Gracie

innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars​ vs Kiehl's Since 1851 Truly Targeted Acne-Clearing Liquid Pimple Patch with Salicylic Acid

innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars​ scores 9.6/9.8 vs Kiehl's Since 1851 Truly Targeted Acne-Clearing Liquid Pimple Patch with Salicylic Acid at 6.7/9.8. innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars​ wins for hydration.

Head to head

innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars​
innisfree

Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars​

serummid-range
9.6
VS
Kiehl's Since 1851 Truly Targeted Acne-Clearing Liquid Pimple Patch with Salicylic Acid
Kiehl's Since 1851

Truly Targeted Acne-Clearing Liquid Pimple Patch with Salicylic Acid

serummid-range
6.7

Score comparison

innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars​ takes this one, winning 3 of 5 attributes.

3
2
innisfree wins 3
Tied 2
Kiehl's Since 1851 wins 0
9.6innisfree
+2.9vs
6.7Kiehl's Since 1851

Scores last verified: July 2026

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

innisfree WINS
9.8
3.7
innisfree
Kiehl's Since 1851

Irritation Risk

TIE
9.5
9.5
innisfree
Kiehl's Since 1851

Active Ingredient Strength

innisfree WINS
6.4
4.6
innisfree
Kiehl's Since 1851

Ingredient Transparency

innisfree WINS
8.5
7.8
innisfree
Kiehl's Since 1851

Formulation Safety

TIE
9.0
9.0
innisfree
Kiehl's Since 1851

Ingredient face-off

9% overlap
35innisfree
3Shared
11Kiehl's Since 1851

Why innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars​ comes out ahead

Where innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars​ really shines is hydration efficacy, scoring 9.8 compared to Kiehl's Since 1851 Truly Targeted Acne-Clearing Liquid Pimple Patch with Salicylic Acid's 3.7. With Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, and Betaine in its top ingredients, innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars​ delivers stronger moisture-binding capability.

Active Ingredient Strength is another area of separation. innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars​ scores 6.4 here versus 4.6 for Kiehl's Since 1851 Truly Targeted Acne-Clearing Liquid Pimple Patch with Salicylic Acid. That difference comes down to how each formula is built — the ingredient list tells the story.

innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars​ brings Niacinamide, Allantoin, and Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate as actives, while kiehl's Since 1851 Truly Targeted Acne-Clearing Liquid Pimple Patch with Salicylic Acid relies on Gluconolactone, Niacinamide, and Glycolic Acid. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.

Best for your skin type

innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars​ is better if you have

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

Kiehl's Since 1851 Truly Targeted Acne-Clearing Liquid Pimple Patch with Salicylic Acid is better if you have

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

Value comparison

Both sit in the mid-range bracket, so value comes down to formulation quality. innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars​ gets the nod here with its 9.6 overall score — you're getting more for a similar outlay.

Our verdict

✶ Our verdict
+2.9 lead

innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars​ wins this comparison with a meaningfully stronger ingredient profile and overall score.

9.6innisfree
vs
6.7Kiehl's Since 1851

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars​ or Kiehl's Since 1851 Truly Targeted Acne-Clearing Liquid Pimple Patch with Salicylic Acid?

Based on ingredient analysis, innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars​ scores higher overall. See the full score breakdown above for details on each attribute.

Do innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars​ and Kiehl's Since 1851 Truly Targeted Acne-Clearing Liquid Pimple Patch with Salicylic Acid 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 Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars​ and Kiehl's Since 1851 Truly Targeted Acne-Clearing Liquid Pimple Patch with Salicylic Acid?

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