innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule vs Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner
innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule scores 8.5/9.8 and Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner scores 8.5/9.8 — a near-tie where your skin type decides the winner.
Head to head
Retinol Cica Ampoule
Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner
Score comparison
These two are neck and neck — just 0.0 points apart.
Scores last verified: July 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
innisfree WINSIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
innisfree WINSIngredient Transparency
TIEFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
29% overlapOnly in innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule
17 unique
Shared ingredients
7 in common
Only in Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner
13 unique
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.
Active Ingredient Strength is another area of separation. innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule scores 6.4 here versus 4.6 for Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner. 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 paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner relies on Salicylic Acid, Adenosine, and Allantoin. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.
Best for your skin type
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
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner is better if you have
- Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
- Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations
Value comparison
At budget pricing with a score of 8.5, innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule is a decent pick. Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner sits at the mid-range level with a 8.5 score — the extra cost doesn't translate to better scores here.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule or Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner?
Based on ingredient analysis, innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule scores higher overall. See the full score breakdown above for details on each attribute.
Do innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule and Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner 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 Retinol Cica Ampoule and Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner?
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.