innisfree
Gentle Retinol Salicylic Acne SerumMedicube
Retinol NMN Boosting SerumA serum built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for barrier repair and hydration.
A serum built around Retinoid and Vitamin E, for barrier repair and hydration.
Brand price
USD 34.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 26.00 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site

At a Glance

They come out differently on Cruelty-free; that row is shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Key Ingredients

Centella asiatica (Cica)3
Centella asiatica (cica), used to calm irritation.

Benefits

Hydrating11
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Beta-Glucan, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide NP, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Propanediol, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair12
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Betaine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Phytosphingosine, Tocopherol
Reduces Irritation6
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Beta-Glucan, Madecassic Acid, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Redness Reducing6
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Niacinamide, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Hydrating13
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Beta-Glucan, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide NP, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Panthenol, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Squalane, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair16
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide NP, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cholesterol, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Squalane, Tocopherol
Reduces Irritation8
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Beta-Glucan, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Madecassic Acid, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Panthenol
Redness Reducing6
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Madecassic Acid, Niacinamide

Concerns

May Trigger Acne3
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis8
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Ceramide NP, Glycine Soja Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis15
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Ceramide NP, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
May Worsen Oily Skin3
May increase shine or excess oil.
Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Squalane

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin (in both products)
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Emollient
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Hydrogenated Lecithin (in both products)
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water
Antiplaque, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Learn more about Water →Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →Butylene Glycol
Fragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
Learn more about Butylene Glycol →Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent
We don't have a description for 1,2-Hexanediol yet.
Learn more about 1,2-Hexanediol →Hydrogenated Lecithin
Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Hydrogenated Lecithin →Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Viscosity Controlling
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer is a copolymer of ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate and vinylpyrrolidone monomers
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer →Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Fragrance, Perfuming, Occlusive, Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is the mixed triester of glycerin and caprylic and capric acids.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride →Cholesterol
Light Stabilizer, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Cholesterol may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Cholesterol →Allantoin
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
Learn more about Allantoin →
Similar Comparisons
Each product against its closest dupes.
- View the comparison

innisfree
Gentle Retinol Salicylic Acne Serum

innisfree
Retinol Cica Moisture Recovery Serum - Facial Serum
- View the comparison

Medicube
Retinol NMN Boosting Serum

Medicube
Deep Reviving Bakuchiol Retinol Serum
- View the comparison

innisfree
Gentle Retinol Salicylic Acne Serum

Isntree
Hyper Retinol EX 1.0 Serum
- View the comparison

Medicube
Retinol NMN Boosting Serum

Medicube
Vita A Retinal Volume Booster Serum