'This $22 retinal serum is better than the more expensive one that wrecked my skin.'

As I approach my thirties, I've never been more interested in incorporating a retinol product into my evening skincare routine.

Yes, I'm all about ageing gracefully. I don't want to erase every line or pretend I'm still 21. But if there's an ingredient out there that can slow down the whole fine lines situation and help with texture, tone and breakouts? You better believe I'm all ears.

But — and that's a big but — I have SEVERE retinol PTSD.

It happened after my skin was left in shambles for months (not weeks, but months!) from using a retinol product that was marketed as "gentle." Sure, it may have been gentle, but it was definitely not gentle enough for my hypersensitive skin. Initially, I thought it might've been the purging process everyone talks about, but lo and behold, it was just one big reaction.

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Ever since then, I've avoided every product that contains even the slightest trace of retinol. 

And so, in an effort to reap the benefits of vitamin A without the trauma, I decided to invest in Korea's OG retinal brand… K-Secret Seoul 1988.

Here's everything you need to know about the brand and what happened when I put their viral $35 serum to the test.

What is K-Secret Seoul 1988?

You've probably noticed that Korean skincare is all about hydration, healing and being oh-so-gentle with your skin barrier. It's less about hardcore actives and more about soothing ingredients, which is probably why you don't see retinol all over K-beauty shelves.

But as a Chinese-Korean Australian beauty writer, I live for a "best of both worlds" moment — and that's exactly what K-Secret Seoul 1988 is doing.

The brand is inspired by the Seoul Olympics in (you guessed it) 1988, which were a big cultural flex for Korea. They've taken that era's bold spirit and bottled it into a skincare line that blends traditional Korean ingredients with clever modern science.

The result? Affordable, effective formulas that bring the power of retinal to the forefront — without setting your face on fire.

It's one of the key reasons the brand has gained major popularity online, across both Eastern and Western beauty communities. Their range focuses on retinal-powered formulas, boosted with proven skin-loving ingredients to address signs of ageing and promote overall skin health, without setting your face on fire. 

What's the difference between retinol and retinal?

If you've dipped even a toe into the world of anti-ageing skincare, you've probably heard of retinol. It's the gold-standard ingredient for smoothing fine lines, fading pigmentation and boosting collagen. But it's also notoriously difficult for sensitive skin types. Hello, redness, flakiness and irritation.

Enter: retinal. And no, that's not a typo.

Retinol and retinal are both forms of vitamin A, but they differ in how your skin processes them. Your skin has to convert both into retinoic acid before they get to work. Retinol takes two conversion steps. Retinal only takes one. That means retinal works faster and tends to deliver results more efficiently.

The best part? Despite being more potent, retinal is often less irritating than retinol. Thanks to clever formulations — especially in K-beauty — it can be more effective and gentler at the same time, helping tackle texture, pigmentation and early ageing without triggering a full-blown skin freakout.

So basically: more glow, less flaking. What a concept.

The K-Secret Seoul 1988 Serum: Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng.

The K-Secret Seoul 1988 range is small (and you won't find anything over $42), but the handful of products they do offer are backed by hundreds of thousands of five-star reviews.

If you're not sure where to start, the Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng Serum is the standout.

Here's the product in all its glory.

Image: Lila Beauty.

It contains two per cent encapsulated retinal (again, a more potent but gentler cousin of retinol) paired with black ginseng extract, which is loaded with antioxidants. The formula is also packed with niacinamide, bakuchiol, peptides and vitamin C to target everything from fine lines and uneven skin tone to dullness.

It's also formulated and tested by dermatologists, which makes it ideal for sensitive skin types like mine.

Some of the benefits you can expect include soothing and anti-inflammatory effects (usually within the first two weeks), brightening (within four to eight weeks), improved hydration (from day one), anti-ageing benefits (in around eight to sixteen weeks), and smoother texture and tone (in four to twelve weeks).

How to use the K-Secret Seoul 1988 Serum: Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng.

Before you go slathering it on, here's how to get the most out of the serum, minus the irritation.

Firstly, start slow. Even though this serum is designed to be gentler than your average retinoid, it's still powerful. If you're new to vitamin A, try using it one to two nights a week to start.

Also, always apply it at night, after cleansing and patting your skin dry. One pump is all you need — apply a thin layer across your face, avoiding the eye area. Follow with a nourishing moisturiser to lock it all in.

On retinal nights, keep the rest of your routine simple. Avoid exfoliating acids and harsh actives — your skin doesn't need the extra stress.

And of course, as always, wear SPF the next day. No excuses. Retinal can increase sun sensitivity, so daily sun protection is absolutely essential.

If you're worried about sensitivity, try the 'retinal sandwich' method: moisturiser, then serum, then another layer of moisturiser. It helps buffer the active and is especially helpful if your skin leans dry or reactive.

Where to buy the K-Secret Seoul 1988 Serum: Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng.

There are heaps of K-beauty retailers in Australia. You can find this serum at Amazon, Adore Beauty, Myer, YesStyle or Nudie Glow.

That said, if you've read any of my other Korean beauty reviews, you'll know my go-to is Lila Beauty. Their shipping within Australia is quick, and they frequently have great discounts.

A 30ml bottle of the K-Secret Seoul 1988 Retinal Liposome Serum usually retails for $35, but Lila Beauty stocks it for $22.50 (and often throws in extra promotions on top of that). 

K-Secret Seoul 1988 Serum: Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng review.

For context, I have extremely sensitive, combination skin — an oily T-zone and dry patches everywhere else. I also deal with monthly hormonal breakouts.

I'm not going to sugar-coat it: I was terrified of using this product. As I mentioned earlier, severe retinol trauma.

So, erring on the side of caution, I cleansed my face using Sulwhasoo's Gentle Cleansing Mousse Foam, dried it off, then applied a thin layer of the serum using the sandwich method — layered between Go-To's Very Luxe Face Cream (my winter MVP moisturiser).

I've been using it for two months now, and the results? Not a single sight of purging. No peeling. No irritation. Not even a flake.

Instead, my pigmentation has visibly faded, my monthly breakouts have settled down, my concealer doesn't crease around my smile lines, and my skin just looks… fresher. And this is even after sitting under a blasting office heater all day.

It's also brilliantly priced. Most vitamin A products sold through Mecca or Sephora sit between $60 and a few hundred bucks. So, considering you get 30ml of this retinal serum for $35 (or $22.50 on sale), you're saving a fair chunk of cash to put towards other important things… like a holiday.

Yes, I'm only a few weeks in, but I've officially shaken off my retinoid PTSD and am now retinal's number one fan girl. It's genuinely made me fall back in love with vitamin A — and I never thought I'd say that.

So, if you've been retinol-curious but too scared to take the plunge, this could be the perfect starting product for you.

Have you heard of or tried K-Secret Seoul 1988's range? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

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Feature image: Supplied.