Description
What it is
The Retinol Cica Moisture Recovery Serum is innisfree’s entry-level retinol treatment. It blends retinol with the soothing compounds of centella asiatica (often called cica) and a small amount of salicylic acid, in a milky serum that also carries ceramide, cholesterol and plant oils for cushioning. Sephora Canada lists it under the name Gentle Retinol Cica Moisture Recovery Serum.
The brand’s goal is to give first-time retinol users a smoother-looking, more refined skin texture without the flaking that stronger formulas can cause. innisfree says it helps visibly improve rough texture and calls it non-comedogenic, vegan and free of fragrance and drying alcohol. The retinol percentage is not published.
Key ingredients
- Retinol: a vitamin A derivative that the brand includes to help visibly improve rough skin texture, fine lines and firmness over time
- Asiaticoside, madecassic acid and asiatic acid: the active compounds of centella asiatica, used to soothe and calm skin that is adjusting to retinol
- Salicylic acid: a BHA that helps clear buildup inside pores; present in a small amount near the end of the list
- Ceramide NP, cholesterol and phytosphingosine: barrier lipids that help offset the dryness retinol can cause
- Niacinamide: high in the list, supporting a smoother, more even-looking complexion
- Hyaluronic acid and beta-glucan: humectants that keep the serum feeling hydrating rather than drying
Product details
| Brand | innisfree (Amorepacific group), South Korea |
|---|---|
| Line | Retinol Cica |
| Size | 30 mL |
| Format | Light milky serum with pump |
| Main concerns | Rough texture, visible pores, early fine lines |
| Skin types | All skin types, including acne-prone, according to the brand |
| When to use | Evening to start; the brand allows morning and evening use once skin is used to it, with SPF by day |
| Fragrance | Formulated without fragrance, according to the brand |
| Amazon ASIN | B0BGHY6D2X |
How to use
- Cleanse and tone, then let skin dry.
- Pump one to two times into your fingertips.
- Spread over the face and neck, avoiding the eye area and lips.
- Follow with a moisturizer.
- If you use it in the morning, finish with a broad-spectrum sunscreen.
New to retinol? Start with two or three evenings a week and increase slowly over a month. Any vitamin A product can make skin more sensitive to the sun, so daily SPF matters, such as the Daily UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 50+.
Who it suits
It is aimed at people in their twenties and thirties who want to try retinol for the first time, and at oily or combination skin types who want help with texture and congested pores. Because it also carries ceramide and cholesterol, it is a reasonable choice for people who found other retinols too drying. Read our best Korean skincare for sensitive skin guide if your skin reacts easily.
Who should be careful
Retinol is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so ask your doctor first. Avoid using it on the same night as strong exfoliating acids or other retinoids, and skip it on sunburned, broken or freshly waxed skin. The formula contains soybean and sunflower oils, which some people with fungal acne avoid. Mild dryness or tingling in the first weeks is common; persistent burning means you should stop.
Patch test first. Apply a small amount to the inner forearm or behind the ear and wait 24 to 48 hours before using it on the face.
Full ingredient list
Water / Aqua / Eau, Glycerin, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Dibutyl Adipate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Cholesterol, Allantoin, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract, Asiatic Acid, Retinol, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Hyaluronic Acid, Mannitol, Ceramide NP, Carbomer, Beta-Glucan, Beta-Carotene, Phytosphingosine, Salicylic Acid, Acacia Senegal Gum, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Propylene Glycol Alginate.
No fragrance or denatured alcohol appears on this list, which matches the brand’s fragrance-free claim. It contains soybean oil, so people with a soy allergy should be cautious.
Frequently asked questions
Is Innisfree Retinol Cica Serum good for beginners?
Yes, that is how the brand positions it. The retinol is paired with centella compounds and barrier lipids to make the first weeks easier, though gradual introduction is still wise.
Can I use it in the morning?
innisfree’s directions allow morning and evening use, followed by sunscreen in the morning. Many people prefer evenings only, at least at first.
Does it help with acne?
It contains a little salicylic acid and is described as non-comedogenic, which may help with congested pores, but it is not marketed as an acne treatment.
Can I use it with vitamin C?
To keep irritation low, a common approach is vitamin C in the morning and this retinol serum at night.
Learn more
Learn how to slot a retinol into a simple routine in our Korean skincare routine for beginners, or compare it with other options in our best Korean skincare products in Canada guide.
Ingredient lists can change between batches and markets. Always check the box you receive. This page is an independent guide; melaxin.ca does not sell products directly.
