Home / Moisturizers / innisfree Retinol Cica Barrier Defense Cream
innisfree Retinol Cica Barrier Defense Cream
By Nur → Last verified 11/3/2026
Price checked 11/3/2026
Verified 2026-11-03 on YesStyle: $30.47. Prices change often, so confirm on the retailer's page.
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What we found
Based on how this product compares to others in the moisturizers category, cross-referenced against retailer listings and market data.
Strengths
- + Gentle-dose retinol — annotated 500 IU/g (about 0.015%) on the ingredient list — chosen for tolerance
- + Pairs the retinol with the full cica triterpene set and phytosterols for barrier support
- + Fragrance-free gel-cream, light enough for oily and combination skin
- + Recognized as a wrinkle-improvement functional cosmetic in Korea, with brand irritation and non-comedogenic tests completed
- + Backed by 1,000+ Hwahae reviews at 4.54 and a Hwahae soothing-moisturizer trend award
Worth knowing
- - The retinol dose is deliberately low, so experienced users looking for a stronger retinoid may find it too mild
- - A small share of reviewers still report a harsh or irritated feeling
- - Daytime use calls for sunscreen, as with any retinoid product
Key ingredients
These are the ingredients innisfree highlights for this product, cross-checked against general dermatological and cosmetic-chemistry sources, not a full INCI list.
Fragrance: confirmed fragrance-free.
| Ingredient | What it is | What it does for skin |
|---|---|---|
| Niacinamide | A form of vitamin B3, one of the most studied ingredients in cosmetic dermatology. | Strengthens the skin barrier by boosting ceramide production, helps even out tone by limiting pigment transfer to skin cells, and can reduce the look of enlarged pores. |
| Panthenol | Pro-vitamin B5, which converts to pantothenic acid once absorbed into skin. | Hydrates as a humectant, supports wound healing, and has anti-inflammatory, soothing effects on irritated skin. |
| Retinol (500 IU/g | A specific active or extract in this formula. | Not yet independently verified against general dermatology sources. |
| approx. 0.015%) | A specific active or extract in this formula. | Not yet independently verified against general dermatology sources. |
| Asiaticoside | One of centella asiatica's primary triterpenoid glycosides, alongside madecassoside. | Studied for supporting wound healing and collagen synthesis; often included alongside madecassoside for a broader range of centella's soothing and repair-supporting effects. |
| Madecassic Acid | A specific active or extract in this formula. | Not yet independently verified against general dermatology sources. |
| Asiatic Acid | A triterpenoid compound found in centella asiatica, related to but distinct from madecassoside and asiaticoside. | Has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties studied for supporting wound healing, part of centella's broader active-compound profile. |
| Madecassoside | One of centella asiatica's key active compounds, often isolated and purified. | A soothing, antioxidant compound studied for calming sensitive and reactive skin and supporting barrier repair. |
| Phytosterols | A specific active or extract in this formula. | Not yet independently verified against general dermatology sources. |
| Adenosine | A compound naturally present in skin cells, used in skincare as an anti-aging active. | Recognized by South Korea's MFDS as a functional anti-wrinkle ingredient at 0.04% concentration, based on clinical studies showing measurable fine-line improvement; a real but modest effect, not a retinoid substitute. |
What the brand says
innisfree's own marketing claims, not our own findings.
- Gentle-dose retinol - INCI-annotated 500 IU/g, approx. 0.015% - paired with cica triterpenes
- Fragrance-free gel-cream for trouble-prone, sensitive skin
- MFDS functional cosmetic for wrinkle improvement (Korean version)
Research-Based
Our assessment comes from pricing, ingredients, and published information, not personal use, the same standard we apply across the site. This product hasn't been hands-on tested yet. See our Methodology for what that distinction means.
Price history
Current price is the lowest we've recorded so far.
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Frequently asked
How much does innisfree Retinol Cica Barrier Defense Cream cost per mL?
$0.61 per mL (currently $30.47 for 50 mL).
Has innisfree Retinol Cica Barrier Defense Cream been hands-on tested?
Not yet. Our assessment for this product comes from pricing, ingredients, and published information, not personal use, the same standard we apply across the site. See our Methodology for what that distinction means.
Has innisfree Retinol Cica Barrier Defense Cream won any awards?
Yes -- #1 in Hwahae Awards 2023.
What are the key ingredients in innisfree Retinol Cica Barrier Defense Cream?
The ingredients innisfree highlights for this product include Niacinamide, Panthenol, Retinol (500 IU/g, approx. 0.015%), Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Madecassoside, Phytosterols, Adenosine.