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Summary
Highlights
The Ordinary's Retinol 0.2% in Squalane Serum is a water-free formula with a 0.2% retinol to aid in the appearance of photodamage, signs of aging, and signs of textural irregularities.
Benefits
- Provides a solution for textural irregularities, signs of aging, photodamage
Formulated Without
- Alcohol
- Gluten
- Nuts
- Water
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Silicones
- Plant Oils
Features
- Water can affect the stability of retinol Additionally, plant oils in retinol formulations can trigger lipid peroxidation and can impair retinol integrity
Item 2552309
Apply a small amount to face in the PM as part of your skincare regimen, after water-based serums but before heavier treatments. Do not use with other retinoid treatments. Avoid unprotected solar exposure.
Caution: Retinol can cause irritation, redness and peeling, especially around the eyes and mouth, in the early stages of treatment while skin builds tolerance. If persistent irritation occurs, cease use and consult a physician. Use only as directed on unbroken skin. Patch testing prior to use is advised. Refer to our in-depth guide to patch testing. Keep out of reach of children. Refrigerate after opening.
Contraindications: Do not use in the same routine as other retinoids, direct acids, pure or ethylated vitamin C, or ''Buffet'' + Copper Peptides 1%.
Squalane, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Simmondsia Chinensis (jojoba) Seed Oil, Retinol, Solanum Lycopersicum (tomato) Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (rosemary) Leaf Extract, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, BHT.
Free gift with purchase
Free gift with purchase
Free Natural Moisturizing Factors body lotion with $20 The Ordinary purchase (valid thru 9.18.25 on in store or shipped purchases. Full, partial pickup or same day delivery purchases do not qualify. While quantities last. Subject to in store availability)
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Questions
Ask a QuestionQ&A
Showing 3 out of 3 Questions
- Q
Is this certified cruelty free/ Peta or Leaping Bunny?
- Asked by Deb
- Official Answer By The Ordinary - Brand EngageHi! The Ordinary is Leaping Bunny certified. <3Was this answer helpful to you
- Q
Can I use this at night with my resvetrol from the ordinary
- Asked by Mature skin
- Official Answer By The Ordinary - Brand EngageYes. You may be Retinol 0.2% in Squalane alongside Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%!Was this answer helpful to you
- Q
How long after purchasing does this product expire
- Asked by The ordinary retinol
- Official Answer By The Ordinary - Brand EngageHi there! Once opened, this formula should be refrigerated and used within a three-month period. We hope this helps <3Was this answer helpful to you
Reviews
Write A REVIEWReview Snapshot
by PowerReviews
Ratings Distribution
Best Uses
Skin Type
Most Helpful Positive Review
Took a month and a half to adapt but...
Hi! So, I've been using this product since november 2020 and wanted to share my experience. I have oily skin and quite a lot of acne. Well, in the first month and a half, I used this product once a week and noticed that, in the days after using it, I had more pimples in my face, but after a while ev...
Most Helpful Critical Review
Hyperpigmentation appeared after use
I've been using this product for some time now and firstly i was satisfied with it. I saw decrease in intensity of my forehead wrinkles. However, this morning i woke up with hyperpigmentation on the cheak. It already happened to me once before but I didn't pay attention to it I thought it might have...
119 results
Very effective
Verified Buyer
Reviewed at
The retinol serums have been the most effective product I've tried from The Ordinary. I now understand why it's a superstar ingredient. After starting this serum every other day at night, I had multiple people tell me I was looking younger (without knowing my skincare routine). It has made my skin smoother and plumper, and been more effective (so far) at fading hyperpigmentation than the alpha arbutin, vitamin C, niacinamide, and acids I've also been using. This one didn't cause any irritation or dryness, whereas the 0.5% has a bit. The only downside is the fact that it has to be refrigerated, so you can't use it when travelling. I didn't stop using it after three months but used the whole bottle up; I'd be interested in knowing the rate of decay of the retinol and how effective it might still be after 3 months.
Love it!!
Verified Reviewer
Reviewed at
I genuinely love this retinol serum because it's not too intense since I'm a beginner to retinols..
great starter retinol
i am new to retinol. i just turned 24 so i wanted to start using some. i have acne prone / very sensitive skin. i use this every other night if not maybe 2x a week. i has helped some redness, scarring and makes my skin feel moisturized too. haven't noticed much more but im happy with what i have. i will be purchasing again.
Love the effect of product BUT NOT THE SMELL!!!
The smell is AWFUL, reminds me of my dissection lab in college when we did sharks. It is so awful, I have to put a better smelling oil after it (helps, but little). Or just avoid my nose area. Product has squalane which is from sharks liver...I think...so no wonder it smells like that... I like the retinol and what it does, just cannot bear the smell....but love what it does for my skin!
Okay for a while
Verified Buyer
Reviewed at
It was fine for a while although I didn't really see any noticeable improvement, maybe because I'm only 21 and don't really have a huge amount of visible skin damage. But what was frustrating was that the product has a shelf life of 3 months, and even with daily use, the bottle is much too large to use up all of it. I've used less than half, but now every time I use it I've started to get a painful rash around my eyes (no, I don't apply it directly to my eyes). I'm assuming this is because it's past it's shelf life, but it's a bit disheartening to pay full price for a product that will cause serious discomfort 3 months in when the bottle is still half full.