Shop SeoulCeuticals 1% Retinol Night Serum with 97.5% Snail Mucin 1oz
Serum
SeoulCeuticals

1% Retinol Night Serum with 97.5% Snail Mucin 1oz

~$22· 1oz
Fine lines & firmnessRadianceRednessDryness

Evidence behind the ingredients

Real citations from our research database — one per tracked active in this product. Click any ingredient name to read its full evidence dossier.

RetinolStrong evidence12 citations

Speeds up how fast your skin renews itself so old, dull cells shed faster and fresher skin shows through. Builds collagen over time, smoothing fine lines.

SCCS Revision of the Scientific Opinion on Vitamin A (Retinol, Retinyl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate), SCCS/1639/21, final version adopted 24-25 October 2022

2022Safety assessmentSCCS/1639/21View source ↗

MFDS Approved Functional Cosmetic Active — Retinol (anti-wrinkle). Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cosmetic Functional Active Ingredient List — listed alongside Adenosine, Retinyl Palmitate, and Polyethoxylated Retinamide in the Korean Functional Cosmetics Codex anti-wrinkle category

2020Regulatory approvalMFDS:Retinol-AntiWrinkleView source ↗

MFDS Approved Functional Cosmetic Active — Retinyl Palmitate (anti-wrinkle, retinol ester form). Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cosmetic Functional Active Ingredient List — Retinyl Palmitate explicitly listed in the Korean Functional Cosmetics Codex anti-wrinkle category alongside Retinol, Polyethoxylated Retinamide, and Adenosine

2020Regulatory approvalMFDS:RetinylPalmitate-AntiWrinkleView source ↗
BakuchiolModerate evidence6 citations

A plant-based alternative to retinol. Smooths fine lines and evens tone with much less irritation, making it safer for sensitive skin.

Fanning N et al., Human Clinical Trials Using Topical Bakuchiol Formulations for the Treatment of Skin Disorders: A Systematic Review, Journal of Drugs in Dermatology 2024;23(4):239-243 — bakuchiol trials suggest efficacy but are methodologically limited (mostly uncontrolled, combination formulations)

2024Meta-analysis — mixedPMID:38564402View source ↗

Hu L et al., Effect and Mechanism of Tricholoma matsutake Extract Combined with Bakuchiol and Ergothioneine on UVB-Induced Skin Aging, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2024

2024Mechanism onlyPMID:39014903View source ↗

Puyana C et al., Applications of Bakuchiol in Dermatology: Systematic Review of the Literature, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2022

2022Meta-analysis — positivePMID:36176207View source ↗
Snail MucinModerate evidence6 citations

A Korean-skincare staple that hydrates, soothes, and helps surface damage heal faster. Especially nice on dehydrated or post-acne skin.

Sekar D et al., From Slime to Sublime: The Impact of Snail Mucin on Scar Therapy and Wound Healing in Dermatology, Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology 2025

2025Mechanism onlyPMID:40920056View source ↗

Puaratanaarunkon T et al., Efficacy and safety of a facial serum containing snail secretion filtrate, Calendula officinalis, and Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract in the treatment of maskne: A randomized placebo-controlled study, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2022;21(10):4470-4478 — 12-week RCT (n=66): snail-secretion-filtrate serum significantly reduced inflammatory acne lesions

2022Positive — efficacyPMID:35763437View source ↗

McDermott M et al., Advancing Discovery of Snail Mucins Function and Application, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology 2021

2021Mechanism onlyPMID:34708024View source ↗
+3 more ingredients
PropolisModerate evidence7 citations

A bee-made resin that's antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. Calms breakouts and hydrates at the same time.

Chantadee T et al., In Situ Thai Apis mellifera Propolis Film as Potential Protective Phytopharmaceuticals Against UVB-Induced HaCaT Keratinocyte Damage, Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2026

2026Mechanism onlyPMID:42198354View source ↗

Watanabe C et al., Tyrosinase inhibitory activity of propolis from Jeju Island, Korea, Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry 2025;89(6):787-794 — in-vitro: 70% ethanol extract of Jeju propolis + main component xanthoangelol showed strong competitive tyrosinase inhibition, supporting propolis as melanogenesis-inhibiting active

2025Mechanism onlyPMID:40042981View source ↗

Effect of propolis on wound healing in sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease: a randomized controlled clinical trial, 2021 — accelerated wound healing from week 1 with greater effect days 14-28 vs control

2021Positive — efficacyPMID:34602433View source ↗
Vitamin EModerate evidence6 citations

A workhorse antioxidant that defends your skin from daily oxidative damage. Pairs especially well with vitamin C, and it's in nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.

Neves JR et al., Efficacy of a topical serum containing L-ascorbic acid, neohesperidin, pycnogenol, tocopherol, and hyaluronic acid in relation to skin aging signs, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2022;21(10):4462-4469 — tocopherol-containing antioxidant serum reduced pollution-induced damage and improved aging signs

2022Positive — efficacyPMID:35150043View source ↗

Warshaw EM et al., Patch Testing With Tocopherol and Tocopherol Acetate: The North American Contact Dermatitis Group Experience, 2001 to 2016, Dermatitis 2021;32(5):308-318 — 15-year NACDG data: positive patch-test reactions to tocopherol rare given widespread cosmetic use

2021Safety assessmentPMID:34238818View source ↗

Lin FH et al., Ferulic acid stabilizes a solution of vitamins C and E and doubles its photoprotection of skin, Journal of Investigative Dermatology 2005;125(4):826-832 — ferulic acid + vit C + vit E combo doubled photoprotection vs C+E alone (cross-listed; same paper cited for Ferulic Acid and Vit C)

2005Positive — efficacyPMID:16185284View source ↗
Hyaluronic AcidStrong evidence7 citations

A pure hydrator that holds water in your skin. Makes skin look plumper and smoother almost immediately.

Bravo B et al., Benefits of topical hyaluronic acid for skin quality and signs of skin aging: From literature review to clinical evidence, Dermatology and Therapy 2022;12(12):2657-2680 — HA-based cosmeceuticals reliably improve hydration and signs of skin aging

2022Meta-analysis — positivePMID:36200921View source ↗

Lee SG et al., Hyaluronan Oligosaccharides Improve Rosacea-Like Phenotype through Anti-Inflammatory and Epidermal Barrier-Improving Effects, Annals of Dermatology 2020

2020Mechanism onlyPMID:33911737View source ↗

An JH et al., Anti-Wrinkle Efficacy of Cross-Linked Hyaluronic Acid-Based Microneedle Patch with Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 and Epidermal Growth Factor on Korean Skin, Annals of Dermatology 2019;31(3):263-271 — cross-linked HA microneedle patches improved wrinkles on Korean skin with minimal discomfort

2019Positive — efficacyPMID:33911590View source ↗

Sources: PubMed · KCI · J-Stage · CNKI · Wanfang · SFD · MFDS · Cochrane · SCCS · CIR. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for what each outcome label means.

Layering conflicts

Ingredients in this product that can react with common actives. Avoid stacking unless noted.

  • Retinol + salicylic acid can over-exfoliate and damage the barrier. Alternate nights.

  • Retinol + glycolic acid is a classic barrier-buster. Use on different nights.

  • Retinol + lactic acid is gentler than glycolic but still alternate nights to be safe.

  • Retinol + mandelic acid — alternate nights to preserve barrier integrity.

  • Benzoyl peroxide can break down retinol. Use one in the morning and the other at night, or pick a stabilized formula made to combine them.

  • Vitamin C and retinol work best at different pH levels. Use vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night.

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