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Product photo: cosrx.com (official brand store). The pack size shown may differ from the Korean 20ml.
The Retinol 0.1 Cream
A fragrance-free 0.1% retinol cream in a small 20ml tube, cushioned with shea butter, plant oils, panthenol and trehalose for people starting vitamin A.
Buyer verdictA sensible first retinol: a clear strength, a comfortable base and no fragrance. It won't be strong enough for experienced retinol users. Seoul is roughly half the Amazon price per ml.
- Key ingredient
- Retinol (0.1%), Caprylic/capric triglyceride, shea butter, soybean and sunflower oils
- Texture
- Soft, light cream
- Routine step
- treatment · PM
- Korean pack
- 20ml
Overview
Key ingredients
- Retinol (0.1%) Vitamin A for fine lines, texture and clogged pores
- Caprylic/capric triglyceride, shea butter, soybean and sunflower oils A cushioning base that reduces dryness
- Panthenol, trehalose and allantoin Help offset retinol irritation
- Tocopheryl acetate, tocotrienols and BHT Antioxidants that protect the retinol from breaking down
From the US, it's 46% cheaper in Seoul after tax and refund. From the UK, it's 49% cheaper in Seoul.
What it is
The Retinol 0.1 Cream is part of COSRX’s “The” line, which builds each product around one stated active. It comes in a small 20ml tube, a sensible size for retinol, which works best fresh.
The Korean ingredient list puts retinol at 0.1% in the middle of a moisturising cream base. That base is caprylic/capric triglyceride, glycerin, shea butter, soybean oil and sunflower seed oil, with panthenol, trehalose and allantoin to keep skin comfortable. The formula also contains a group of antioxidants: tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), tocotrienols, BHT and sodium sulfite, which help stop retinol from degrading. Small amounts of carrot extract, beta-carotene and vitamin C forms round it out.
Korea registers it as a functional cosmetic for wrinkle care.
Who it suits (and who should skip it)
Good pick if
- You’re new to retinol and want a clear, moderate strength
- You’d rather have retinol in a cream than a serum
- You want a fragrance-free option
Skip it if
- You’re pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding
- You already use 0.3% retinol or a prescription retinoid; this will feel weak
- Your skin is currently irritated or sunburnt
What the ingredients do
Retinol is converted in the skin into retinoic acid, the form that does the work. Over months, it speeds up cell turnover, which helps with rough texture, clogged pores and fine lines. It’s one of the best-researched anti-ageing ingredients available without a prescription. The trade-off is irritation at the start: dryness, flaking or redness are common in the first weeks.
The cream base is designed to soften that. Oils and shea butter cushion the skin, and panthenol, trehalose and allantoin support hydration and calm. The antioxidants aren’t there for your skin so much as for the retinol, which breaks down with air and light.
How to use it
Use it at night only. After cleansing and any toner, wait until your skin is dry, then apply a pea-sized amount to the whole face, avoiding the eyes, nostrils and mouth corners. Follow with moisturiser, or mix the two if your skin is sensitive.
Start two or three nights a week, and don’t use it on the same night as acid toners or exfoliating pads. Use sunscreen every morning while using retinol.
How it compares
Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum is a serum alternative that adds retinal and bakuchiol, but it contains fragrance. Innisfree Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule is a gentler, centella-heavy option. For the eye area, Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum is designed to be milder.
Is it worth buying in Seoul?
Yes. Olive Young’s 20ml tube is the same size as Amazon UK and close to Amazon US’s 19ml listing. Adjusted per ml, Seoul works out around half the price of both.
One tube clears the ₩15,000 tax refund minimum on its own. At 20ml it fits easily in carry-on liquids.
FAQ
Is 0.1% retinol strong?
It's a low-to-moderate strength. Many beginner products use 0.01% to 0.1%, and stronger over-the-counter creams go up to about 1%. 0.1% is a good place to start.
How often should I use it?
Start two or three nights a week. If your skin is fine after two to three weeks, move to every other night, then nightly.
Is it safe during pregnancy?
Retinoids are generally avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Ask your doctor.
Does it contain fragrance?
No. The Korean label lists no fragrance or essential oils.
