[My Take!] Comparing Retinol Skincare Part 3
*This article contains PR.
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[1. KISO Pure Hydroquinone 8% Formulation]
■ Main Ingredients
・Pure Hydroquinone 8%
・Moisturizing ingredients
■ Features
An "intensive spot care" type.
Rather than retinol, this is more of an
aggressive care item
formulated with hydroquinone.
For those concerned about dullness, the appearance of dark spots, or localized uneven skin tone.
Since it contains 8% pure hydroquinone, it is
quite aggressive.
My impression is that it is for those accustomed to advanced skincare.
■ Suitable Skin Types
・Those accustomed to advanced skincare
・Those concerned about dullness
・Those who want to do spot care
・Those who want intensive care
■ Suitable Uses
・Dullness care
・Dark spot appearance care
・Spot care
・Intensive nighttime care
■ Not Recommended For
・Sensitive skin
・Beginners
・Those who want to use it over a wide area
・Those who are sensitive to irritation
■ Cost Performance
Not bad.
If used for spot treatment,
it is a type that is easy to use for a very long time.
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[2. NOWL Needle Dual Serum]
■ Main Ingredients
・Retinol
・Exosomes
・Hyaluronic acid
・Moisturizing ingredients
■ Features
A "needle serum x retinol" type.
A needle-type serum that
combines retinol, exosomes, and hyaluronic acid.
A type that makes it easy to broadly target
pores, firmness, and hydration.
Since it is a two-layer serum,
it has a special feel
that is different from regular retinol serums.
■ Best for skin types
・People concerned about pores
・People concerned about lack of firmness
・Dry skin
・People accustomed to advanced skincare
■ Recommended uses
・Pore care
・Firmness
・Moisturizing
・Anti-aging care
・Active skincare
■ Not recommended for
・Sensitive skin
・People who dislike needle-based skincare
・People prone to irritation
・Beginners
■ Cost-performance
Not bad.
In terms of the special nature of its ingredients and usage feel,
it is geared toward active skincare.
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[③ Chocola BB Hythiol Wrinkle Melano Booster]
■ Main ingredients
・Tranexamic acid
・Niacinamide
・D-Pantothenyl alcohol
・Moisturizing ingredients
■ Features
A "medicated booster serum" type.
It is not a retinol product,
but a quasi-drug serum
focused on dark spots, wrinkles, and boosting.
Formulated with tranexamic acid and niacinamide,
it is for those looking to target
clarity and aging skin care.
It is also glycerin-free.
■ Best for skin types
・Combination skin
・Oily skin
・People concerned about dark spot appearance
・People wanting to focus on wrinkle improvement care
■ Recommended uses
・Booster skincare
・Clarity care
・Wrinkle improvement care
・Brightening care
・Aging skin care
■ Not recommended for
・People looking for retinol-based products
・People who prefer rich, moisturizing textures
・People with dry skin who prioritize a dewy feel
■ Cost-performance
Quite good.
It is a type that is easy to use daily
as a booster serum.
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[④ COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil]
■ Main Ingredients
・Pure Retinol 0.5%
・Vitamin E
・Squalane
■ Features
A "pure retinol oil-based" product.
COSRX Retinol 0.5% Serum.
Since it is an oil type,
you can easily focus on
moisturizing while using retinol.
0.5% pure retinol is
a bit on the aggressive side for beginners.
For those who are already used to retinol.
■ Suitable Skin Types
・Dry skin
・Combination skin
・Experienced retinol users
・Those concerned about lack of firmness
■ Recommended Uses
・Firmness
・Pore care
・Anti-aging care
・Moisturizing
・Night care
■ Not Recommended For
・Retinol beginners
・Those with oily skin who dislike oils
・Sensitive skin
・Those who want to use it in the morning
■ Cost Performance
Quite good.
The concentration is easy to use
for experienced retinol users.
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【⑤ Retinol A 1% Advanced Revitalization Cream】
■ Main Ingredients
・Retinol 1%
・Moisturizing ingredients
■ Features
A "high-concentration retinol cream".
A fairly aggressive cream
containing 1% retinol.
For those who want to seriously target
firmness, smoothness, and aging skin care.
However,
1% retinol is strong for beginners.
My impression is that it is for those accustomed to advanced skincare.
■ Suitable Skin Types
・Those accustomed to advanced skincare
・Experienced retinol users
・Those concerned about lack of firmness
・Those who want to do aging skin care
■ Best for
・Firmness
・Wrinkle appearance care
・Smooth skin
・Anti-aging care
・Nighttime care
■ Not recommended for
・Beginners
・Sensitive skin
・Those prone to dryness
・Those who want to use it casually every day
■ Cost-performance
Not bad.
As a high-concentration retinol,
it is for those who want an intensive treatment.
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[⑥ RETICO. High-Concentration Retinol 2%]
■ Main ingredients
・Retinol
・CICA
・Moisturizing ingredients
・Skin conditioning ingredients
■ Features
“High-concentration retinol x CICA type”.
A high-concentration retinol type,
for those looking to target
pores, wrinkle appearance, and firmness.
Since it also contains CICA,
it feels like it focuses on skin conditioning
in addition to active ingredients.
It is also made in Japan and features an additive-free design.
■ Suitable skin types
・Combination skin
・Oily skin
・Those experienced with beauty products
・Those concerned about pores
■ Best for
・Pore care
・Firmness
・Wrinkle appearance care
・Anti-aging care
・Nighttime care
■ Not recommended for
・Beginners
・Sensitive skin
・Dry skin
・Those who easily get irritation from retinol
■ Cost-performance
Quite good.
Looking at it as an intensive treatment,
the ingredient balance is strong.
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[⑦ Innisfree Retinol Cica Repair Serum]
■ Main ingredients
・Retinol
・CICA
・Moisturizing ingredients
・Skin conditioning ingredients
■ Features
“Korean serum type for retinol beginners”.
A popular serum that combines
retinol and CICA.
Among retinol-based products,
it feels relatively easy to use.
For those who want to gently address
pores, prevent breakouts, and smooth out skin texture.
A great option for those looking to start
a retinol routine that isn't too aggressive.
■ Suitable Skin Types
・Normal skin
・Combination skin
・Retinol beginners
・Those concerned about pores
■ Recommended Uses
・Pore care
・Breakout prevention
・Texture care
・Firmness
・Nighttime care
■ Not Recommended For
・Those seeking high-concentration retinol
・Those with very dry skin
・Those who don't get along with Korean cosmetics
■ Cost Performance
Very good.
Easy to use as a
retinol product for beginners.
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[Overall Ranking]
■ For Retinol Beginners
・Innisfree Retinol Cica Repair Serum
・ATIDIMU Premium Men's Skincare
・Hicee Wrinkle Melano Booster
■ For Intensive Skincare
・RETICO. Retinol High Concentration 2%
・Retinol A 1% Advanced Revitalization Cream
・COSRX Retinol 0.5 Oil Serum
■ For Pore Care
・NOWL Needle Dual Serum
・RETICO. Retinol High Concentration 2%
・Innisfree Retinol Cica Repair Serum
■ For Firmness
・COSRX Retinol 0.5 Oil Serum
・NOWL Needle Dual Serum
・Retinol A 1% Advanced Revitalization Cream
■ For Dry Skin
・COSRX Retinol 0.5 Oil Serum
・NOWL Needle Dual Serum
・Innisfree Retinol Cica Repair Serum
■ For Men's Skincare
・ATIDIMU Premium Men's Skincare
■ For Dullness & Targeted Care
・KISO Pure Hydroquinone 8% Formula
・Hicee Wrinkle Melano Booster
Honestly,
when it comes to retinol,
"higher concentration isn't always better"
is what people tend to think.
But in reality,
choosing a concentration that suits your skin is much more important.
In particular,
high-concentration products like 0.5%, 1%, and 2%
are for those who are used to skincare.
If a beginner uses them right away,
they may experience dryness, redness, or stinging.
If it's your first time,
it's safer to start with a gentler retinol product
that contains CICA, like Innisfree.
Conversely,
if you are used to retinol,
COSRX, RETICO., and Retinol A are good candidates
for more intensive skincare.
Hydroquinone and retinol products
are basically suited for nighttime care.
If you use them in the morning or the following morning,
it is recommended to use sunscreen thoroughly.
On days when your skin is feeling sensitive, don't push it,
and it is very important to switch to a focus on moisturizing.
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