The Ordinary
🇨🇦
Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
Ampoules
4.1
(89)
Ratings & Reviews
4.1
89 Reviews
Rating Distribution
Product Attributes
Alcohol-free
Paraben-free
Silicone-free
Sulfate-free
Allergen-free
Cruelty-free
Fragrance-free
Non-comedogenic
Photo Reviews
72 Reviews
izmelexxie
Oily/Resilient
| 11 April, 2021
My first retinol 💕
I was a bit anxious using this because I've read the side effects that includes, irrittation, dryness, purging.
But after 3months of using this gradually, I had never experience any of those (should've i started using at 1%? Lol)
This has the scent of an essential oils, or a more stronger smell of johnsons baby oil.
I just observed that everytime I use this, the niacinamide that I use or the HA serum from the same brand, always always pills even though I always waited those products to sink in and I will be left some grainy pills on my face.
The oil will not be easily absorbed, so it will leave my face for the whole night as a shiny lechon skin even though I applied the NMF after.
But, it does leave my skin glowing in the morning 😍
After 3month use, I notice that my forehead wrinkles were lessen (I always check this, so i knew it had been improving and the product is working.
➖too greasy
➖the PAO is only 3 months!! I mean, how can I finish the whole bottle for 3 months while gradually using this. If that's the case, I hope they will make a smaller bottle.
19
Comment
lyricalskin
Dry/Resilient
| 12 February, 2022
Retinol is just great for acne and fading hyperpigmentation, at the start of the pandemic I started off with using the 0.2% in squalane until i started to see no results and then i upped the concentration to this one. Since it’s in squalane, it’s texture is more like a facial oil, so if you’re trying to incorporate this into a routine you already have, make sure to use this after your water based serums! Once you put this on the skin, it does sink in fairly quickly. I usually watch youtube videos while I’m doing my routine so I’ll give it a couple of minutes before I put on my moisturiser.
All in all, I have seen great results with using this product and I will continue to use it!
I went through an entire bottle of this before I realised it had to be in the fridge for stability reasons, they should make it more clearer on the packaging that it’s the case. Another point is that Deciem have said that stability in this formulation is for roughly 3 months, so if you don’t get through the bottle in that time, it seems like a waste.
6
2
Picky06117
Oily/Resilient
| 14 October, 2020
Hands down my favorite product from the Ordinary. A very lightweight product with an even better price tag.
Dissolves into my skin so nicely leaving a very soft and even texture. Also a great product to layer other serums and night cream with.
Has to be refrigerated and thrown out 3 months after opening. This can be rough if there's a lot of product left in the bottle..
Takes a couple of months to see results like any other Retinol product.
4
1
MeiLing27
Oily/Resilient
| 10 December, 2021
This product worked wonders for my skin.
It was a bumpy ride at first though.
I started incorporating retinol into my nighttime skincare routine last July 2020.
From July until first week of September 2020, I experienced purging! Pimples were endlessly growing on my temples (where I usually have breakouts). They never seemed to go away.
However, when September came, they started to disappear and I observed that my skin started to look better!
Starting October 2020, I use it 4 times a week. When I was just starting out, I used it 2 times a week.
Now I rarely get breakouts and my pores have become "smaller" in apperance.
Give it time to work! It's not a magic potion that will work overnight or just after a few weeks.
Retinol works wonders!
I have been using it for a year now *I upgraded to 1% after 6 months *
Purging, but that's pretty normal.
3
Comment
Buhbles
Oily/Resilient
| 15 December, 2020
Very affordable retinol and I definitely saw results. If has squalane which is a non comedogenic and fast absorbing oil which helps to counter the potential irritation associated with retinol.
While I do like the squalane, it does limit use. I would avoid applying to the eye area as oils can result in milia and can make the oil glands under your eyes more noticeable (those pesky little bumps under your eyes). Also, this needs to be refrigerated which is kind of inconvenient.
3
Comment
matromao
Dry/Resilient
| 27 January, 2022
Not a bad way to start getting into retinol. This facial oil is pretty mild. I didn't even feel any "scrubbed raw" sensation on my skin after several uses. I also didn't purge. The oil goes over all my other skincare and gradually sinks in.
I didn't have a negative experience.
2
Comment
R
RoxyTocin
Oily/Sensitive
| 27 April, 2021
My absolute holy grail! It completely changed my skin texture, i have no acne left. It also started to fade my PIH, which will take a little longer
I purged quite intensely for the first few weeks. Thos may habe been my personsl mistake though...
2
Comment
junsskin
Oily/Sensitive
| 7 February, 2021
i think this would be a good beginner retinol product if u wanna experiment on using retinol for acne. i also like the squalane base since it didnt clog my pores and break me out. just dont use it every day when u first use it so u wont beat up ur skin barrier 🥴
the expiration date isnt a vibe 💔 3 months isnt enough for a 30 ml bottle tbh
2
2
S
syazanursyahindah
Dry/Sensitive
| 10 December, 2020
I have a sensitive, dry skin with acne and wrinkles. For this product, I have been using this for about a months now. My mom and grandmother also use it and I have seen reduction of fine lines and wrinkles in their skin while they uses this, although they are not very consistent with it. I have been using this to get rid of acne scars (both pigmentation scars and physical scaring) I see some improvement with my scars and will continue to use this. Retinol takes time to show results so my expectations are still high for this product. The price is great and I love that the ordinary offers difference concentrations of retinol to use over time when skin gets more tolerant. This is a great one for beginners. It's the first one I used and as long as you use it along with a hydrating product you should be fine.
The smell is not pleasant but it's bearable. Make sure you do not put too much on your skin or your skin might break out or feel greasy all night as the consistency is greasy yellow oil and while it kinda feels neat.
2
Comment
Nevania2594
Oily/Resilient
| 18 April, 2021
This is actually my first pure Retinol product that I took a risk with. Truthfully, this exceeded my expectations, with every use my skin just glowed the next day. I noticed lesser breakouts and also my skin texture was more even. Noticeably, my smile lines are less visible now and looks plumper as well. Super happy that I tried this one out, and I will probably be sticking to it for awhile.
Nothing bad about this for me.
1
Comment
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