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Dr. Althea Vitamin C… vs Innisfree Retinol Ci… — Which Is Better? | Gracie

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/Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum
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Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum vs Innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule

Innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule scores 8.7/9.8 vs Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum at 8.1/9.8. Innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule wins for hydration.

Head to head

Dr. Althea

Vitamin C Boosting Serum

serum

8.1

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Ingredients

Niacinamide
Retinol
Hyaluronic Acid
Salicylic Acid

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Honest skincare intel. No jargon, no gatekeeping — just the ingredients decoded.

Innisfree

Retinol Cica Ampoule

serumbudget

8.7

Score comparison

Innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule edges ahead, winning 1 of 5 attributes.

Dr. Althea wins 1

Tied 3

Innisfree wins 1

8.1Dr. Althea

+0.6vs

8.7Innisfree

Scores last verified: April 2026

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

Innisfree WINS

6.5

9.2

Dr. Althea

Innisfree

Irritation Risk

TIE

9.5

Dr. Althea

Innisfree

Active Ingredient Strength

Dr. Althea WINS

6.8

6.4

Dr. Althea

Innisfree

Ingredient Transparency

TIE

8.8

Dr. Althea

Innisfree

Formulation Safety

TIE

9.0

Dr. Althea

Innisfree

Ingredient face-off

42% overlap

36Dr. Althea

15Shared

24Innisfree

Only in Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum

21 unique

Dipropylene Glycol 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate Xanthan Gum Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract+11 more

Shared ingredients

15 in common

Water Butylene Glycol Niacinamide Panthenol 2-Hexanediol Propanediol Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Carbomer Tromethamine Ethylhexylglycerin+5 more

Only in Innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule

9 unique

Glycerin Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Pentylene Glycol Hydrogenated Lecithin Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate Retinol Madecassoside Asiaticoside Centella Asiatica Extract

Why Innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule comes out ahead

Where Innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule really shines is hydration efficacy, scoring 9.2 compared to Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum's 6.5. With Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, and Pentylene Glycol in its top ingredients, Innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule delivers stronger moisture-binding capability.

Active Ingredient Strength is another area of separation. Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum scores 6.8 here versus 6.4 for Innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule. That difference comes down to how each formula is built — the ingredient list tells the story.

Innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule brings Niacinamide, Tocopherol, and Retinol as actives, while dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum relies on Niacinamide, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, and Adenosine. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.

Best for your skin type

Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum is better if you have

Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations

Innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule is better if you have

Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Butylene Glycol
Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations

Value comparison

Innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule comes in at budget pricing with a 8.7 score, which is solid value at that tier.

Our verdict

✶ Our verdict

+0.6 lead

Innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule edges ahead with a slightly stronger formulation, but Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum is still a solid pick.

8.1Dr. Althea

8.7Innisfree

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum or Innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule?

Based on ingredient analysis, Innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule scores higher overall. See the full score breakdown above for details on each attribute.

Do Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum and Innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule share ingredients?

Yes, they share common ingredients. Check the ingredient face-off section above for a detailed comparison.

What's the main difference between Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum and Innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule?

The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.

Full analysis: Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum→Full analysis: Innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule→

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