Seoul 1988: Why Encapsulated Retinal Is Easier to Live With

Seoul 1988 keeps its ingredient lists short and its formulas free of fragrance, parabens and harsh alcohols. That restraint matters more than it sounds when the thing you are applying is retinal.

The liposome part is the point

Retinal is potent. It converts to retinoic acid in a single step, which makes it roughly eleven times faster than retinol — and correspondingly more likely to irritate.

Encapsulating it in a liposome slows the release. Instead of the full dose hitting the skin at once, it is delivered gradually over hours. Same active, same destination, far less of the sting and peeling that makes most people quit inside a fortnight.

That is not a marketing distinction. It is the difference between a product you keep using and one that sits in a drawer.

Snail mucin, for the other nights

The range also carries snail mucin, which is the sensible companion — hydrating, calming and safe on the nights you are not using retinal. More at Snail Mucin.

A small, focused range

Not a catalogue. That is deliberate and it makes choosing easy.

Where to start

The retinal if you are ready for it — two nights a week, dry skin, moisturiser after, sunscreen every morning. Snail mucin if you are not.

Browse Seoul 1988 or read Retinol vs Retinal.