The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane, High-Strength Retinol Serum for Anti-Aging and Skin Smoothing

It's less than $10, after 5½ weeks, I have 70% of the bottle left and it’s WORKING. Keep reading for my experience❣️ •photo is my "after" 5 full weeks• I couldn't find any "before" pics without makeup or sunglasses, and doesn't that just say it all ♡ I have sensitive skin, combination skin. Like many, I've tried so many products being in my late 30s. I struggle with hormonal acne, which makes skin care hard. Plus, forehead & neck wrinkles, etc. This product has clearly listed ingredients, vegan, no animal testing. Note: This particular product is 1% retinol squalane & is not necessarily for beginners. If you burn or get dry skin easily, maybe start with a lower concentration, but me being me, I wanted results and went all in. I was not disappointed! And I didn’t notice any particular smell, which I appreciate. Pro Tip: Keep in the fridge! Feels amazing and recommended on the box to extend potency. My Trial and Error! •Week 1: I skipped the recommended test patch & I started at 4 nights a week. Maybe a little ambitious😅 My skin broke out with whitehead acne in not my typical zones, a bit oily, not looking like my typical zits. Ifykyk. Week 2: Did a little research, the retinol strength and quality literally pushed all dead skin, imperfections, embedded dirt/environmental junk to the surface as my skin regrowth sped up. This was causing those whiteheads as impurities purged. This is normal for retinol products (according to multiple sources.) So I slowed down a bit to twice weekly. I still lightly broke out with a few pimples, but it was gone in a day or 2. Meanwhile, I’m already noticing fine lines improving, a better glow and overall my skin doesn’t look so flat/dull. Hydration— I’d say A for combo skin. Maybe use a little less for oily skin or check out The Ordinary website for routine-building options. Week 3: I’m in the zone integrating into my skin care routine. Personally, I use this product at night after cleanser and alcohol-free toner (not The Ordinary brand, but products that work for me and I trust). I use less than one dropper for my whole face and neck. The serum needs to be totally dry and absorbed. then finish with moisturizer. Halfway through Week 3 I add an extra night. Week 4: I’m at 3 nights a week. Occasional whiteheads. *To be clear! my hormonal acne didn’t change at all, there’s a difference. Retinol doesn't target acne so i didn't expect any change there* Noticeably reduced fine wrinkles on my forehead, my skin tone seems more even, my face looks less flat and more healthy. Some of my self-loathed deep lines look better. Best of all, I FEEL better. Up to 4 nights a week. Week 5: Personal life was rough, routine not as consistent but skin still looks good. Not like one of those creams where you miss a day and you’re back to ground zero. I did 2 days that week. Week 6: I’m actively building a better skin care nightly routine using The Ordinary, but still keeping a few other brand products I love. My 17-year-old son actaully NOTICED, and my favorite barista told me I had a “glow.” 🫶🏽 I can’t wait to try the Niacinamide serum next! **hit the thumbs up if this review helped you please!**

I’ve been using this retinol a few evenings a week, and it’s one of the stronger over-the-counter retinol products I’ve tried. The 1% concentration is no joke, so I started slowly and always followed with a good moisturizer. The squalane base makes it feel silky and helps reduce some of the dryness, although I still noticed a little peeling during the first couple of weeks. The glass bottle and dropper feel sturdy, and everything arrived well packaged and sealed, just as shown in the photos. The serum itself is a lightweight oil that spreads easily—a few drops cover my entire face. After several days of consistent use, my skin already felt smoother, and my overall texture looked more refined. The only downside is the oily finish, which takes a little time to absorb, and beginners may find the strength too much if they don’t ease into it. Overall, I think it’s an excellent value for an effective high-strength retinol

This stuff is great! I have old, sun-abused skin on arms, and some hematoma damage to skin on my lower legs (I had a bad cut, and after getting it stiched up, we didnt apply enough pressure to keep it from bleeding under the skin, so my calves swelled up like Popeye's forearms. That left the skin pretty badly stretched and its still painful when I brush up against something). So arms first: Wow, this is really effective, and quickly. I use 5 drops spread out along each arm, and them quickly rub it over the area I want to cover. Quickly cuz it absorbs and starts to dry pretty quickly, like 30 seconds. I've been using Gold Bond, medicated, for couple years, and that helps some on smoothing out the skin for a while. But this stuff is great. It says to keep it out of daylight (makes skin sun-sensitive), so I put it on at night, and the next morning, nice smooth arms! On the stretched, painful skin on legs, this seems to be helping make them less sensitive, and look better. Retinol is said to repair skin by accelerating cell turnover and boosting collagen, and it seems to be doing that. And bonus, I get weeks of usage from a bottle (only apply drops at a time), and it lasts waaaay longer than other retinol brands and types that dont last very long, and dont apply as evenly and easily as this. I've included a before and after pic for how effective it is. And yes, I would (and do) buy again. Better than anything else I've found.

I've used retinoids before, and this 1% Retinol in Squalane is definitely one of the strongest options from The Ordinary. The squalane base helps reduce dryness and leaves my skin feeling nourished while still delivering the benefits of retinol. With consistent use, my skin looks smoother, more even, and refreshed. If you're new to retinol, start with a lower strength first, but for experienced users looking for a stronger formula, this is an excellent option at a great price. ✨ A little goes a long way, and don't forget sunscreen during the day! 🌞💕

Love this product! I apply at night, as it is rather oily, and by morning my skin feels smoother. I do not notice much of a change on my acne scars. So I’m unsure if this brightens/lightens then. But I have noticed an improvement in the overall texture of my skin. I have seen other negative reviews about the oil consistency of this product- I think it is perfect for overnight wear! It can be drying, so I started slowly a few days a week. I also started by using the lower dosage. That (same size) bottle lasted me about 4 months and then I purchased this one! I do not notice a smell! Overall recommend!

What a surprise! I have strawberry skin on my arms around shoulders and any creams made looks better before but this one. It's like a first time in my life that my both arms feel so smooth and nice. No irritation at all and I put sunscreen so the new sensitive skin won't be damaged. I also use it on my face but I got a small reaction around my eyes which I avoid now. Of course it's got better in few days and my skin feels better. I only put around my forehead, nose and cheeks and never forget to put sunscreen next day. this one is strong so if you have a sensitive skin then you should get 0.5% first. My face feels much smoother and brighter with this price?! I can't live with this one now lol

I've always heard of "anti-aging" skincare. After buying some budget friendly products with this claim, I believed only the crazy expensive stuff would actually work as advertised. Then I bought this. The Ordinary retinol 1% in squalane has been an absolute game changer for my oily, acne prone skin. It's always rough and dull, and the pores around my T-zone are always huge. This product has made my skin very smooth and I notice my pores are a little smaller. WARNING: Do NOT use on skin around the eyes. No matter how I tried to ease my way to applying in that area, the skin always ended up very dry and even burned. It took a whole week for the burn to go away, and applying anything on that area stung like crazy. You would be better off buying a retinol product specifically for the eye area. Also, remember to store in the fridge. As long as I waited for the product to absorb before applying moisturizer, my skin did not get greasy. I also do not notice any fragrance. I 100% recommend this product, but PLEASE do your research on retinol before using it, or you will do more harm than good to your skin. I definitely learned the hard way.

Seems okay but why does it require refrigeration? Very oily, sits on your face due to the squalene. Didn't irritate or cause break outs, just oily - like olive oil. I didn't particularly care for this product

Un poco grasoso, pero aun así un producto muy bueno. Mi piel luce increíble cuando me despierto por la mañana.

Good quality

This is a powerful serum. I always make sure to use a gentle cleanser first to prep my face, then apply this in the evening before bed. Because the consistency is like a bit like oil, it takes a little while to fully absorb into the skin. ​I wake up with noticeably more hydrated and plumper skin in the morning! There is no strong fragrance to worry about either. Just use with caution and remember to work your way up to this percentage if you're new to retinol, as it is a strong formula. Overall, a fantastic product if used correctly.

Ich benutze das The Ordinary Retinol 1% in jetzt schon eine Weile und bin insgesamt sehr zufrieden damit. Das Serum wirkt sehr hochwertig und hat bei mir sichtbar die Hautstruktur verbessert. Meine Haut fühlt sich glatter an und kleine Unreinheiten sowie feine Linien sind weniger geworden. Man sollte aber beachten, dass es relativ stark ist. Am Anfang kann es zu leichter Reizung oder Trockenheit kommen, deshalb sollte man es langsam in die Routine einbauen. Gerade in den Sonnenmonaten muss man besonders aufpassen, da Retinol die Haut empfindlicher gegenüber UV-Strahlen macht.

Thanks to the presence of squalane, one can start using 1% retinol directly on the face at night without experiencing dryness, as the moisturizing properties of squalane help prevent it. However, in my opinion, retinaldehyde—being closer to prescription-strength retinoids—can be more effective. It may cause dryness initially, but over time, the skin builds tolerance, and the results are often better. That said, retinol is still a great option when used consistently over a longer period.