Gracie

innisfree Daily Korean Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Soothing Toner Pads for Acne-Prone Skin​ vs Mother Science Retinol Synergist Anti-Aging Treatment Serum with Malassezin + 0.3% Encapsulated Retinol

innisfree Daily Korean Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Soothing Toner Pads for Acne-Prone Skin​ scores 9.3/9.8 and Mother Science Retinol Synergist Anti-Aging Treatment Serum with Malassezin + 0.3% Encapsulated Retinol scores 9.1/9.8 — a near-tie where your skin type decides the winner.

Head to head

innisfree Daily Korean Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Soothing Toner Pads for Acne-Prone Skin​
innisfree

Daily Korean Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Soothing Toner Pads for Acne-Prone Skin​

serummid-range
9.3
VS
Mother Science Retinol Synergist Anti-Aging Treatment Serum with Malassezin + 0.3% Encapsulated Retinol
Mother Science

Retinol Synergist Anti-Aging Treatment Serum with Malassezin + 0.3% Encapsulated Retinol

serumluxury
9.1

Score comparison

These two are neck and neck — just 0.2 points apart.

1
4
innisfree wins 1
Tied 4
Mother Science wins 0
9.3innisfree
vs
9.1Mother Science

Scores last verified: July 2026

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

innisfree WINS
8.6
7.8
innisfree
Mother Science

Irritation Risk

TIE
9.5
9.5
innisfree
Mother Science

Active Ingredient Strength

TIE
6.4
6.4
innisfree
Mother Science

Ingredient Transparency

TIE
8.5
8.5
innisfree
Mother Science

Formulation Safety

TIE
9.0
9.0
innisfree
Mother Science

Ingredient face-off

30% overlap
33innisfree
10Shared
29Mother Science

Why these two are neck and neck

These two serums take different paths to a similar destination. Both formulas include solid hydrating ingredients, and the overall scores reflect that — the gap here is genuinely slim.

innisfree Daily Korean Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Soothing Toner Pads for Acne-Prone Skin​ brings Niacinamide, Centella Asiatica Extract, and Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate as actives, while mother Science Retinol Synergist Anti-Aging Treatment Serum with Malassezin + 0.3% Encapsulated Retinol relies on Retinol, Tocopherol, and Ceramide Np. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.

Best for your skin type

innisfree Daily Korean Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Soothing Toner Pads for Acne-Prone Skin​ is better if you have

  • Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
  • Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Glycereth-26
  • Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations

Mother Science Retinol Synergist Anti-Aging Treatment Serum with Malassezin + 0.3% Encapsulated Retinol is better if you have

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

Value comparison

At mid-range pricing with a score of 9.3, innisfree Daily Korean Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Soothing Toner Pads for Acne-Prone Skin​ delivers strong value. Mother Science Retinol Synergist Anti-Aging Treatment Serum with Malassezin + 0.3% Encapsulated Retinol sits at the luxury level with a 9.1 score — the extra cost doesn't translate to better scores here.

Our verdict

✶ Our verdict

It's a close call — both products score within 0.3 points of each other. Your choice depends on your specific skin concerns.

9.3innisfree
vs
9.1Mother Science

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: innisfree Daily Korean Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Soothing Toner Pads for Acne-Prone Skin​ or Mother Science Retinol Synergist Anti-Aging Treatment Serum with Malassezin + 0.3% Encapsulated Retinol?

Based on ingredient analysis, innisfree Daily Korean Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Soothing Toner Pads for Acne-Prone Skin​ scores higher overall. See the full score breakdown above for details on each attribute.

Do innisfree Daily Korean Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Soothing Toner Pads for Acne-Prone Skin​ and Mother Science Retinol Synergist Anti-Aging Treatment Serum with Malassezin + 0.3% Encapsulated Retinol share ingredients?

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

What's the main difference between innisfree Daily Korean Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Soothing Toner Pads for Acne-Prone Skin​ and Mother Science Retinol Synergist Anti-Aging Treatment Serum with Malassezin + 0.3% Encapsulated Retinol?

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