🇩🇪Germany

innisfree Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule for oily skin

Average

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

Works for oily skin; other serums fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.

Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works

Lovi Assistant explains

  • Offers moderate treatment for blemishes and oily shine on your oily skin, as retinol and salicylic acid work to reduce acne lesions and regulate sebum production.
  • Niacinamide and beta-glucan provide soothing effects, enhancing overall skin comfort and hydration.
  • The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of beneficial components.

How to apply

  • Use this serum in your PM routine. Start by applying it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
  • Apply the serum after cleansing and toning, but right before your moisturizer for the best results.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin. Let it absorb ⏱ for a minute before applying the next product.
  • Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive and you want to target oily shine. This helps control excess oil throughout the night.
  • Avoid the delicate eye area and do a patch test before using the serum for the very first time.

People Say

★4.6Overall rating based on 5.0k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this ampoule is highly recommended as a gentle introduction to retinol, particularly for sensitive skin. Users frequently report that it effectively hydrates and soothes, leading to smoother texture and fewer blemishes without causing irritation. However, individuals with advanced retinol experience may find the concentration too low for significant anti-aging effects, and some note that results can be subtle and require patience.

Highlights

  • Extremely gentle formula Mostly Mentioned
    • “0.0 irritation response for sensitive skin”
    • “super gentle, didn't dry out my skin”
    • “good beginner intro to retinol”
    • “no stinging sensation”
  • Hydrating and moisturizing Often Mentioned
    • “leaves my skin very moisturized”
    • “hydrating formula”
    • “feels like a regular moisture serum”
    • “skin felt hydrated and plump”
  • Lightweight absorption Often Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly”
    • “lightweight and cooling”
    • “non-sticky finish”
    • “glides on like butter”
  • Improves texture/blemishes Sometimes Noted
    • “smoothed out tiny bumps”
    • “faded blemishes slightly”
    • “pores looked smaller”
    • “reduced redness from mask-wearing”
  • Slow or subtle results Sometimes Noted
    • “didn't notice much difference”
    • “takes time to see effects”
    • “too weak for wrinkles”
    • “results are not dramatic”
  • Not for advanced Rarely Noted
    • “concentration is too low”
    • “did zilch for my skin”
    • “weak retinol”
    • “better for beginners only”
  • Pricey for amount Rarely Noted
    • “pricey for amount”
    • “wish they sold refills”
    • “expensive for the size”
    • “quantity is too less”

Sources: lovi.care, yesstyle.com, oliveyoung.com, reddit.com, sephora.in, nykaa.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule work for oily skin?

This ampoule offers moderate treatment for blemishes and oily shine on oily skin, helping to reduce breakouts and regulate oil. Oily skin needs a product with ingredients like niacinamide and zinc to control excess oil and pores, combined with soothing and barrier-supporting ingredients that keep the skin comfortable without clogging it.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?

Retinol and salicylic acid help reduce blemishes and control oily shine on your skin, while niacinamide and beta-glucan keep your skin calm and comfortable. To fit oily skin best, a product of this type needs ingredients like niacinamide and zinc PCA to manage excess oil and pores, paired with barrier-supporting ceramides to maintain hydration without breakouts.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023

What does Retinol do for oily skin?

Retinol helps keep oily skin balanced by managing oil gland activity and improving skin cell turnover. This process helps prevent clogged pores while keeping the skin smooth and clear.

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta, 2012Journal of Dermatological Science, 2013

What does Centella Asiatica do for oily skin?

Centella asiatica helps calm angry breakouts and adds light moisture without feeling heavy on oily skin. It may also reduce redness and balance the skin barrier.

Molecules, 2023Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, 2019

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily skin?

This treatment serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing. Oily skin works best with serums containing salicylic acid, niacinamide, and soothing ingredients to help clear blemishes and control shine.

Can I use this serum with vitamin C, and in what order?

You can use this serum with vitamin C by applying vitamin C in the morning and this treatment at night, as using both at the same time may cause too much irritation on oily skin. Spreading them out helps your skin stay calm while still getting the blemish-fighting benefits.

How often should I use this serum?

Use this treatment in your evening routine. Oily skin works best with an oil-balancing and blemish-clearing serum that also provides soothing hydration and retinol.

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?

This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause harsh irritation on oily skin, as it features soothing ingredients that help keep skin calm. However, because it contains retinol, it may cause mild initial purging as it works to clear blemishes. Oily skin often benefits most from lightweight treatments packed with salicylic acid and oil-controlling ingredients.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Twice daily application of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream provided comparable efficacy to benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in reducing inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions in 150 Caucasian subjects with mild-to-moderate acne over 56 days, while demonstrating superior skin tolerability.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
  • The use of a salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic significantly reduces the needed quantity of benzoyl peroxide without impacting efficacy in mild to moderate acne, and as maintenance post-benzoyl peroxide allows a significant reduction of acne relapse compared to vehicle.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023
  • Skin care regimens containing beta-glucan improved hemoglobin index, skin hydration, and transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in 20 patients undergoing fractional laser therapy.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
  • Hyaluronic acid extracts are safe and efficacious products for skin repair when used in tissue regeneration alone or in combination with herbal or Western medicine.

    Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015
  • Topical 0.4% retinol significantly increased epidermal thickness, dermal vascularity, and extracellular matrix production by stimulating keratinocyte proliferation, endothelial cell proliferation, and fibroblast activation in naturally aged human skin compared to vehicle.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017
  • Topical bakuchiol 0.5% applied twice daily compared with retinol 0.5% applied daily significantly decreased wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation with no statistical difference between the compounds in 44 patients over 12 weeks, while retinol users reported more facial skin scaling and stinging.

    The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019
  • Silicone particles encapsulating retinol increased its half-life by 9-fold and yielded 12-23% lower skin irritation in human subjects compared to Microsponge particles while maintaining biological activity.

    Journal of Controlled Release, 2018
  • Topical application of 0.05% w/w ECa 233 gel reduced erythema index by 0.03 U and improved early crusting and general wound appearance compared to placebo in thirty individuals undergoing facial laser resurfacing.

    Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2020
  • A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
  • Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
  • Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
  • Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.

    The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008
  • Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.

    Dermatologic Surgery, 2005
  • Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
  • Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.

    Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022
  • Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.

    BMC Oral Health, 2019

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Dibutyl Adipate, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Vp Copolymer, Sunflower Seed Oil, Cholesterol, Allantoin, Soybean Oil, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Propanediol, Carrot Extract, Ethylhexyl-Glycerin, Adenosine, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract, Asiatic Acid, Retinol, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Mannitol, Ceramide Np, Beta-Glucan, Beta-Carotene, Phytosphingosine, Bht, Salicylic Acid, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11

Behind this fit score

Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

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Prices checked 5 Nov 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for Germany.

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