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innisfree Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule for sensitive skin

Average

  • HighNormal Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for sensitive skin; other serums fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. 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

  • This product offers moderate treatment for blemishes due to retinol and salicylic acid, which help reduce acne lesions and are suitable for your normal skin type. Glycerin and allantoin provide hydration and soothing effects that support your redness and irritation.
  • Niacinamide and beta-glucan offer additional soothing benefits, making the formula generally safe for your sensitive skin.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.

How to apply

  • Use your serum in the PM routine, starting 3 times a week before building up to daily use if your skin is happy.
  • Apply the serum after cleansing and toning, but before putting on your moisturizer for the best results.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute ⏱ for it to soak in.
  • Since your skin is sensitive and easily irritated, apply the serum on completely dry skin to help keep it calm.
  • Always do a patch test before your first use and avoid getting the serum too close to your eyes .

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 Repair Ampoule work for sensitive skin?

Innisfree Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule works for sensitive skin, though other products fit it better because they provide stronger soothing and hydrating benefits to calm redness and irritation while avoiding any risk of discomfort.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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

Glycerin, allantoin, niacinamide, and beta-glucan make this serum a good fit for sensitive skin by providing soothing effects and hydration that help calm redness and irritation. To fit sensitive skin even better, a product of this type needs calming plant extracts, barrier-repairing ceramides, and antioxidant ingredients that reduce redness and irritation without any risk of irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Retinol do for sensitive skin?

Retinol is often too harsh for sensitive skin and may cause scaling, stinging, and redness. Sensitive skin needs gentle, soothing plant alternatives like bakuchiol that smooth and firm without irritation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Toxicology Letters, 2003

What does Centella Asiatica do for sensitive skin?

Centella asiatica helps calm sensitive skin and keeps it feeling soft by soothing irritation and supporting the skin barrier. It is unlikely to cause trouble and may help reduce redness and discomfort over a few weeks of regular use.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016

Where does it go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?

This treatment goes in the evening routine after your toner and before your moisturizer. Sensitive skin needs products with gentle soothing ingredients like centella asiatica, niacinamide, and ceramides to keep skin calm and hydrated.

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

This treatment is unlikely to irritate your sensitive skin, but combining retinol with vitamin C may cause dryness and redness. To use both safely, apply vitamin C in the morning and reserve this serum for your evening routine.

How often should I use it?

You can use this treatment once a week in the evening to start, and then carefully use it more often if your skin handles it well. This type of product for sensitive skin needs soothing ingredients like Centella Asiatica, niacinamide, and glycerin alongside calming hydration to keep your skin comfortable and smooth.

Facial Plastic Surgery, 2014

Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?

This product is unlikely to cause irritation on sensitive skin due to its soothing ingredients, though the retinol may cause mild purging when you first start using it. An average fit for sensitive skin needs calming components like Centella asiatica and hydrating agents like glycerin to keep the skin smooth and comfortable.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • 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
  • A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.

    BioMed Research International, 2020
  • Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.

    Molecules, 2023
  • 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
  • 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 treatment with 5% vitamin C and 0.1% madecassoside significantly improved clinical scores for wrinkles, suppleness, firmness, roughness, and skin hydration, along with functional and structural remodeling of the elastic fiber network in 20 female volunteers with photoaged skin after 6 months compared to baseline.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2008
  • 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.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.