Cica Reti-A Essence 0.3

VT Cosmetics

Where to buy Possibly in stock

About this product

The VT Cosmetics Cica Reti-A Essence 0.3 is a serums, essence, ampoule. Our analysis of its 57 ingredients (46 low-risk) rates it Excellent (96/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone and dry skin. Heads up: it contains fragrance, which can irritate sensitive or reactive skin.

Vegan-friendly Reef-safe

Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.

At a glance

Type
Serums, Essence, Ampoules
Ingredients
57
Low-risk
46
Fragrance
Contains fragrance
Origin
South Korea

The evidence

Quick Product Notes

Paraben-Free Sulfate-Free Alcohol-Free Silicone-Free EU Allergen-Free Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Safe

Notable Effects & Ingredients

No Notable Effects & Ingredients

Ingredients Related to Skin Types

Good   Bad — tap a skin type to see which ingredients · estimated from ingredient functions
Dry Skin 18/8
Good for dry skin
Gluconolactone Glyceryl Stearate Betaine Behenyl Alcohol Cetearyl Alcohol Cetyl Ethylhexanoate Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 Caprylyl Glycol Butylene Glycol Sodium Hyaluronate Trehalose Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil Dimethicone Lecithin Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
Caution for dry skin
Centella Asiatica Extract Sorbitan Isostearate Stearic Acid Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate Hydroxystearic Acid Polysorbate 20 Lecithin
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin 1/1
Good for oily/acne-prone skin
Retinol
Caution for oily/acne-prone skin
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Sensitive Skin 7/8
Good for sensitive skin
Madecassoside Centella Asiatica Extract Asiaticoside Dimethicone Allantoin BHT BHA
Caution for sensitive skin
Gluconolactone Stearic Acid Asiaticoside Butylene Glycol Tromethamine BHT Retinol BHA

Ingredients list

57 total
Lower hazard (1) Higher hazard (9)
All57 Skin Conditioning45 Emollient12 Viscosity Controlling10 Fragrance9 Emulsion Stabilising9 Emulsifying9 Humectant8 Antioxidant6
EWG CIR Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions Notes
1
Water
(Solvent)
1
A
Butylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscositydecreasing Agent, Humectant, Masking, Viscosity Controlling)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
A
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
(Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling)
1
Dimethyl Isosorbide
(Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
1,2-Hexanediol
(Solvent)
1
A
Niacinamide
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing)
1
B
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient)
1
A
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
(Binding Agent, Skin Conditioning Agent Occlusive, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emollient, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Glyceryl Stearate
(Emollient, Emulsifying)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Emulsifying, Surfactant)
1
A
Behenyl Alcohol
(Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Emollient, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
(Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emollient, Skin Conditioning)
Bad for Oily Skin
Bad for Oily Skin
3
A
Dimethicone
(Antifoaming Agent, Skin Protecting, Emollient, Skin Conditioning)
Silicone
Silicone
1
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Emulsifying, Surfactant)
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
(Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Stearic Acid
(Fragrance, Sufactant, Emulsifying, Surfactantsurfactant Cleansing Agent Is Included As A Function For The Soap Form Of Stearic Acid., Emulsion Stabilising, Masking, Refatting)
Bad for Oily Skin
Bad for Oily Skin
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
A
Cetearyl Alcohol
(Emulsion Stabilising, Opacifying, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Increasingagent Aqueous, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emollient, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling)
2
Polyacrylate-13
(Film Forming)
1
A
Carbomer
(Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling)
1
B
Betaine
(Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Antistatic Agent, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Panthenol
(Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
2
A
Tromethamine
(Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Masking)
1
A
Polyisobutene
(Binding Agent, Film Forming, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Ethylhexylglycerin
(Deodorant, Skin Conditioning)
1
B
Centella Asiatica Extract
(Cleansing, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing, Soothing, Tonic)
Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate
(Emulsion Stabilising, Slip Modifier, Surface Modifier)
1
Adenosine
(Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Sodium Hyaluronate
(Skin Conditioning, Humectant)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
1
A
Allantoin
(Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing)
Good for Oily Skin
Good for Oily Skin
Good for Sensitive Skin
Good for Sensitive Skin
3
B
Polysorbate 20
(Emulsifying, Surfactant)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
1
Gluconolactone
(Fragrance, Humectant, Solvent)
1
Bakuchiol
(Cosmetic Biocide, Antimicrobial)
1
B
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
(Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Sorbitan Isostearate
(Emulsifying, Surfactant)
1
A
Hydroxystearic Acid
(Cleansing, Emulsifying, Surfactant)
1
Ceramide NP
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning)
TOCOPHEROL
(Antioxidant, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning)
ASCORBIC ACID
(Antioxidant, Buffering, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Pentylene Glycol
(Skin Conditioning, Solvent)
9
A
Retinol
(Skin Conditioning)
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
2
3
Lecithin
(Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying, Surfactant, Antistatic Agent, Emollient)
1
A
Caprylyl Glycol
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Humectant)
1
B
Sodium Phosphate
(Buffering Agent)
1
A
Trehalose
(Flavoring Agent, Humectant, Moisturising)
6
A
BHT
(Antioxidant, Fragrance, Masking)
1
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
(Humectant, Skin Conditioning)
1
Propolis Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
1
Madecassoside
(Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning)
1
Asiaticoside
(Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning, Perfuming)
1
Asiatic Acid
(Skin Conditioning, Stabilising)
1
Madecassic Acid
(Skin Conditioning)
5
7
BHA
(Antioxidant, Fragrance, Masking)
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
sh-Oligopeptide-1
(Skin Conditioning)
sh-Polypeptide-1
(Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Disodium EDTA
(Chelating Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
PARFUM
(Fragrance, Perfuming)

My Ingredient Notes

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Key ingredients

Butylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning, Humectant
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient

Benefits

Good for dry skin

Concerns

Contains silicone
Not fungal acne (malassezia) safe
Retinol — higher EWG
BHA — higher EWG
May not suit sensitive skin

EWG flags hazard, not real-world risk — ratings don't account for how much of an ingredient a product contains. Treat these as things to research, not verdicts. How we score →

Ingredients explained

Water
Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Solvent
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
Emollient, Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A CIR A EmollientSkin conditioningViscosity controlling
Dimethyl Isosorbide
Solvent, Viscosity decreasing agent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 SolventViscosity decreasing agentViscosity controlling
1,2-Hexanediol
Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Solvent
Niacinamide
Hair conditioning, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Hair conditioningSkin conditioningSmoothing
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
Skin conditioning, Emollient
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR B Skin conditioningEmollient
Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
Binding agent, Skin-conditioning agent - occlusive
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Binding agentSkin-conditioning agent - occlusiveViscosity increasing agentEmollientViscosity controlling
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Skin conditioning, Emollient
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Skin conditioningEmollientEmulsifyingSurfactant
Behenyl Alcohol
Binding agent, Emulsion stabilising
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Binding agentEmulsion stabilisingViscosity increasing agentBindingEmollientViscosity controlling
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Skin conditioning, Emollient
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Skin conditioningEmollientEmulsifyingSurfactant
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A Skin conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emulsion stabilising, Opacifying
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Emulsion stabilisingOpacifyingFoam boostingViscosity increasingagent - aqueousViscosity increasing agentEmollientEmulsifyingViscosity controlling
Polyacrylate-13
Film forming
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 Film forming
Carbomer
Emulsion stabilising, Viscosity increasing agent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Emulsion stabilisingViscosity increasing agentGel formingViscosity controlling
Betaine
Hair conditioning, Humectant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR B Hair conditioningHumectantAntistatic agentSkin conditioningViscosity controlling
+ 30 more — see the full ingredients list above
Butylene Glycol
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceSkin conditioningSolventViscositydecreasing agentHumectantMaskingViscosity controlling Good for Dry Skin
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient, Emulsifying
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A EmollientEmulsifying Fungal-acne trigger
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Viscosity increasing agent, Emollient
Potentially comedogenic - can block poresRead moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Viscosity increasing agentEmollientSkin conditioning Bad for Oily Skin
Dimethicone
Antifoaming agent, Skin protecting
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR A Antifoaming agentSkin protectingEmollientSkin conditioning Silicone
Stearic Acid
Fragrance, Sufactant
Potentially comedogenic - can block poresRead moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceSufactantEmulsifyingSurfactantsurfactant-cleansing agent is included as a function for the soap form of stearic acid.Emulsion stabilisingMaskingRefatting Bad for Oily SkinFungal-acne trigger
Panthenol
Antistatic agent, Hair conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Antistatic agentHair conditioningSkin conditioning Good for Dry Skin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin conditioning, Humectant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Skin conditioningHumectant Good for Dry Skin
Allantoin
Skin conditioning, Skin protecting
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Skin conditioningSkin protectingSoothing Good for Oily SkinGood for Sensitive Skin
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying, Surfactant
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR B EmulsifyingSurfactant Fungal-acne trigger
Retinol
Skin conditioning
Potentially a skin irritantRead moreShow less
EWG 9 CIR A Skin conditioning Bad for Sensitive Skin
BHT
Antioxidant, Fragrance
Moderate-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 6 CIR A AntioxidantFragranceMasking
BHA
Antioxidant, Fragrance
Higher-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 5–7 AntioxidantFragranceMasking Bad for Sensitive Skin

How to use

How to use

  • 1 Where it fits: Apply after toner and before moisturiser — thinnest to thickest.
  • 2 Evening: Use at night — start 2–3× a week and build up as your skin tolerates it.
  • 3 Wear SPF the next day: Acids and retinoids increase sun sensitivity — daily sunscreen is a must while using this.

General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.

Trust & honesty

Officially notified as a cosmetic in Malaysia (NPRA). Government registration record.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.

Often avoided
Retinoids (Vitamin A) (Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Retinol)

Topical retinoids (retinol, retinaldehyde, retinyl esters) are widely advised against in pregnancy as a precaution. The strongest evidence is for ORAL retinoids; topical absorption is low, but most clinicians err on the side of caution.

Use with caution
BHA (salicylic) (Capryloyl Salicylic Acid)

Low-strength topical salicylic acid (BHA) is generally considered fine. Caution is usually reserved for high-strength leave-on products and salicylic peels.

This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy guidance varies and depends on concentration and your individual situation — always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist. How we flag this.

Effective levels — general guide

The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.

Retinoids (Vitamin A) 0.01–1%

Most studied between 0.1% and 1%. Higher is not automatically better — irritation climbs with dose, so a well-formulated lower strength is often the sweet spot.

Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Retinol

Vitamin C (ascorbic) 5–20%

L-ascorbic acid is usually used at 5–20% (around 10–15% is common). Above ~20% adds little and tends to irritate more; it also needs a low pH to work.

ASCORBIC ACID

Niacinamide 2–5% (up to 10%)

Most research uses 2–5%; some formulas go to 10%. Very high levels can cause flushing in sensitive skin.

Niacinamide

BHA (salicylic) 0.5–2%

Salicylic acid is OTC-capped at 2%; 0.5–2% is the usual leave-on range. Much below that it acts more as a soothing agent than an exfoliant.

Capryloyl Salicylic Acid

INCI lists don't disclose amounts, and we don't claim to know this product's levels — these are the ranges these ingredients are usually effective at, so you can tell a real formula from "fairy-dusting" a marketed active. How we estimate this.

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