The Ordinary | Retinol 0.5% in Squalane 30ml | Serums

Oh I love this product! The only thing you have to be careful is because it’s retinol, you have to be careful about not putting on too much or it can make your skin red (slight burn) just slightly by the next day, or it can burn if you go into the sun for too long without any sunscreen since your skin becomes more sun sensitive after using this product, but for me it always goes away in a day or two and can be covered with makeup as long as you hydrate and prime before hand. So the most you should use should only be hung a couple drops on your face, and not on the thin areas like below your eyes, your eyelids, or close to your lips. But after you build up a tolerance to using it, you can put a little more on and more often. With the other retinol products offered by ... MoreOh I love this product! The only thing you have to be careful is because it’s retinol, you have to be careful about not putting on too much or it can make your skin red (slight burn) just slightly by the next day, or it can burn if you go into the sun for too long without any sunscreen since your skin becomes more sun sensitive after using this product, but for me it always goes away in a day or two and can be covered with makeup as long as you hydrate and prime before hand. So the most you should use should only be hung a couple drops on your face, and not on the thin areas like below your eyes, your eyelids, or close to your lips. But after you build up a tolerance to using it, you can put a little more on and more often. With the other retinol products offered by The Ordinary, I feel this product is right there in the middle of perfection! The granactive retinol serums do not have the same level of retinol as the regular retinol in squalene products. But if you are overly sensitive then those ones are for you. This percentage is just right at the sweet spot because any more retinol, and I feel I would have more red spots on my face the next day and it would be too much. But I really only get them now if I put TOOO much of the serum underneath my eyes or on thinned skin areas, or if i go out into the sun the next day or two with absolutely no sunscreen. But if you use it just right and build up a tolerance and use it just every couple days and at night, you end up getting used to it and don’t get any red marks. I feel any more retinol in the higher percentage retinol products would be way too much. So this level and amount of retinol I feel is at the PERFECT spot for seeing improvements, but not burning your face! Your first time using you only need a drop MAAAAAYYBEE two since you haven’t built up a tolerance. But once you do, a few drops will not hurt you.

I started to this Retinol around November 2022 along with their Moisturizer (Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA). I used around 2 drops to get started and I started to break out so much! I thought it was purging but I completely stopped using their Moisturizer and the purging kind of stopped. I think I may be allergic to their moisturizer, but the retinol after that did NOT break me out! I watched a few tiktoks about this product and I did notice that the packing recommends to REFRIGATE the product. SO right when I opened it, I placed it inside my fridge. Now April 2023, my skin feels soft, fine lines around my eyes have minimize and I even notice my nose pores got smaller. I use around 3 drops twice a week or even 3 times depending if I feel like I need a extra ... MoreI started to this Retinol around November 2022 along with their Moisturizer (Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA). I used around 2 drops to get started and I started to break out so much! I thought it was purging but I completely stopped using their Moisturizer and the purging kind of stopped. I think I may be allergic to their moisturizer, but the retinol after that did NOT break me out! I watched a few tiktoks about this product and I did notice that the packing recommends to REFRIGATE the product. SO right when I opened it, I placed it inside my fridge. Now April 2023, my skin feels soft, fine lines around my eyes have minimize and I even notice my nose pores got smaller. I use around 3 drops twice a week or even 3 times depending if I feel like I need a extra pump! Just be careful trying their other products along with this retinol, I know I learned my lesson :)

I have been having major issues with my skin lately and I can never seem to remember to use certain skincare products when I'm supposed to. So, I got this retinol from The Ordinary to address everything with just one product. Holy moly this stuff is awesome. I've been using for about a week now, that's it, and I already see the most amazing difference it's made. Every time I use it my skin gets better and better. My skin is no longer congested looking, acne is pretty much non-existent, my face is the perfect amount of moisturized all day, and much more. I love this product! After I finish this bottle I'm going to the 1%. I haven't had the slightest bit of irritation or redness or dryness or any of the side effects that sometimes come with using retinol (thank ... MoreI have been having major issues with my skin lately and I can never seem to remember to use certain skincare products when I'm supposed to. So, I got this retinol from The Ordinary to address everything with just one product. Holy moly this stuff is awesome. I've been using for about a week now, that's it, and I already see the most amazing difference it's made. Every time I use it my skin gets better and better. My skin is no longer congested looking, acne is pretty much non-existent, my face is the perfect amount of moisturized all day, and much more. I love this product! After I finish this bottle I'm going to the 1%. I haven't had the slightest bit of irritation or redness or dryness or any of the side effects that sometimes come with using retinol (thank you,squalane). Even people with sensitive skin should be able to use this with no problem. I am in love with this stuff.

Best retinol I've tried

Previously I was using a retinol serum by Olay that was okay-ish with treating acne scars along with preventing new breakouts but I felt like there had to be a better product somewhere else...That's where this serum steps in! Since I am not exactly a stranger with retinol I decided the .5% would probably be safe formulation for me to try and I am so glad I did :)I have INSANELY oily skin but after waking up the next day after using this product my skin was almost completely matte but still felt so hydrated and soft. I also have not had a single breakout since using this serum and overall my skin just looks better! And it has only been 3 days since opening the bottle so I can't wait to see how my skin looks long term. (Hopefully this can help with my ... MorePreviously I was using a retinol serum by Olay that was okay-ish with treating acne scars along with preventing new breakouts but I felt like there had to be a better product somewhere else...That's where this serum steps in! Since I am not exactly a stranger with retinol I decided the .5% would probably be safe formulation for me to try and I am so glad I did :)I have INSANELY oily skin but after waking up the next day after using this product my skin was almost completely matte but still felt so hydrated and soft. I also have not had a single breakout since using this serum and overall my skin just looks better! And it has only been 3 days since opening the bottle so I can't wait to see how my skin looks long term. (Hopefully this can help with my black/whiteheads too)With all that being said...Squalane is an excellent skincare ingredient for those who have oily skin and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. The product might feel oily upon initial application but it will dry down. Also if you have never tried retinol before and you experience burning or redness that does not mean there is something wrong with the product...that is just a common side effect of retinol so do your research before purchasing!Thank you to The Ordinary for creating my new favorite skincare product :)

Diminished some lines but a little too greasy

I got this in mid-January. I applied a very thin layer, which is like 4-5 drops for my face. Because of my age and how I'm mainly trying to maintain what I have rather than fix something, aside from the handful of barely noticeable lines on my face, I'm mainly looking out for whether my skin gets worse or not. So far I can say that it definitely works to help further erase the lines on my face and keeps maintaining the progress I had build from a 0.3% retinol from a different brand.Unfortunately, I do have some complaints about this product. For one thing, this is my first time using a serum that's essentially oil and I'm not really digging how greasy it feels on my face. Even on my cheeks and jawline where it's the driest, it's not absorbed even after like 4 ... MoreI got this in mid-January. I applied a very thin layer, which is like 4-5 drops for my face. Because of my age and how I'm mainly trying to maintain what I have rather than fix something, aside from the handful of barely noticeable lines on my face, I'm mainly looking out for whether my skin gets worse or not. So far I can say that it definitely works to help further erase the lines on my face and keeps maintaining the progress I had build from a 0.3% retinol from a different brand.Unfortunately, I do have some complaints about this product. For one thing, this is my first time using a serum that's essentially oil and I'm not really digging how greasy it feels on my face. Even on my cheeks and jawline where it's the driest, it's not absorbed even after like 4 hours. Another thing is that this is recommended to be used within three months but I'm two months in and the bottle is still 2/3rds full. Not really too pleased with how I'm throwing a lot of product away. Perhaps a 20ml bottle could suffice?Overall, I do like this product. The point of retinol is to address texture issues and signs of aging and I will say that the product helped with the fine lines. With texture, I wouldn't say it helped with the comedons on my cheeks and nose, but I will say that it didn't make it worse, which is always welcome. The oily nature of it may be fine for a lot of people, but it just wasn't cutting out for me.

Gave me the clearest skin I've ever had

Let me just say that this product will not work for everyone- but it worked for me, and I'll tell you why. My skin is a combination of normal (T-zone) and dry (cheeks).I have Keratosis Pilaris, a skin condition that causes an over-production of keratin in the skin that then blocks pores and hair follicles. In order to combat this, you have to keep your skin moisturized, so your skin doesn't feel the need to overcompensate with keratin. Because of this, I have bumps all over my cheeks, and on top of that, acne prone skin.Because the Retinol is suspended in Squalene, I get the acne/anti-aging properties of retinol mixed with the skin-mimicking oil of squalene in one product. If you sound like you have the same issues as me, but have never used retinol before, I ... MoreLet me just say that this product will not work for everyone- but it worked for me, and I'll tell you why. My skin is a combination of normal (T-zone) and dry (cheeks).I have Keratosis Pilaris, a skin condition that causes an over-production of keratin in the skin that then blocks pores and hair follicles. In order to combat this, you have to keep your skin moisturized, so your skin doesn't feel the need to overcompensate with keratin. Because of this, I have bumps all over my cheeks, and on top of that, acne prone skin.Because the Retinol is suspended in Squalene, I get the acne/anti-aging properties of retinol mixed with the skin-mimicking oil of squalene in one product. If you sound like you have the same issues as me, but have never used retinol before, I suggest using the .2 percent mixture of this formula instead of the .5 percent a couple of times a week, before gradually moving up. I jumped right into the .5 percent since I've used much stronger retinols, retinoids, and trentinoins in the past for my acne.This has completely smoothed out my skin, zapped it of all hyperpigmentation, and gotten rid of most, if not all, of my acne. My skin shines like I was born yesterday, and if Hollywood needed me to play a baby I probably could.Onto a few other things I feel people might be wondering about, like the smell. I've seen people say it doesn't smell like anything, or it even smells bad. I can say that it does have a smell, but I don't personally think it smells bad at all. It smells like a mixture of Chrysanthemum and Chamomile- which would make sense since the squalene that The Ordinary uses is sourced from plants. This smell does not bother me whatsoever, but if you're sensitive to things like that, you might want to consider it.Another thing, you do have to refrigerate this product, I personally have a mini fridge in my room that contains my skincare products. If you have the resources I would recommend getting one, but you could easily store it in your regular fridge. It is actually very important for the stabilization of the formula that you store it properly. Also, only use this product at night! While squalene had no negative effects to sunlight, retinol tends to breakdown and could possibly cause a chemical burn on your face. If you're using retinols, regardless of the strength, you need to use an SPF during the day.TLDR; Great product if you have normal/dry skin, great anti-aging, pigmentation, and moisturizing benefits. Test it out to see if you like it if you have oily skin, since squalene is, in fact, AN OIL. Has a smell, and has to be refrigerated. Use and night only, and wear sunscreen. I hope this helped!!!

Holy Grail

God. Just fantastic. I orginally started my retinol journey with the ordinarys retinol .2%. I went through purging during quarantine and after the purging (which lasted about a month -- combining the time I had the pimples and the time it took for the scars to fade) I can confidently say that this cured my acne. I've been using this specific percentage for over a year now and I've never dealt with acne like I have in the past since. I'm going to move up to 1% because I'm definitely long overdue and I want this annoying acne scar that I have to fade away quickly. But this product is great. It's greasy which is a downside but that's because since retinol can be very harsh and cause drying to the skin the squalane will help combat this by providing moisture. ... MoreGod. Just fantastic. I orginally started my retinol journey with the ordinarys retinol .2%. I went through purging during quarantine and after the purging (which lasted about a month -- combining the time I had the pimples and the time it took for the scars to fade) I can confidently say that this cured my acne. I've been using this specific percentage for over a year now and I've never dealt with acne like I have in the past since. I'm going to move up to 1% because I'm definitely long overdue and I want this annoying acne scar that I have to fade away quickly. But this product is great. It's greasy which is a downside but that's because since retinol can be very harsh and cause drying to the skin the squalane will help combat this by providing moisture. Nevertheless at night I slather moisturizer over it and it's not too much for me. For reference I have an oily T zone and dryer cheeks if I don't use any skincare. I'm a teenager and this retinol has helped clear my acne and boost my confidence. I encourage everyone to try it out. With any retinol it's going to be a journey, but it's one where the reward is long lasting. :)P.S I use this every night with no issues. Also don't use this with Vitamin C or other actives. Do research on retinol so you can alter your skincare routine to make room for it. You can still use Vitamin C and actives like SA's and BHA's just on alternating nights when you don't use the retinol or during the day if the product isn't sensitve to sun. ALSO ALWAYS WEAR SUNSCREEN.

I'm still on the fence....

So far there are good things and bad things about this product. First, I skin cycle, so I only use this product twice a week. I'm sure it is irritating for some peoples skin, but since I don't use it nightly I haven't had any issues. I was broken out before I started using this and it didn't make it worse. My skin has actually started clearing up. It is oily, but since I only use it at night I don't mind. If you are having problems with the oily feeling I recommend using a little less product and topping it with a moisturizer. I love using The Ordinary brand moisturizer with this retinol. After 30ish minutes I don't feel oily at all. The only hands down bad part of this product is the smell. It smells a lot like baby spit up. The smell does fade after a hour or two, ... MoreSo far there are good things and bad things about this product. First, I skin cycle, so I only use this product twice a week. I'm sure it is irritating for some peoples skin, but since I don't use it nightly I haven't had any issues. I was broken out before I started using this and it didn't make it worse. My skin has actually started clearing up. It is oily, but since I only use it at night I don't mind. If you are having problems with the oily feeling I recommend using a little less product and topping it with a moisturizer. I love using The Ordinary brand moisturizer with this retinol. After 30ish minutes I don't feel oily at all. The only hands down bad part of this product is the smell. It smells a lot like baby spit up. The smell does fade after a hour or two, but it's still gross. I did read the package and I do keep I refrigerated, so that isn't the issue. I may try the 2% by this brand once this one is empty, but overall this is a good product that works well.

Works, but not as i expected it to!

After a disastrous experience with ROC's Retinol night treatment some time back which came been highly raved about online, I decided to give The Ordinary's a shot. Although touted as being more irritating than the Granactive Retinoid versions from Deciem, I actually found it to be the complete opposite. Granactive makes my face break out in hives, and that's despite only using once a week for the first 2 weeks and gradually increasing to every 3rd night. I did this for 5 weeks. I never got beyond that, as the itchy redness appearing in the middle of an important work meeting was my last straw with it. For some reason my skin just wouldn't adjust. I then got hold of the Retinol 0.5% and although the hives didn't appear, the acne did! I thought it was just my skin ... MoreAfter a disastrous experience with ROC's Retinol night treatment some time back which came been highly raved about online, I decided to give The Ordinary's a shot. Although touted as being more irritating than the Granactive Retinoid versions from Deciem, I actually found it to be the complete opposite. Granactive makes my face break out in hives, and that's despite only using once a week for the first 2 weeks and gradually increasing to every 3rd night. I did this for 5 weeks. I never got beyond that, as the itchy redness appearing in the middle of an important work meeting was my last straw with it. For some reason my skin just wouldn't adjust. I then got hold of the Retinol 0.5% and although the hives didn't appear, the acne did! I thought it was just my skin purging but no matter how much I spaced usage out, I would still get them, especially on my forehead and cheeks. As both versions are 'Squalane'-based I'm starting to wonder whether it's Squalane and not Retinol itself that my face is reacting to? Luckily I found good use for it on my KP - which I started with the full 1% and now that that's finished I'm using the 0.5% to maintain results. It hasn't gone, KP isn't a condition you can permanently get rid of unfortunately, but it helps keep it less noticeable and my arms and thighs: where I have it the worst, are much smoother. Now all I need to find is a Retinol that works with, and not against: my face! -> My 'Ulta Beauty Top 7 must-have list' (My 7 favorite beauty products of all time, focusing mainly on my purchases at Ulta) < - < 1. Hair Loss Treatment: Divine Herbal Hair Oil < 2. Eye Cream: Clinique All about eyes < 3. Lip Gloss: Clarins Lip Comfort Oil < 4. Makeup Remover: Lancome Bi Facil < 5. Pigmentation + Anti-Aging Serum: Divine Herbal Facial Treatment Serum < 6. Eyeliner: Ulta Beauty Gel Eyeliner Pencil < 7. Moisturizer: 'Lush' - Enzymion

not for me

i am disappointed in this product. my friend came to me and told me it completely cleared her skin up. i was excited to try it since nothing else has ever worked for me and completely cleared my skin. i tried it in October and the first month went well. the following month, november is when things started getting worse. i thought i was purging but it made no sense for me to be purging a month later. i waited one more month because i was really hoping it was just purging and it’ll eventually go away. well i broke out worse than i ever have in my whole life. i still have scars from it, 3 months later after ceasing use. 3 months doesn't sound like a long time but my scars usually fade within a few weeks. this product left clusters of pimples all over my problem area. ... Morei am disappointed in this product. my friend came to me and told me it completely cleared her skin up. i was excited to try it since nothing else has ever worked for me and completely cleared my skin. i tried it in October and the first month went well. the following month, november is when things started getting worse. i thought i was purging but it made no sense for me to be purging a month later. i waited one more month because i was really hoping it was just purging and it’ll eventually go away. well i broke out worse than i ever have in my whole life. i still have scars from it, 3 months later after ceasing use. 3 months doesn't sound like a long time but my scars usually fade within a few weeks. this product left clusters of pimples all over my problem area. my chin. i also started breaking out near my nose/cheek area. i noticed closed comedones formed around there too. i did have closed comedones already on my forehead but ever since i used the retinol they have become much more apparent. this product may work for some people but not everyone. be careful.