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The Ordinary

Retinol 0.2% in Squalane.

The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% in Squalane
Retinoids

About this product

A lightweight retinoid serum combining 0.2% pure retinol with squalane and botanical oils, designed to reduce fine lines and support skin barrier health for beginners or sensitive skin.

Best for

Sensitive skinMature skinYounger skin
Retinoids

The Guru Index verdict

80%

Approved

✓Approved · 80%
5Reviewers
4Approved
1Mixed
0Skip

What the gurus are saying

The gurus who reviewed it praise this as an excellent starter retinol, especially for sensitive or dehydrated skin, because the squalane base provides hydration and barrier support while the retinol works on fine lines and skin thickness. One expert noted a clinical study showed 17% average reduction in wrinkle depth, and found it gentle enough that people rarely experienced peeling. However, one dermatologist flagged that the pipette packaging exposes retinol to air and makes it less stable than airless pump alternatives like Paula's Choice, though the price difference is significant. Those new to retinoids may want to introduce it very slowly after several months of other skin care, as starting too soon risks sensitivity and can undo earlier progress.
Synthesized from 5 expert reviews

Key actives & flags

RetinoidSqualaneFragrance-freeAlcohol-free

Full ingredients

Squalane, Caprylic/​Capric Triglyceride, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Retinol, Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, BHT, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Where to buy

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
No BS Beauty
No BS Beauty
89k subs · 2k devotees
✓Approved
"It's a decent retinoid. It's got a lot to like but it's pretty pricey, especially with the new packaging. Overall it'll be nice for most skin types I think could handle using this pretty easily even though it's newer to retinoids."
Mad About Skin
Mad About Skin
720k subs · 10k devotees
✓Approved
"My favorite serum from the ordinary banon zero competition is this this is the ordinary aloe 2% n 2% serum"
Top Pick: retinol
All 3 takes from Mad About Skin
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"My favorite serum from the ordinary banon zero competition is this this is the ordinary aloe 2% n 2% serum"
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"The ordinary airine solution affectionately known as Botox in a bottle"
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"I don't use it anymore because I switched to the Indeed Labs Synoxin, but this is still a great option. You apply it to your dynamic fine lines and wrinkles like the crow's feet, the elevenses, the laughter lines, and it over time it'll just lessen the appearance and depth of any of those wrinkles that you have. It gives an immediate plumping but long-term benefit too, and a study actually showed 17% reduction on average in the depth of wrinkles. That's really good for the price point. If you're on a budget, use this absolutely fine, nothing wrong with going for this."
Dr. Somji Skin
Dr. Somji Skin
356k subs
✓Approved
"Much later on, even after about 6, 7 even months, maybe just maybe once or even twice a week you can use the lowest strength retinol that Ordinary has because there's significant evidence showing that small amounts of retinol help thicken the skin and help with your barrier over time. If you introduce this retinol too soon then you could just reverse all of the effects that you've got because of a retinoid reaction and the fact that your skin is going to be a lot more sensitive, so I would really wait a number of months before introducing it very, very slowly."
All 3 takes from Dr. Somji Skin
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"Much later on, even after about 6, 7 even months, maybe just maybe once or even twice a week you can use the lowest strength retinol that Ordinary has because there's significant evidence showing that small amounts of retinol help thicken the skin and help with your barrier over time. If you introduce this retinol too soon then you could just reverse all of the effects that you've got because of a retinoid reaction and the fact that your skin is going to be a lot more sensitive, so I would really wait a number of months before introducing it very, very slowly."
Retinol Revelations: The Ultimate Guide to Retinol and Retinoids with Dr. Somji & Dr. Solomon
"This is a retinol in squalane, and squalane is an excellent emollient and in fact one of the best around. What that does is provide that nice barrier and it would also encourage hydration of the skin. So whilst you're exfoliating the skin with the retinol, you prevent the dehydration of the skin, which is a risk if you just use a retinol on its own. The Ordinary range of retinols is great because you've got two different concentrations, so you can standardize that range as you're using it and get up the range. It's not bad for a beginner if you're in the well, first signs of aging."
Which Ordinary Retinol Is Right For You? | 6 Types of Retinols | Dr. Somji Explains The Ordinary
"The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% in Squalane is a very good starter retinol. It's a lot more lower in strength and it's for somebody with maybe sensitive skin, dehydrated skin, someone using Retinol for the first time. It's a water-free solution of 0.2% pure retinol. You've got squalene, you've got caprylic triglycerides, you've got jojoba seed oils and you've also got some fruit extract in here as well, so this is actually a nice formulation mainly because you've got retinol but then you've also got a few things to help with your skin barrier as well. So it's a great formulation for someone that's got a little bit sensitive skin and worried about some of the retinoid reactions that you can get."
Sincerely Miss Ash
Sincerely Miss Ash
194k subs · 4k devotees
✓Approved
"I really do like the retinol from The Ordinary. I feel like it is very moisturizing although it does have that oil like texture it is quite lightweight on the skin. I never experienced peeling with this formulation either and I did find it quite gentle as well. So I always used the 1%, even the 1% I did find was quite gentle. But of course we are all different, you might experience irritation and some dryness which is common as your skin becomes more accustomed to it."
Dr. Vanita Rattan
Dr. Vanita Rattan
1.22M subs · 10k devotees
~Mixed
"Number two I love retinols in airless pumps. Don't forget retinol is an antioxidant, it oxidizes in oxygen and becomes ineffective. Whereas if it's in an airless pump, it's protected, there's no oxygen around it. Right now The Ordinary doesn't use airless pumps, everything is in pipets, and so that would be one negative mark I would put against their retinol. The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% in Squalane is £7.40 versus Paula's Choice which is £59, so quite a bit more expensive. With Paula's Choice they put in 0.3% retinol which I love, they put in bakuchiol which is actually a very effective ingredient, it doesn't work the same way as Vitamin A but quite similar, and it's in an airless pump. So if I had to pick between The Ordinary and Paula's Choice, if you can afford it, I'd go with Paula's Choice."
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