The Ordinary Retinol is everyone’s trusted & recommended & because Retinol is something I didn’t want lớn experiment and play with, I wanted to lớn go with The Ordinary only. I mean this is the only Brand I have heard for Retinol. Before this, I only had Nykaa SKINRx Retinol with me which I received as a PR. That one is super mild but showed great results. I wanted to lớn experience The
Ordinary Retinol which I heard so much about.
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For years I have been reading about Retinol and what it does and what precautions you need khổng lồ take once you incorporate retinol into your routine which is why I had my doubts và I didn’t want lớn rush with having retinol in my skincare routine.
I have been using The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane for some time now and I am all mix to tóm tắt my thoughts with you all. So if you have been looking for The Ordinary Retinol đánh giá from a beginner’s point of view, you are on the right page
Look for this product at Nykaa
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
Packaging: It comes in a mặc định The
Ordinary Packaging with a dropper cap & a glass bottle. Safe khổng lồ store, use, and carry.
Fragrance: It kind of smells like olives if I am not wrong. It isn’t the most charming one but isn’t bothering me at all.
My Experience
I knew Retinol isn’t an easy one & comes with its own rules & precautions, lớn begin with. If you are someone who recently turned 27, it is time to add retinol khổng lồ your skincare routine.
I started using The Ordinary Retinol in my nighttime routine as instructed on the bottle by using a few drops on my palm and gently pressing it all over my face right after cleansing.
I notice the texture felt like a facial oil and was easy khổng lồ massage as well. It went on my face just lượt thích a facial oil, smooth and soft. I even thought I might not need my moisturizer with it as my face legit felt hydrated và soft as it would look after a facial oil.
Also, Read: 5 Reasons You Should Incorporate Face Oil into Your Routine
I spent enough time massaging it into my face và allowed it to lớn completely settle in before I begin with my moisturizer. I didn’t use any of my other serums with the retinol. Initially, I started using retinol every two days and had planned to lớn increase the frequency once my skin will adapt to lớn it.
I was aware of the initial side effects such as excessive dryness and redness so I kind of braced myself for it. At the same time, I expected Retinol lớn show the results after months of usage but surprisingly, within the first week, I started noticing changes.
After a few usages only, I woke up one morning & my skin looked like it got some overnight treatment. I couldn’t pinpoint what exactly is different but my skin was definitely feeling it.
Within a month of continuously using Retinol thrice a week, I can say I am in love with this. It cleared all the tiny marks, cleared little dots around my cheeks & forehead, và pores look smaller resulting in a smooth texture, và it definitely did something around the eyes which I am not sure what.
I could see the skin around my eyes and cheeks plumping và becoming clearer day by day. It worked on those tiny marks which I don’t think I noticed until I saw my skin looking clear & smooth. It even worked on fine lines which I wasn’t even aware of.
It just made my skin look và feel so better that only after the results I noticed what my skin has been holding. It even reduced the occurrence of tiny oil heads and clogged pores. My skin is so happy & I can definitely say having retinol in my skincare routine going lớn be so fruitful in the long run.
That being said, I couldn’t ignore the obvious side effects in the initial stage. Soon, the corner around my lips became so dry as a rock & my eyelid started developing dryness & dry patches. Pretty soon, my eyelids and lip corners were shedding skin like a snake.
I knew Retinol comes with such negative effects but it looked lượt thích they were amplified on my skin.
I started seeing these huge patches of redness và blotchiness and my skin just became so uncomfortable. I switched lớn Kiehl’s Moisturizer followed by a decent application of Vaseline và Boroline multiple times a day on the eyelid và lips. But, unfortunately, Kiehl’s wasn’t much of help.
Let me warn you that this will not be an easy phase. My dryness was accompanied by dust allergy and it was so bad that every time I applied my moisturizer onto that area, it used to lớn sting so bad that a wave of irritation went through my body.
Another incident was that I used Retinol and The Ordinary hair serum on the same day & my rashes got worse. I don’t know if they both reacted or what happened but my rashes turned into this painful và itchy skin followed by peeling of the skin và an intense burning sensation around the eyes.
Honestly, it still hasn’t fully recovered yet. It sort of opened the gate lớn my allergies và I have been constantly getting allergy flare-ups. My skin got so dry that I had lớn switch to Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream. It actually triggered my eczema.
I think if you are someone with extreme skin sensitivity, or with a history of any skin concern, or if your skin is easily triggered then I wouldn’t recommend this because even if the product does work for you, you are definitely going to lớn experience the obvious Retinol side effects which can further go worse depending on the skin và triggers.
If you are about to use Retinol for the first time, start by using it twice a week only và brace yourself for all the possible initial side effects including dryness, redness, or acne. But, I can confirm, if your skin adapts to lớn it, you are going to lớn love the Retinol results.
If you bởi not want khổng lồ start with The
Ordinary Retinol, my only recommendation would be Nykaa Skin
Rx Retinol. It is easy on the skin và is mild. You won’t notice any results initially but after 40-50 days, you going to lớn see a lot of difference. I personally loved it.
Summing Up
This was my first time trying The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane. The consistency feels lượt thích a facial oil and is easy khổng lồ massage onto the skin. With regular usage, it cleared up tiny marks, pores, & fine lines resulting in noticeable clear & smooth skin. My skin visibly looked better, clear, and improved. But, I experienced the worst Retinol reactions pretty soon which somehow triggered my eczema. As a result, my skin suffered from rashes, redness, flakiness, và peeling of the skin.
The Ordinary skincare products are so popular because they are formulated to deliver active ingredients to your skin at a super affordable price. Their retinoids are a perfect example: they provide all the anti-aging benefits of retinol without a hefty price tag.
The Ordinary offers three retinol concentrations: 0.2%, 0.5%, & 1%, và three Granactive Retinoid serums (see this post for my guide lớn all six The Ordinary retinoid products).
Moving up from the 0.2% concentration (which I reviewed here), I’ve been testing the 0.5% retinol serum và will discuss my experience in this The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% In Squalane review.
This post contains tiếp thị liên kết links, và any purchases made through these liên kết will result in a commission for me at no extra cost khổng lồ you. Please read myDisclosurefor additional information.
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10% off on purchases over $5515% off on purchases over $100*
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The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% In Squalane is a lightweight serum formulated with 0.5% pure retinol in a squalane base.
It’s the ideal intermediate retinol strength for those moving up from lower concentrations or who aren’t sensitive và can tolerate higher retinol concentrations.
This moderate strength retinol serum is a stable, water-free formula that helps khổng lồ reduce signs of aging, improve skin tone & texture, and diminish the appearance of wrinkles & fine lines.
This retinol serum comes in a squalane base, which is an ingredient that helps lock in moisture và hydrate the skin. It also helps offset the dryness that can come along with retinol use.
Squalane is a saturated hydrocarbon similar to squalene (with an e) that is naturally found in our skin.
Squalane is non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog your pores và worsen acne or breakouts, making it suitable for those with combination, acne-prone, and oily skin types.
It’s non-irritating, so it is also a great option for those with sensitive skin.
Like all The Ordinary products, the serum is vegan và cruelty-free.
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% In Squalane Key Ingredients
The serum contains only eight ingredients. Here are the key active ingredients:
Squalane: An emollient & humectant that helps keep the skin hydrated và improves its moisture levels. Squalane is non-comedogenic (meaning it won’t block your pores) and helps restore the skin’s natural barrier function, keeping moisture in và irritants out.Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil: A natural moisturizer that helps lớn lock in moisture & keep skin hydrated.0.5% Retinol: Retinol, also known as vi-ta-min A, helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, brightens skin tone, và boosts collagen production.Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Extract: Rich in vi-ta-min C, this plant extract helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and even out skin tone.Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract: Rosemary is known for its antioxidant properties, which help to lớn protect skin from environmental damage.The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% In Squalane Review
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% In Squalane is packaged in an amber glass bottle & has a dropper applicator. The clear light yellow serum has a thin oily consistency và is easily absorbed by my skin.
It’s important to note that I am not new khổng lồ retinoids & was testing the 0.2% concentration of the serum before starting with this 0.5% concentration.
Although it leaves a sheen on my skin, it doesn’t feel heavy or make my face lượt thích an oil slick. Once absorbed, my skin feels very soft, smooth, và moisturized.
I’ve had great success with using the serum every other night. I like to use other actives lượt thích AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) on other nights of the week, so using retinol every other night works well for my skincare routine.
I haven’t experienced any noticeable redness or irritation while using the serum every other night, so I am thrilled that my skin tolerates this concentration consistently.
During the last week of testing, I increased usage khổng lồ nightly khổng lồ see how my skin would respond.
After a few nights in a row, I noticed my skin would get red after washing it, and I experienced some tightness in my skin, so I stopped the nightly usage and went back to every other night.
This retinol serum is the real deal. Every single morning after using this serum, I wake khổng lồ smoother skin with improved texture và no breakouts.
Since the serum helps improve skin cell turnover, my pores look smaller, and my skin looks more radiant.
I think the squalane base has helped offset much of the dryness I often experience with retinol serums. I’ll keep using this concentration until I’m ready to lớn move up khổng lồ The Ordinary’s stronger 1% retinol concentration.
Overall, I’m very pleased with the results, và it’s a no-brainer retinol serum for such an affordable price.
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% In Squalane Drawbacks
If you have oily skin, you might not be a tín đồ of the squalane base since the finish is a bit shiny.
Xem thêm: 5 cách chữa đầy bụng cho trẻ sơ sinh bị khó tiêu ở trẻ sơ sinh
This 0.5% retinol concentration could be irritating for those with sensitive skin.
How to Use The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% In Squalane
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane should be used no more than once a day in your evening skincare routine.
Apply a few drops of The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane khổng lồ your face và neck (if your neck can tolerate retinol) in the treatment step of your skincare routine.
Apply it after cleansing and water-based serums but before applying your moisturizer and any oils, suspensions, or creams. (Squalane is light enough to lớn be used under a moisturizer.)
Depending on your skin type và tolerance, you can follow the standard retinol application protocol when first starting a retinol product:
1X a week for 1 week2X a week for 2 weeks3X a week for 3 weeksIncrease usage as tolerated
Please cảnh báo that retinol can cause dryness, redness, irritation, và peeling skin. It’s important to lớn avoid use on sensitive areas of your face, lượt thích around your mouth and eyes.
The Ordinary recommends starting with the lower concentration of retinol, The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% in Squalane, & slowly working your way up to this 0.5% concentration.
If you notice skin irritation from using this serum, you can use your moisturizer as a buffer & apply this serum after your moisturizer.
If you have sensitive skin, The Ordinary suggests trying newer retinoid technologies like their Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion, which avoids much of the irritation that comes with retinol.
Once you xuất hiện this serum, for best results, you should refrigerate it and use it within three months.
With this serum and any new skincare product, be sure to lớn patch test your skin before using it for the first time lớn avoid an adverse initial reaction.
The Ordinary notes that if you experience a reaction/irritation, rinse, stop using the product, & consult your physician. Use only on unbroken skin.
NOTE: Retinoids, including retinol, can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so be sure lớn apply this serum only in the evening & use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher while using this serum (and every other day, too!).
For more usage details và sample retinol routines, please see my post: How khổng lồ Use The Ordinary Retinol.
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% In Squalane Conflicts
You should avoid using Retinol 0.5% In Squalane with other strong actives lượt thích direct acids (exfoliating acids like AHAs, i.e., glycolic acid, lactic acid, or salicylic acid), pure/ethylated vitamin C (ascorbic acid), copper peptides, & other retinoids.
If you want khổng lồ use direct acids, pure/ethylated vitamin C, & other retinoids in your skincare routine, use them on different days or in the mornings since retinol is applied at night.
The Ordinary notes that if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, avoiding skincare products containing retinoids, such as formulas with Granactive Retinoid or retinol, is recommended.
Alternatives to lớn The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% In Squalane
If you find that The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane is too strong for your skin, you can always take a step down and try The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% Retinol in Squalane.
The serum contains the same ingredients as the 0.5% formula but has a lower concentration of retinol. This is the lowest concentration of retinol offered by The Ordinary.
Of course, if your skin is ready for a stronger retinol product, The Ordinary 1% Retinol in Squalane contains the same ingredients as the 0.5% concentration but contains double the amount of retinol.
This higher retinol percentage increases your chances of experiencing skin irritation, though, so use caution when introducing it into your skin care routine.
Read my thoughts and results after testing this higher concentration in my The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane reviews post.
If you have sensitive skin or don’t want to risk the irritation that comes with retinol, you can try The Ordinary’s Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion (my favorite retinoid from The Ordinary).
Granactive Retinoids are a newer giải pháp công nghệ that helps to avoid irritation while still providing skin resurfacing và other benefits of retinol.
Also known as Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR), Granative Retinoid technology works by activating the retinoid receptor on your skin cells without causing the irritation that typically comes along with retinol.
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion contains 0.2% HPR (the other 1.8% that makes it a 2% complex is solvent), PLUS retinol (at an undisclosed percentage).
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion targets fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin texture và tone, và loss of collagen and elastin in a gentle but effective way. As always, start slow & increase use as tolerated.
The Ordinary also offers a Granative Retinoid 2% in Squalane và a stronger Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane (see my complete nhận xét here).
These formulas are formulated with Granactive Retinoid technology in a moisturizing squalane base, making them ideal for dehydrated and dry skin. These two serums don’t contain retinol lượt thích the 2% Emulsion does.
The Ordinary Retinol vs Granactive Retinoid
Since retinol và Granactive Retinoid are two different technologies, they can’t be directly compared.
Newer technologies lượt thích Granactive Retinoid mimic the effects of retinol without the typical irritation that comes along with retinol, so they’re an excellent choice for sensitive skin types.
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ .5% power nguồn Serum is formulated with Neutrogena’s highest concentration of retinol, 0.5%, just like The Ordinary.
The serum also contains bisabolol derived from chamomile to lớn soothe the skin & offset inflammation.
This serum is lightweight và feels similar to lớn The Ordinary Retinol 5% in Squalane on my skin. I experience little khổng lồ no irritation, too.
Please cảnh báo that while this is a drugstore retinol serum, it is much more expensive than The Ordinary.
Please chú ý there is added fragrance in this serum.
COSRX The Retinol 0.5% Oil
COSRX The Retinol 0.5% Oil is a K-Beauty retinol serum formulated with 0.5% stabilized, pure retinol to address the signs of aging like loss of elasticity & firmness, wrinkles, & uneven skin tone. It also targets acne & breakouts for clearer skin.
Like The Ordinary, COSRX has formulated this serum in a squalane base which nourishes the skin, helping lớn combat some of the drying effects of retinol.
The serum also contains tocopherol & tocotrienol (super vi-ta-min E), which are both antioxidant-rich to help protect the skin from environmental aggressors.
This Korean retinol oil is formulated for intermediate-level retinol users that want to lớn improve skin radiance, fine lines, creases, and wrinkles while moisturizing with squalane.
The Benefits Of Retinol
Retinol is a derivative of vi-ta-min A that works by increasing cell turnover và stimulating collagen production, helping lớn reduce multiple visible signs of aging.
After applying retinol khổng lồ your skin, it needs two conversions to become active. It first converts to retinaldehyde (retinal) và then converts khổng lồ retinoic acid, the active form of retinol.
Retinol -> Retinaldehyde -> Retinoic Acid
Retinoic acid is the form of vi-ta-min A that can actually affect gen expression, which is why it has so many anti-aging benefits. Also known as tretinoin, retinoic acid is the active ingredient in prescription-only treatments for acne and wrinkles.
Retinol offers many benefits for the skin:
Stimulates collagen production for firmer skinReduces fine lines và wrinkles
Fades dark spots and acne scarring
Smoothes uneven skin texture
Evens out uneven skin tone, discoloration, & hyperpigmentation
Helps control oil by regulating sebum production
Improves acne
Improves skin elasticity
The Drawbacks Of Retinol
Of course, we can’t discuss all of the wonderful things that retinol does for our skin without discussing the main drawbacks of retinol.
If you’ve read through this post, you’ll know what I’m about to lớn say: retinol has the potential to irritate your skin and cause redness, dryness, peeling, and/or flaking.
It’s important lớn introduce retinol slowly into your routine and build up your tolerance khổng lồ it. Start with using the lowest concentration available & increase usage as tolerated. Since every retinol formulation is different, finding the formula that works for your skin type và the right concentration for your skin’s needs is essential.
If you try a retinol product và experience excessive irritation, it’s best to take a break or switch to lớn a lower concentration.
It will take your skin some time to lớn adjust to lớn retinol, so be patient and monitor your skin’s reaction.
One other drawback to note is that retinol can make your skin more sensitive khổng lồ the sun. Always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher when using retinol (and even when not using retinol).
The sun causes 90% of the visible changes to the skin, including signs of aging lượt thích wrinkles, fine lines, và hyperpigmentation.
Related Post: Avene Retrin
AL Review
The Bottom Line
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane & all of The Ordinary retinoid & retinol formulations are affordable, making them accessible regardless of your budget.
The Ordinary’s retinol products are vegan, cruelty-free, & don’t contain any added fragrance.
I’ve seen great results from this mid-range retinol concentration. I think including squalane in this 0.5% serum has helped keep my skin dryness at bay.
If you want to địa chỉ a retinol serum lớn your skincare routine and are ready for a 0.5% concentration, this serum is a great choice.
Just remember khổng lồ increase usage as tolerated to lớn avoid irritation.
With the right retinol product and proper precautions, this powerhouse ingredient can take your skin khổng lồ the next level. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!
