innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars scores 9.6/9.8 vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane at 5.9/9.8. innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars wins for hydration.
Head to head
Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars
Score comparison
innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars takes this one, winning 3 of 5 attributes.
Scores last verified: July 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
innisfree WINSIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
innisfree WINSIngredient Transparency
innisfree WINSFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
9% overlapOnly in innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars
32 unique
Only in The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
6 unique
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 The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane's 3.8. 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 3.4 for The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane. 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 the Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane relies on Retinol, Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Extract, and Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract. 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
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane is better if you have
- Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
- Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations
Value comparison
At mid-range pricing with a score of 9.6, innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars delivers strong value. The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane sits at the budget level with a 5.9 score — the extra cost doesn't translate to better scores here.
Our verdict
innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars wins this comparison with a meaningfully stronger ingredient profile and overall score.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars or The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane?
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 The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane 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 The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane?
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.
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