innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars vs Then I Met You The Giving Essence Brightening & Hydrating Treatment with Niacinimide
innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars scores 9.6/9.8 vs Then I Met You The Giving Essence Brightening & Hydrating Treatment with Niacinimide at 8.6/9.8. 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

The Giving Essence Brightening & Hydrating Treatment with Niacinimide
Score comparison
innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars takes this one, winning 1 of 5 attributes.
Scores last verified: July 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
innisfree WINSIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
Then I Met You WINSIngredient Transparency
TIEFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
23% overlapOnly in innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars
27 unique
Shared ingredients
8 in common
Only in Then I Met You The Giving Essence Brightening & Hydrating Treatment with Niacinimide
24 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 Then I Met You The Giving Essence Brightening & Hydrating Treatment with Niacinimide's 7.3. 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. Then I Met You The Giving Essence Brightening & Hydrating Treatment with Niacinimide scores 7.2 here versus 6.4 for innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars. 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 then I Met You The Giving Essence Brightening & Hydrating Treatment with Niacinimide relies on Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Niacinamide, and Aronia Melanocarpa Fruit 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
Then I Met You The Giving Essence Brightening & Hydrating Treatment with Niacinimide 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
- Targeting specific concerns like aging or uneven tone — Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate does the heavy lifting
Value comparison
innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars comes in at mid-range pricing with a 9.6 score, which is solid value at that tier.
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 Then I Met You The Giving Essence Brightening & Hydrating Treatment with Niacinimide?
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 Then I Met You The Giving Essence Brightening & Hydrating Treatment with Niacinimide 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 Then I Met You The Giving Essence Brightening & Hydrating Treatment with Niacinimide?
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.