Innisfree Retinol Cica All-in-One Review: Worth It, or Buy the Ampoule?
Innisfree Retinol Cica All-in-One (레티놀 시카 포맨 모공 흔적 올인원) is a new men’s face essence in a 150 ml pump bottle, sold in Korea as Retinol Cica For Men Repair All-in-One, which is the English name printed on the bottle. It pairs three retinoids with centella (cica) to finish a routine in one step, which Korean brands call skip-care. The ad copy talks about a “3X retinol complex,” but only retinol gets an amount.
Innisfree announced it on September 30, 2026, and it’s already among Olive Young’s best sellers. So I read the Korean label and set it against the same line’s ampoule.
What Innisfree announced on September 30
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Product | Retinol Cica For Men Repair All-in-One, 150 ml |
| Launch | Announced September 30, 2026, sold at Olive Young and Innisfree stores in Korea |
| Pitched for | Men’s pores, sebum and skin right after shaving; “all skin” on the Olive Young product notice |
| Made by / sold by | Cosvision (manufacturer), Innisfree (responsible seller) |
| Functional cosmetic | No. The notice says the MFDS (Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety) functional-cosmetic review doesn’t apply |
| Directions | 1 to 2 pumps after washing or shaving; finish with sunscreen in the daytime |
| Shelf life | 36 months |
| Price in Korea | 30,000 won list, 19,500 won on sale (about $14.60) |
It averages 5 out of 5 from 399 shopper reviews on Olive Young Korea (October 31, 2026). That’s an early sample, so I wouldn’t lean on it. Per Naver DataLab Shopping Insight, clicks on 올인원 (all-in-one) in Naver’s beauty category rose about 16% over the four full weeks to October 25, compared with the four weeks before.
Retinol at 300 IU/g: what the label prints
Retinol is the only retinoid with an amount: 300 IU/g. IU stands for international units, the way Korean labels count vitamin A. One IU of retinol equals 0.3 micrograms, so 300 IU/g works out to 90 micrograms per gram, or 0.009%.
For scale, Korea’s functional-cosmetic rules list retinol at 2,500 IU/g, or 0.075%, for wrinkle-care products that can skip extra data submission. My retinol skincare guide explains that number. This all-in-one sits at about 12% of that line. It isn’t a registered functional cosmetic, so it makes no wrinkle claim. The ampoule carries the functional mark, though its notice doesn’t say which claim it covers.
For another yardstick, IOPE’s retinol serum prints 509 IU/g. That is about 0.015%, or 20% of the 2,500 IU/g line, so this essence sits below it.
The same line’s Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule tells a different story. Its label prints 1,000 IU/g (0.03%). A footnote adds the rest of the “3X Retinol Complex”: retinal at 0.005% and hydroxypinacolone retinoate (HPR) at 0.005%. The all-in-one has no such footnote. It does list retinal and HPR, but with no amounts. Position isn’t a measurement, so I can’t tell how much of either is in the bottle.
I’d treat this as a light retinoid add-on to a routine, not a retinol product in the usual sense. At 19,500 won that’s fine with me. But if you want the dose printed on the label, I’d pick the ampoule, which prints 1,000 IU/g plus 0.005% each of retinal and HPR.
New bottle vs the ampoule and the older Forest For Men
Innisfree already sold a men’s all-in-one, the Forest For Men Pore Care All-in-One Essence (포레스트 포맨 포어 케어 올인원 에센스). I compared the new label with it and with the Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule, which Korea calls the Pore Mark Ampoule (모공 흔적 앰플). Olive Young Global sells that ampoule as the Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule, and its English ingredient list matches the Korean notice line for line, including the 3X Retinol Complex footnote. I read all three labels on October 31, 2026.
| New all-in-one (150 ml) | Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule (30 ml) | Forest For Men all-in-one (100 ml) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Names on the label | 45 | 36 | 32 |
| Retinol | 300 IU/g (29th) | 1,000 IU/g (22nd) | None |
| Retinal and HPR | Listed (32nd, 31st), no amounts | 0.005% each (27th, 26th) | None |
| Niacinamide | 17th | 4th | None |
| Centella leaf water | 17,712 ppm (3rd) | 17,712 ppm (5th) | None |
| Ceramide NP | 34th | 29th | None |
| Fragrance, limonene, linalool | None listed | None listed | All three listed |
| Phenoxyethanol | None listed | None listed | Listed (22nd) |
| Functional cosmetic (per notice) | No | Yes | No |
Verdict: against Forest For Men, the new bottle drops fragrance and phenoxyethanol and adds retinoids, centella and niacinamide. Against the ampoule, it keeps the same three retinoids and centella but carries less than a third of the retinol.
Centella, niacinamide and the rest of the base
Water comes first, then butylene glycol, then Centella Asiatica Leaf Water. The label prints that one at 17,712 ppm. One ppm is 0.0001%, so that’s about 1.77%. The ampoule prints the same figure. A separate Centella Asiatica Extract sits 40th at 1 ppm, which is a trace amount.
Niacinamide is 17th with no amount printed. Order alone doesn’t give a measurement, but 17th of 45 suggests a modest share, far lower than the ampoule’s 4th. Ceramide NP (34th) and hyaluronic acid (35th) are further down. Glycerin, betaine and trehalose are the main water-binders near the top.
Dimethicone (8th) is a silicone that adds slip, and carbomer and other thickeners lower on the list help set the texture. Innisfree’s press release calls it moist like a hydrating essence, with a fresh, non-sticky finish. I can’t check feel from a label.
What to check on the 45-name label
- No fragrance, no ethanol, no phenoxyethanol. I read all 45 names and found none of the three. Ethylhexylglycerin, glyceryl caprylate and 1,2-hexanediol are commonly used to help preserve formulas.
- Cornmint leaf extract (24th). It’s Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, a mint. If mint has bothered your skin before, check for it.
- Capryloyl salicylic acid (42nd). It’s a salicylic acid derivative with no amount printed. If you avoid salicylic acid, note it.
- Three plant oils. Sunflower seed oil (20th), soybean oil (21st) and rice bran oil (45th). Carrot extract (25th) and beta-carotene (37th) also appear.
- Retinoids and sun. The brand’s own directions say to finish with sunscreen in the daytime. If you’re pregnant or have sensitive skin, check with a dermatologist before using any retinoid.
Ad claims vs the label
Innisfree’s press release names two headline features: a “3X Retinol Complex” and “3X Jeju Cica.” It also says the product scored 0.00 on a primary skin irritation test. It adds that sensitive-skin and dermatologist tests are done.
- 3X Retinol Complex. All three retinoids are on the label: retinol, HPR and retinal. Only retinol has an amount, and it’s 300 IU/g.
- 3X Jeju Cica. The label shows centella leaf water at 17,712 ppm and centella extract at 1 ppm. I couldn’t tell what the “3X” refers to from the label.
- Irritation and dermatologist tests. These are the brand’s statements. I couldn’t see the test reports, so I can’t confirm them.
Which skin type the formula leans toward
By label, this reads as a light lotion-essence for normal to oily or combination skin, since water, glycols and a silicone lead the list and I found no butters or waxes. Dry skin may want a cream on top, since the oils sit mid-list or low. Sensitive skin should patch test first, because three retinoids, a mint extract and a salicylic acid derivative share one bottle. This is a reading of the ingredients, not a skin test. Texture and feel are personal, so check reviews from people with your skin type.
Innisfree Retinol Cica All-in-One price in Korea, and where it’s official
| Where | Size | List price | Sale price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olive Young Korea, bottle | 150 ml | 30,000 won (about $22.47) | 19,500 won (about $14.60) |
| Olive Young Korea, set | 150 ml + free cleansing foam (30 g) | 30,000 won (about $22.47) | 19,500 won (about $14.60) |
| Olive Young Global, Sephora US, Innisfree US | – | Not listed | Not listed |
| Olive Young Global, older Forest For Men set | 100 ml + 25 ml essence + 30 g foam | – | US$34.00 |
| Olive Young Global, ampoule Double Pack | 30 ml x 2 | US$56.00 | US$32.54 |
| Olive Young Korea, ampoule double set | 30 ml x 2 | 48,000 won (about $35.95) | 27,900 won (about $20.89) |
I checked on October 31, 2026. I converted won at the ECB rate of 1,335.27 won per dollar from October 30. The bottle works out to about 130 won per ml on sale and 200 won per ml at list price. On the day I checked, the bottle-only option showed as temporarily sold out. The set with the free foam was available at the same price. Prices move with promotions, so check again before you order.
The official channels are Olive Young and Innisfree stores in Korea, per the brand’s release. I found no listing on Olive Young Global, Sephora US, Innisfree’s US site or Amazon US. So there is no Korea-vs-US label to compare yet. If a third-party seller says it has this product abroad, I couldn’t find an official source to match it against. Olive Young Global does sell the older Forest For Men set and the Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule. If the ampoule is what you want, its Global double pack costs about 56% more than Korea’s sale price in the table.
AHC and Round Lab: other men’s all-in-ones on the same shelf
| Innisfree Retinol Cica | AHC Pro Shot Only For Men Bubble | Round Lab For Men 1025 Dokdo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size and sale price | 150 ml, 19,500 won (about 130 won/ml) | 100 ml, 19,900 won (about 199 won/ml) | 200 ml x 2 set, 33,000 won (about 83 won/ml) |
| Retinoids | Retinol 300 IU/g, HPR, retinal | Retinol (42nd), HPR (45th), no amounts | None |
| Fragrance | None listed | Listed (19th) | None listed |
| Niacinamide / panthenol | Niacinamide 17th | Niacinamide 4th, panthenol 8th | Panthenol 17th |
| Format | Pump essence | Bubble spray with CO2 propellant | Fluid |
| Functional cosmetic (per notice) | No | Yes | No |
Of the three, Innisfree is the only one with retinoids and no fragrance. AHC puts niacinamide and panthenol higher, but it lists fragrance. Round Lab skips retinoids and costs the least per ml, which suits someone who wants a plain, fragrance-free all-in-one.
The short version
Innisfree’s new Retinol Cica All-in-One lists three retinoids but prints only one amount: retinol at 300 IU/g. That’s about 12% of Korea’s 2,500 IU/g wrinkle-care standard and under a third of the same line’s ampoule. It has no fragrance or ethanol listed and costs 19,500 won on sale in Korea, with no official overseas listing I could find.
Some links on Haamoni may be affiliate links. If you buy through one, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post is not medical advice.
Sources
- Innisfree press release, via Global Biz News (2026-09-30)
- Innisfree press release, via Special Times (2026-09-30)
- Olive Young Korea product page and product information notice, new all-in-one (checked 2026-10-31)
- Olive Young Korea: Innisfree Retinol Cica Pore Mark Ampoule (Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule abroad) 30 ml double set (checked 2026-10-31)
- Olive Young Korea: Innisfree Forest For Men all-in-one essence set (checked 2026-10-31)
- Olive Young Korea: AHC Pro Shot Only For Men Anti-Aging Bubble All-in-One Essence (checked 2026-10-31)
- Olive Young Korea: Round Lab For Men 1025 Dokdo All-in-One Fluid (checked 2026-10-31)
- Olive Young Global: Innisfree Forest For Men All-In-One Essence set (checked 2026-10-31)
- Olive Young Global: Innisfree Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule 30ml Double Pack (checked 2026-10-31)
- Korea, Regulation on the Examination of Functional Cosmetics, Annex 4, current version (law.go.kr)
- MFDS cosmetic ingredient database (data.go.kr)
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin A fact sheet (IU conversion)
- Naver DataLab Shopping Insight, beauty category, keyword 올인원 (checked 2026-10-31)
- Frankfurter (ECB reference rate), USD/KRW on 2026-10-30
