Index / Cosrx / Retinol 0.5%
Cosrx

Retinol 0.5%.

Cosrx
Retinol 0.5%
Retinoids

About this product

A lightweight retinol serum formulated with 0.5% retinol and vitamin E, designed to support skin renewal and anti-aging while providing hydration.

Best for

Mature skin
Retinoids

The Guru Index verdict

78%

Approved

Approved · 78%
2Reviewers
2Approved
0Mixed
0Skip

What the gurus are saying

Gurus praise this as a well-balanced retinol that delivers strength without excessive harshness, making it suitable for those ready to move beyond beginner formulas. The consensus is that it's more tolerable than comparable 0.5% retinols on the market, with hydrating properties that reduce typical retinol dryness. It remains too potent for sensitive or first-time retinol users, but strikes a sweet spot for intermediate users seeking consistency-based results.
Synthesized from 2 expert reviews

Key actives & flags

RetinoidVitamin ESqualaneFragrance-freeAlcohol-free

Full ingredients

Squalane, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Di-C12-13 Alkyl Malate, Retinol (0.5%), Caprylic/​Capric Triglyceride, BHT, Tocotrienols, Tocopherol, Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Trehalose, Panthenol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/​VP Copolymer, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/​Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Stearate, Polysilicone-11, Sodium Sulfite, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Retinol (0.1%), Allantoin, Glyceryl Caprylate

Every take, in full

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Approved only Skip only Mixed only Hide sponsored
Approved
"COSRX Retinol 0.5 is a super vitamin E plus one. So it's moisturizing as it is a retinol. It's a great product. But that's retinol, so it's going to be a little bit more for not for sensitive skin. I don't want to say that because the new trend is not to thrash your skin like crazy. It's to use gentler products that are effective used consistently in a strategic way."
Approved
"It's strong but gentle. No D Ordinary 0.5% I would never recommend as your first retinol because it is a strong formula and it's scaling. It's like hydrating, oily types. The formula is strong, but this is on number four. It has 0.5% retinol. If you are size try something and Cosrx Retinol 0.5%, which is an red, it also has 0.5% concentration. It is really beautiful. That is 0.3 and then you go less concentration which has 0.2% retinol and one percent peptide. Again if you don't want to apply peptide separately, don't apply retinol separately, fabulous option, beginner friendly. And then you go the request cream which has 0.1% retinol. It is gentle with 0.5%."
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