECRET SEOUL 1988 Eye Cream: Retinal Liposome 4% + Fermented Bean 30ml
K-SECRET's most searched product in Pakistan; a night eye cream for fine lines and crow's feet.
K-SECRET SEOUL 1988 Serum: Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng 30ml
A night face serum with retinal and black ginseng for texture, fine lines and dullness.
K-SECRET for your skin concern
K-SECRET is a vitamin A brand, so it fits a specific set of concerns.
K-SECRET for fine lines and loss of firmness
This is the core of K-SECRET: retinal for fine lines and crow's feet, with liposomes and soothing extracts to make the experience gentler. Picks: K-SECRET SEOUL 1988 Eye Cream: Retinal Liposome 4% + Fermented Bean 30ml, K-SECRET SEOUL 1988 Serum: Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng 30ml. See our full fine lines and loss of firmness edit.
K-SECRET for uneven tone
Vitamin A helps skin renew itself, which supports a more even-looking tone over time when paired with strict daily sunscreen. Picks: K-SECRET SEOUL 1988 Serum: Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng 30ml. See our full uneven tone edit.
K-SECRET for dull, rough texture
Regular retinal use can leave skin looking smoother and more radiant, which is why the serum is popular for dull, tired-looking skin. Picks: K-SECRET SEOUL 1988 Serum: Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng 30ml. See our full dull, rough texture edit.
K-SECRET for acne-prone skin
Vitamin A is widely used for congested skin, but retinal is strong. Breakout-prone skin should start slowly, avoid other harsh actives on the same night and ask a dermatologist if acne is severe.
Key K-SECRET ingredients
These ingredients define the SEOUL 1988 line. Ingredient hubs are linked where available.
Retinal (retinaldehyde)
A form of vitamin A that sits one step closer to retinoic acid than retinol, so it can work faster. K-SECRET encapsulates it in liposomes for a gentler feel. Explore the Retinal (retinaldehyde) hub.
Liposomes
Tiny lipid carriers that hold the retinal and release it gradually, helping reduce the irritation strong vitamin A can cause.
Black ginseng
A traditional Korean ingredient in the serum, valued for its energising, nourishing feel on tired skin.
Fermented bean
Used in the eye cream to add nourishment and comfort to the delicate under-eye area.
Rice-derived ingredients
Part of the soothing, brightening support in the SEOUL 1988 formulas. Explore the Rice-derived ingredients hub.
Retinal vs retinol: why K-SECRET uses retinal
Retinol and retinal are both forms of vitamin A, but they are not the same. Skin has to convert retinol in two steps before it becomes the active form, while retinal needs only one step. That means retinal can work faster at lower concentrations, which is why many people consider it a step up from retinol.
The trade-off is strength. Retinal can cause dryness, flaking or tingling while skin adjusts, so K-SECRET wraps it in liposomes to release it more gradually. If you have never used vitamin A before, start slowly, and read our retinol and retinal hub for a full guide to the ingredient.
How to build a K-SECRET routine
K-SECRET products are night treatments. Build the rest of your routine around them.
Evening
- Cleanse gently and pat skin completely dry.
- Apply a thin layer of the K-SECRET SEOUL 1988 Serum: Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng 30ml two or three nights a week to start.
- Tap a small amount of the K-SECRET SEOUL 1988 Eye Cream: Retinal Liposome 4% + Fermented Bean 30ml along the orbital bone, avoiding the lash line.
- Seal with a simple, fragrance-free moisturiser.
Morning
- Cleanse and apply a hydrating serum.
- Moisturise.
- Always finish with broad-spectrum sunscreen; vitamin A makes skin more sun-sensitive.
Avoid using exfoliating acids or other retinoids on the same night. Increase frequency only when your skin is comfortable.
How to start retinal without irritation
The most common mistake with vitamin A is doing too much, too soon. Begin with a pea-sized amount of serum for the whole face, two nights a week, and keep the rest of your routine simple: gentle cleanser, the retinal step and a plain moisturiser. After two weeks, if your skin is comfortable, move to every other night.
The sandwich method helps sensitive skin: apply a thin layer of moisturiser, then the retinal, then a second layer of moisturiser. Avoid the corners of the nose and mouth, where skin tends to flake first. Mild tightness or light peeling in the first weeks is normal; burning, swelling or a rash is not, and means you should stop and speak to a dermatologist.
Give each change time. Skin renews over roughly a month, so judge results over two or three months rather than days, and remember that sunscreen protects the progress you make at night.
K-SECRET and Pakistan's sun
Vitamin A and strong sun do not mix well without protection. In Pakistani summers, use K-SECRET only at night, wear sunscreen every morning, reapply when outdoors and add a hat or sunglasses for long periods in the sun. If your skin becomes red or peels after a sunny day, pause the retinal for a few nights and focus on hydration.
K-SECRET reviews and results: what to expect
Retinal works gradually. Many users notice smoother-feeling skin within a few weeks, while visible changes in fine lines and texture usually take two to three months of consistent use. Mild dryness or flaking early on is common as skin adjusts. Results depend on how regularly you use the product and how well you protect your skin from the sun.
Eye cream or serum: which K-SECRET product first?
If your main concern is crow's feet, fine lines under the eyes or a tired look around them, start with the eye cream. It is made for that thinner skin and you only need a tiny amount each night. If your concern is overall texture, enlarged-looking pores or dullness across the face, start with the serum.
Many people eventually use both, but introduce them one at a time, a few weeks apart, so you can see how your skin responds. On nights you use both, apply the serum to the face first, avoiding the eye area, then tap the eye cream along the orbital bone.
Who should be careful with K-SECRET?
Vitamin A is not for everyone. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid retinal and retinol unless a doctor advises otherwise. People with very sensitive skin, eczema or rosacea should speak to a dermatologist first. If you are using prescription acne treatments, ask your doctor before adding retinal.
Is K-SECRET original in Pakistan? How to spot fake K-SECRET
Because the SEOUL 1988 eye cream went viral, copies are common. Original K-SECRET has sharp, aligned printing, the correct retinal percentage on the front, a batch code and expiry date, and a smooth, consistent texture. A strong perfume, watery texture or blurry print is a warning sign.
Avoid deals far below the usual price and sellers who cannot explain their stock. YESBEAUTY imports K-SECRET through the brand's official channels in Seoul, part of a group that has served more than 200,000 customers over 10 years, and our Authenticity Promise covers every order.
K-SECRET shelf life and storage
Vitamin A is sensitive to light and heat. Keep K-SECRET products closed, away from direct sun and out of steamy bathrooms or hot cars. Use them within the period on the open-jar symbol, usually around a year, and stop if the colour or smell changes noticeably.
Every K-SECRET product at YESBEAUTY
Here is every K-SECRET product at YESBEAUTY. Explore more anti-ageing options in our ageing edit or browse skincare and the brands A–Z.