Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum VI vs Dr.Althea 0.1 Gentle Retinol Serum

Sulwhasoo

First Care Activating Serum VI

Dr.Althea

0.1 Gentle Retinol Serum

A serum built around Centella asiatica and Vitamin C derivative, for hydration and barrier repair.

A serum built around Panthenol and Retinoid, for barrier repair and smoothing.

Serum

50 ingredients

32 ingredients

Brand price

USD 89.00 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

USD 23.90 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand country not recorded

Brand from South Korea

At a Glance

They come out differently on Fragrance-free, EU-allergen-free, Alcohol-free, Silicone-free and Oil-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Key Ingredients

Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol
Vitamin C derivative (stable)1
Stable derivatives of ascorbic acid.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Centella asiatica (Cica)1
Centella asiatica (cica), used to calm irritation.
Madecassoside
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid

Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol
Bakuchiol1
A plant-derived ingredient studied as a retinol alternative.
Bakuchiol
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
Retinoid1
Vitamin A derivatives that speed cell turnover.
Retinol

Benefits

Hydrating10
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Betaine, Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Butylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Honey, Propanediol, Propylene Glycol, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair6
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Betaine, Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Glyceryl Caprylate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Propylene Glycol, Tocopherol
Reduces Irritation3
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Madecassoside, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Madecassoside, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract

Hydrating6
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Panthenol, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair10
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Bakuchiol, Borago Officinalis Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dibutyl Adipate, Glycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Panthenol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tocopherol
Reduces Irritation4
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Panthenol, Salvia Sclarea Extract
Redness Reducing3
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Salvia Sclarea Extract

Concerns

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis2
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Hydrogenated Lecithin, PPG-13-DECYLTETRADECETH-24
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Irritation8
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Alcohol Denat., Citral, Citronellol, Fragrance, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, Tocopherol

May Trigger Acne4
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Glycine Soja Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Oleate, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis5
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Glycine Soja Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Oleate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris4
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Glycine Soja Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Oleate, Tocopherol
May Worsen Oily Skin1
May increase shine or excess oil.
Glycine Soja Oil

Ingredients Side-by-side

Show highlights for:

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol Denat.
Fragrance
0 / —
- Denatured alcohol
- May Worsen Dryness
- May Worsen Eczema
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Rosacea
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Betaine
Humectant
0 / —
- Hydrating
1,2-Hexanediol (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
Emollient
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Viscosity Controlling
Propanediol
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
- Hydrating
Carbomer
Gel Forming
1 / 0
PPG-13-DECYLTETRADECETH-24
Cleansing
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Dibutyl Adipate
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Panthenol (provitamin B5)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Reduces Irritation
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
3 / 0
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- 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
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Occlusive
1 / 1
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
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 →
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 →
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent
We don't have a description for 1,2-Hexanediol yet.
Learn more about 1,2-Hexanediol →
Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →
Disodium EDTA
Chelating, Viscosity Controlling
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
Learn more about Disodium EDTA →
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Hydrogenated Lecithin →
Tocopherol
Antioxidant, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Occlusive
Tocopherol is vitamin E.
Learn more about Tocopherol →