Innisfree Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule
A retinol ampoule buffered with centella, which is the standard Korean approach to retinoids: pair the active with a soothing botanical and pitch it at people nervous about irritation. Retinol has the strongest evidence of any cosmetic ingredient for the look of fine lines and texture, and it is also the one most likely to make skin flake, sting and go red in the first weeks. The opaque, air-restricting packaging matters, because retinol degrades in light.
What it is built around
Who it suits
Normal, combination, oily and mature skin ready to start a retinoid and wanting a gentle entry point. Useful for the appearance of fine lines, rough texture and congestion. Not for sensitive or barrier-compromised skin without a slow build, and not for anyone pregnant or breastfeeding — that is a conversation for a clinician, and the general advice is to avoid retinoids entirely.
How to use it
Evening only, on dry skin after cleansing, starting two nights a week. A small amount, avoiding the eye area and the corners of the nose. Moisturiser over the top, or under it if you need to buffer. Build up over weeks, not days. Daily sunscreen is mandatory — retinoids raise sun sensitivity and undo themselves without it.
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We describe products from public information and rank ingredients, never take payment for placement. Formulas change — always read the current ingredient list on the pack you buy.
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🙋 People also ask
What is cica or centella in skincare?
Cica is short for Centella asiatica, a plant also called tiger grass and widely used in Korean skincare to soothe the look of redness and support a comfortable, resilient barrier. It's a go-to for sensitive, stressed or breakout-prone skin in calming creams and serums.
What is an ampoule in K-beauty?
An ampoule is a highly concentrated Korean skincare treatment, stronger than a serum, used to target specific concerns like dullness, dryness or fine lines. Applied after essence and before moisturizer, it's typically used in short bursts or when skin needs an extra boost.
What does cica mean in Korean skincare?
Cica is shorthand for Centella asiatica, a botanical used across Korean soothing products. Cica formulas are aimed at the look of redness, irritation and a stressed barrier.
Can I use vitamin C and retinol together?
Not in the same layer, but easily in the same routine — vitamin C in the morning, retinol at night. That split suits both: vitamin C partners with sunscreen, and retinoids are degraded by light.
✍️ Written & reviewed by the KoreaPlus Editorial team — dermatologist-informed, cosmetic-science researched & source-cited. Last reviewed: 2026-08-23.
General educational information using cosmetic structure-function wording — not medical advice. Always patch-test new actives. © KoreaPlus.