Gracie

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

innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule
innisfree

Retinol Cica Ampoule

serumbudget
8.5
VS
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner
Paula's Choice

Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner

serummid-range
8.5

Score comparison

These two are neck and neck — just 0.0 points apart.

2
3
innisfree wins 2
Tied 3
Paula's Choice wins 0
8.5innisfree
vs
8.5Paula's Choice

Scores last verified: July 2026

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

innisfree WINS
9.2
6.6
innisfree
Paula's Choice

Irritation Risk

TIE
9.5
9.5
innisfree
Paula's Choice

Active Ingredient Strength

innisfree WINS
6.4
4.6
innisfree
Paula's Choice

Ingredient Transparency

TIE
8.8
8.8
innisfree
Paula's Choice

Formulation Safety

TIE
9.0
9.0
innisfree
Paula's Choice

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

✶ 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.

8.5innisfree
vs
8.5Paula's Choice

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.