Name: K‑SECRET Seoul 1988 Cleansing Oil: Pine Cica 1% + Probiotics
Size: 200 ml
Made in: South Korea
This is an oil‑based cleanser that’s formulated to melt away makeup, sebum, sunscreen, and impurities, while being gentle enough for sensitive or acne‑prone skin. Its key actives are Pine Cica (1%) and Probiotics, which are included to soothe the skin, support the skin barrier, and help maintain skin health.
Here are the main benefits and what the manufacturer claims this product offers:
Deep Cleansing & Makeup Removal: Designed to dissolve heavy makeup, sunscreen, waterproof cosmetics, and daily grime without harsh rubbing.
Pore Care / Sebum Removal: Helps clear out excess sebum, blackheads, whiteheads, and impurities from pores.
Soothing & Barrier Support: Pine Cica (which involves pine leaf extract + Centella Asiatica etc.) is known to help calm irritation, redness, and strengthen the skin barrier. Probiotics help with skin microbiome balance.
Gentle on Skin Types: Especially suitable for sensitive skin, acne‑prone skin, or anyone who wants to avoid harsh cleansers. The formula is meant to cleanse without stripping or over drying.
Light, Non‑Comedogenic Feel: Contains multiple plant oils that are intended to moisturize as they cleanse, without clogging pores.
Here are some of the notable ingredients and their functions:
Ingredient | Role / Function |
---|---|
Pine Cica (1%) (Pinus densiflora leaf extract + Centella Asiatica extract, etc.) | Soothing inflamed or irritated skin, calming redness, repairing barrier. |
Probiotics (glycoproteins etc.) | Helps maintain or restore microbiome balance, strengthen skin barrier, help reduce sensitivity. |
Plant‑based Oils | There are several: macadamia seed oil, olive fruit oil, grape seed oil, sunflower seed oil, jojoba oil. These provide cleansing power (dissolving oils/sunscreen/makeup) plus nourish and moisturize skin. |
Other soothing / skin‑care supportive extracts | E.g. Centella Asiatica, Madecassoside, etc. These help with calming, repairing, anti‑inflammatory benefits. |
The full listed ingredients start with Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbeth‑30 Tetraoleate, various seed oils, extracts, and several skin soothing agents.
To get the best results, here’s how you should use this cleansing oil:
Dry Hands + Dry Face: Begin with your hands and face dry. Put a few pumps of the cleansing oil onto your fingertips.
Massage Gently: Massage over your face in gentle circular motions, especially where you have makeup or sunscreen. This helps dissolve makeup and impurities.
Emulsify: Add a little water to your hands, then continue massaging. The oil will turn milky (this is emulsification). This step helps lift off the oil and dirt.
Rinse Off: Rinse with lukewarm water until all the cleanser is removed. Complete your cleansing routine with a gentle water‑based cleanser if you follow double cleansing (common in Korean skincare).
Sensitive skin types, especially those that get irritated by harsh cleansers.
Acne‑prone or blemish‑prone skin that needs cleansing without over‑stripping.
Anyone wearing makeup / sunscreen daily, including waterproof types.
Those who want a gentle but effective first cleanse (oil cleanse) before a water‑based cleanser.
Skin that needs barrier repair or calming due to climate, over‑use of actives, or environmental stress.
If you have very oily skin, some oil cleansers can feel heavy or may need more careful rinsing; layering with a lightweight foaming or gel cleanser afterward helps.
As with all skincare, patch testing is advisable if sensitive to botanical extracts or new ingredients. Even plant extracts can irritate some people.
Using too much product or not emulsifying properly can leave oily residue. Proper massaging/emulsifying + rinsing is key.
If using in hot/humid climates, ensure your skin doesn’t feel overloaded; maybe use less product or alternate days.
The oil feels smooth, fairly light (given it uses several plant oils) when massaging on dry skin.
Upon emulsification it becomes milky, which is more comfortable to rinse than some heavy oils.
It does not leave a sticky or overly greasy film if used correctly and rinsed well. Many user reviews note it “washed off easily, leaving skin clean and fresh” without oily residue.
From various sources, here is the ingredients list:
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbeth‑30 Tetraoleate, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Butylene Glycol, 1,2‑Hexanediol, Glycoproteins, Madecassoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid.
Note the presence of several soothing and barrier‑friendly botanicals (Centella, madecassoside etc.), plus multiple oils which are nourishing.
No indication of strong fragrance / essential oils, which is good for sensitive skin.
Compared to some standard cleansing oils, this one stands out because:
Pine Cica + Probiotics: The active soothing + barrier support combo helps reduce irritation, while still performing the cleansing function.
Multiple Plant Oils: Rather than a single heavy oil, this blends lighter oils (grape seed, olive, macadamia, sunflower, jojoba) so you get cleansing + nourishment without heaviness.
Emulsifying Formula: It turns milky with water, which means that you can rinse it off cleanly, reducing risk of residue.
Large Size (200ml): Good value in terms of amount; can last nicely.
Gentle Enough for Sensitive / Acne Skin: Many users/reviews say it doesn’t sting, burn, or aggravate.
Here is how you might integrate this cleansing oil for best results:
Evening Routine: Use this as the first step (oil cleanse) if you've been wearing makeup, sunscreen, or exposed to pollution. Follow with a mild foaming/gel cleanser (double‑cleansing).
Morning Routine: If you don’t wear heavy makeup or sunscreen, you might skip oil cleansing in the morning (depending on your skin’s needs). But it can work if you tend to have oily/sweaty skin at night and want a fresh start.
Frequency: Usually daily use is acceptable for those who tolerate oils well and need effective removal of makeup/sunscreen. If sensitive, maybe every other day or less frequently at first until skin adjusts.
Post‑Cleanse Care: Because oils can sometimes leave skin temporarily slick, follow up with toner / essence / moisturizer to balance, plus SPF in the morning.
Here’s a summary of what makes this cleansing oil good—and where it may fall short depending on your skin or preferences:
Pros:
Excellent for removing makeup, sunscreen, and daily grime.
Gentle, non‑irritating thanks to Pine Cica & probiotics.
Nourishing plant oils help skin feel smooth, not stripped.
Emulsifies cleanly, easy to rinse.
Large bottle means good cost‑per‑ml.
Appropriate for many skin types, including sensitive / acne‑prone.
Cons / Considerations:
Price is somewhat premium in Pakistan once shipping/import/taxes are factored.
Could feel heavy or oily for those with very oily skin or in very humid environments, especially if not fully rinsed or if too much product is used.
Some people prefer cleansers that foams or feels “fresh” rather than oil; this is an oil form so texture is different.
As always, even though botanical extracts are soothing for many, some may be allergic; patch testing is important.
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