VT Cosmetics Cica Reti-A Essence 0.5 Versus COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil
Updated on January 07, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 3 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain retinoid and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
VT Cosmetics Cica Reti-A Essence 0.5 57 ingredients
COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil 10 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
VT Cosmetics Cica Reti-A Essence 0.5 57 ingredients
COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil 10 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventHydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate 0.5%
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyacrylate-13
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBetaine
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingPolyisobutene
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Hydroxystearic Acid
Cleansing
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Phosphate
BufferingTrehalose
HumectantBHT
Antioxidant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
BHA
Antioxidant
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Water, Butylene Glycol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Dimethicone, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate 0.5%, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyacrylate-13, Carbomer, Betaine, Panthenol, Tromethamine, Polyisobutene, Ethylhexylglycerin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Polysorbate 20, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Gluconolactone, Bakuchiol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hydroxystearic Acid, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Ascorbic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Retinol, Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Phosphate, Trehalose, BHT, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Propolis Extract, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, BHA, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Disodium EDTA, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolRetinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.
Why is retinol famous?
It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.
Retinol is proven to:
This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).
Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
We recommend speaking with a medical professional about using this ingredient during pregnancy.
Retinol may cause irritation in some people, so be sure to patch test. Experts recommend 'ramping up' retinol use: start using this ingredient once a week and work up to using it daily.
Read about Tretinoin
Learn more about RetinolBHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
VT Cosmetics Cica Reti-A Essence 0.5 57 ingredients
COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil 10 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
VT Cosmetics Cica Reti-A Essence 0.5 57 ingredients
COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil 10 ingredients
Bought this for my face but saw zero results. Now I'm using this for my uner eyes.
Broke me out
I have oily and acne prone skin and my face was on the road to recovery. I thought adding a retinol was a good idea and they marketed that this retinol oil is good for any skin type even though it is oily. It broke me out and gave me a scar within a week. It gave me an acne that was deep inside of my skin. I wouldnt recommend it to oily and acne prone skin people.
