Vanishing Fine Lines | K-Secret Seoul 1988 Boosting Serum Collagen Complex 7 + Red Ginseng Review
KSECRET is beloved for their natural, simple aesthetic formulas that combine natural K-Beauty products with sensitive-skin friendly ingredients. Their most famous serum is the Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng, which provides deep hydration, whilst boosting fine lines with retinal, vitamin C and powerful black ginseng. Ginseng is a favourite of K-Beauty for its powerful antioxidants that help refresh skin cells, boost healing and lifting fine lines. Where black ginseng is used to calm inflammation and refresh cells, however, red ginseng is more traditionally used for hydration and boost natural elasticity and collagen.
But red ginseng is not the most exciting part of this new serum by KSECRET – instead it boasts 7 different types of collagen, to deeply plump and refresh skin. This ranges from collagen that sits on top of skin to seal in deep moisture, to deep-absorbing collagen which rebuilds skin elasticity, lifts fine lines and boosts natural skin elasticity. So, how does this serum work in practice – is it the secret to deep hydration and boosted collagen? Let’s find out!
What's in the Bottle?
1 Collagen Water: forms a lightweight hydrating base for the cosmetic, which helps seal in moisture into the skin barrier for a long-lasting moisturizing barrier.
Niacinamide: brightening vitamin B3 that helps even dark spots, lighten skin tone and leaves a lasting, glowing effect.
2 Atelocollagen: collagen molecule that has been broken up into low molecular weight to absorb well into skin, whilst being low irritation to skin cells for a deep hydration and improved elasticity.
3 Desamido Collagen: Carefully processed collagen that is specially formulated to adhere to skin, forming a protective film that improves skin texture and structure, for stronger and firmer skin.
4 Hydrolyzed Collagen: Collagen that has been broken into fragments to absorb well into skin, providing smaller structures to boost natural cell elasticity for better bounce and lifting of fine lines.
Sodium Hyaluronate: natural water humectant that helps draw water into skin barrier for long-lasting moisture and plumping effect.
Panax Ginseng Root: rich in antioxidants and healing molecules that help refresh and boost skin cell health, whilst improving natural hydration for a plumper, glowing look.
5 Collagen: Large molecule that helps seal skin barrier and ensures hydration is sealed into skin for plump, long-lasting moisture and more youthful appearance.
6 Collagen Amino Acids: collagen molecules that have been broken down to their original building blocks, which provides skin cells the ingredients to build their own collagen for naturally plumper and smoother skin.
7 Procollagen: the precursor to collagen, with a molecular mass of 117kDa to be more absorbable through the skin, able to be transformed into collagen within skin cells for a boost of elasticity.
Cyanocobalamin: soothes inflammation and swelling, whilst improving natural skin repair for refreshed, stronger and vibrant skin texture.
Ceramides: small molecules that help fill cracks in skin barrier to prevent hydration loss and generate softer, silky skin.
Tocopherol: rich antioxidant that helps nourish and strengthen skin barrier, whilst boosting natural UV protection.
Glutathione: hydrating molecule that inhibits melanin formation on skin, for more even and light skin texture.
Who Should Avoid?
This serum is fairly friendly as far as anti-aging formulas, with very limited potential for irritation. It essentially is a variety of collagen molecules that absorb to different degrees for topical skin hydration, as well as boosting fine lines deeper in skin. It's safe for almost all skin types, even dry and sensitive skin, but is most likely to be beneficial for individuals with fine lines or dry skin (it tackles dehydration on a variety of levels for deep, long-lasting moisture).
Least beneficial to individuals with oily skin or generally well hydrated skin.
The Results
I have sensitive skin with fine lines – and am always looking for light, hydrating formulas (so this one seemed perfect). Whether or not collagen of different weights was likely to create a quick difference was under the test. It’s a light, airy and soft pink serum (the pink comes from the cyanocobalamin – vitamin B12), which absorbs really well when added to skin. It’s non-irritating, can be used morning and night and was easy to add to my routine overall. I used it for two weeks and was surprised at the results.
This peptide serum is not as dramatic as other similar serums in creating immediate firmness and reduction of fine lines. This is likely as there is limited ‘active’ ingredients that are attempting to create quick results. This serum is likely best suited to sensitive skin that needs a gentle boost of hydration and if you're happy to see results over a longer period of time. I didn't see a massive shift over using it for two weeks - but it was gentle, hydrating and did help improve fine lines from dehydration.
I would really recommend this serum if you've seen irritation from retinol, spicules or other aggressive serums - to provide nourishment and hydration to fine lines with a gentle formula.
Final Thoughts
This serum is a great addition to any dehydrated skin or fine lines. It’s gentle enough to be safe for sensitive skin and is most likely to provide benefit for individuals who are sensitive to retinol or find more aggressive formulas irritating. It’s really hydrating and light and great for any routine.
Looking for more hydrating and refreshing skincare for your fine lines? Check out the natural and friendly range from KSECRET available on Arktastic~!
Excited for more skincare tips and blogs? We've got you covered with the story of collagen and what the real benefits are for your skin. Or check out our review on the soothing Celimax Vita-A Retinol Serum (perfect for fine lines)
