Cica Reti-A Essence 0.3
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.
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.
Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.
The evidence
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
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Water
(Solvent) |
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Butylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscositydecreasing Agent, Humectant, Masking, Viscosity Controlling) |
Good for Dry Skin
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Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
(Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Dimethyl Isosorbide
(Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling) |
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1,2-Hexanediol
(Solvent) |
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Niacinamide
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing) |
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Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient) |
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Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate
(Binding Agent, Skin Conditioning Agent Occlusive, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emollient, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Glyceryl Stearate
(Emollient, Emulsifying) |
Fungal Acne Trigger
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Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Emulsifying, Surfactant) |
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Behenyl Alcohol
(Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Emollient, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
(Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emollient, Skin Conditioning) |
Bad for Oily Skin
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Dimethicone
(Antifoaming Agent, Skin Protecting, Emollient, Skin Conditioning) |
Silicone
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Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Emulsifying, Surfactant) |
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Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
(Skin Conditioning) |
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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
Fungal Acne Trigger
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Cetearyl Alcohol
(Emulsion Stabilising, Opacifying, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Increasingagent Aqueous, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emollient, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Polyacrylate-13
(Film Forming) |
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Carbomer
(Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Betaine
(Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Antistatic Agent, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Panthenol
(Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning) |
Good for Dry Skin
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Tromethamine
(Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Masking) |
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Polyisobutene
(Binding Agent, Film Forming, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Ethylhexylglycerin
(Deodorant, Skin Conditioning) |
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Centella Asiatica Extract
(Cleansing, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing, Soothing, Tonic) |
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Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate
(Emulsion Stabilising, Slip Modifier, Surface Modifier) |
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Adenosine
(Skin Conditioning) |
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Sodium Hyaluronate
(Skin Conditioning, Humectant) |
Good for Dry Skin
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Allantoin
(Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing) |
Good for Oily Skin
Good for Sensitive Skin
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Polysorbate 20
(Emulsifying, Surfactant) |
Fungal Acne Trigger
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Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract
(Skin Conditioning) |
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Gluconolactone
(Fragrance, Humectant, Solvent) |
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Bakuchiol
(Cosmetic Biocide, Antimicrobial) |
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Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
(Skin Conditioning) |
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Sorbitan Isostearate
(Emulsifying, Surfactant) |
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Hydroxystearic Acid
(Cleansing, Emulsifying, Surfactant) |
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Ceramide NP
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning) |
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TOCOPHEROL
(Antioxidant, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning) |
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ASCORBIC ACID
(Antioxidant, Buffering, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning) |
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Pentylene Glycol
(Skin Conditioning, Solvent) |
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Retinol
(Skin Conditioning) |
Bad for Sensitive Skin
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Lecithin
(Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying, Surfactant, Antistatic Agent, Emollient) |
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Caprylyl Glycol
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Humectant) |
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Sodium Phosphate
(Buffering Agent) |
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Trehalose
(Flavoring Agent, Humectant, Moisturising) |
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BHT
(Antioxidant, Fragrance, Masking) |
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Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
(Humectant, Skin Conditioning) |
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Propolis Extract
(Skin Conditioning) |
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Madecassoside
(Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning) |
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Asiaticoside
(Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning, Perfuming) |
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Asiatic Acid
(Skin Conditioning, Stabilising) |
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Madecassic Acid
(Skin Conditioning) |
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BHA
(Antioxidant, Fragrance, Masking) |
Bad for Sensitive Skin
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sh-Oligopeptide-1
(Skin Conditioning) |
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sh-Polypeptide-1
(Skin Conditioning) |
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Disodium EDTA
(Chelating Agent, Viscosity Controlling) |
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PARFUM
(Fragrance, Perfuming) |
No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.
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 →
How to use
General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.
Trust & honesty
Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.
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.
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.
The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.
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
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
Most research uses 2–5%; some formulas go to 10%. Very high levels can cause flushing in sensitive skin.
Niacinamide
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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