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The Ordinary

Retinol 1% in Squalane.

The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane
Retinoids

About this product

A lightweight retinol treatment combining 1% retinol with squalane, designed to reduce fine lines and wrinkles while providing hydration and antioxidant support.

Best for

Mature skin
Retinoids

The Guru Index verdict

85%

Approved

Approved · 85%
5Reviewers
5Approved
0Mixed
0Skip

What the gurus are saying

Gurus consistently praise this formula as an effective, affordable entry point or long-term retinoid option, especially for sensitive or dry skin. The squalane base is repeatedly highlighted as a key strength, delivering moisturization and reducing the irritation typically associated with retinol. The main split centers on texture: most embrace the oil-like feel as lightweight and non-pilling, while some prefer cream formulations. Experts note this is the strongest retinol option in The Ordinary's OTC lineup and recommend careful titration for beginners, though the squalane cushioning makes it gentler than prescription alternatives.
Synthesized from 5 expert reviews

Key actives & flags

RetinoidSqualaneFragrance-freeAlcohol-free

Full ingredients

Squalane, Caprylic/​Capric Triglyceride, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Retinol 1.0%, Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, BHT

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
"If you have sensitive skin and haven't used a lot of retinoids, this is a nice one. It's got 1% retinol, which is a standard amount, but squalane is a great antioxidant and hydrating and skin identical ingredient. They paired it with that, as well as tomato extract, which is also a good antioxidant. This one would be a nice nighttime oil with a nice oil texture to it. It's very hydrating at the same time as fighting wrinkles and fine lines. It's a really nice formula. No fragrance, short ingredient list, very nice product."
All 2 takes from No BS Beauty
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"Their retinol one percent in squalane I've repurchased a few times and it's really wonderful. I use tretinoin or prescription retinoids, but I slowly work my way up using products like this. The retinol and squalane is a little heavy, but if you're using it in your evening routine it doesn't become as big of a deal because you're going to sleep usually after you do your evening routine, so the aesthetic feel of it in my evening routine isn't as big of a deal as opposed to if it were in my morning routine."
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"If you have sensitive skin and haven't used a lot of retinoids, this is a nice one. It's got 1% retinol, which is a standard amount, but squalane is a great antioxidant and hydrating and skin identical ingredient. They paired it with that, as well as tomato extract, which is also a good antioxidant. This one would be a nice nighttime oil with a nice oil texture to it. It's very hydrating at the same time as fighting wrinkles and fine lines. It's a really nice formula. No fragrance, short ingredient list, very nice product."
Approved
"The Ordinary makes a 1% retinol in squalane, so it helps with moisture as well. You don't have to use prescription strength tretinoin that's going to eat up your whole face like battery acid. You can start with something like an over-the-counter retinoid."
All 5 takes from Darnell Cox | 50+ Healthy Aging Expert
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"This for example is by The Ordinary, this is a 1% retinol in squalane which helps to moisturize the skin. Not only is it the number of steps away from being prescription that is going to change the effectiveness of that retinol, but how are those other active ingredients playing with your skin to where they're going to be more effective. The formulations also are important."
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"I like a retinoid with squalane in it. This is by The Ordinary, this is Retinol 1% in Squalane. This is one of the options for a nonprescription strength retinoid that I really love because it's super creamy and a lot of retinoids are not creamy. I like this because it's moisturizing with the squalane, and so it's really great for the body and often times the face as well."
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"The Ordinary makes a 1% retinol in squalane, so it helps with moisture as well. You don't have to use prescription strength tretinoin that's going to eat up your whole face like battery acid. You can start with something like an over-the-counter retinoid."
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"The Ordinary retinol 1% in squalane, these are over-the-counter that are great starters and even great forever. It's not like you have to go big or go home with retinoids, especially if you have super sensitive skin."
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"This is a great starter retinol. I love this because it's very watery, so it's in squalane which is like a moisturizing component. When you put this on, a couple of little drops and you can spread this on your whole arms. This is great because it comes in various strengths, so this is the strongest of the ones that The Ordinary offers over-the-counter retinol in squalane. The squalane is a natural moisturizer, so it's very moisturizing. If you've got dry skin or you don't want that dry cracked feel, that redness that normally happens, there's a lot of ingredients in here that help to diminish that and makes it a lot easier to use."
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. I always used the 1%, and even the 1% I did find was quite gentle. Of course, we are all different, you might experience irritation and some dryness, which is common as your skin becomes more accustomed to it. Then of course you may not experience the dryness and irritation."
All 3 takes from Sincerely Miss Ash
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"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. I always used the 1%, and even the 1% I did find was quite gentle. Of course, we are all different, you might experience irritation and some dryness, which is common as your skin becomes more accustomed to it. Then of course you may not experience the dryness and irritation."
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"I do enjoy the retinol one percent in squalane once in a while. I don't exactly like the texture of it; it is a little bit oily. I much prefer to use a cream-based retinol. With the retinol, if you're gonna go with the one percent, I feel like it's very gentle. I did not experience any irritation or dryness whatsoever, and I think it's because it's in that squalane base, so it does help to moisturize the skin and keep the skin comfortable. But again, I really don't like that oily feel on my skin. I used to use the ordinary one percent retinol on my neck and chest, and my skin tolerated it well, but I just feel like there are better options out there that have nicer textures and that work quicker."
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"The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane is the most affordable to be honest with you. I used to use this back in the past and I really like how it performs. It's moisturizing. I also like the way that it layers up with my skincare products. I've never had an issue with pilling, but also I feel like this is a very gentle formulation as well because it's in that squalane base. Of course, we all react differently to retinol, so you should always be cautious, and if you're new to retinol it's best to start with one or two days a week and then gradually increase your usage depending on how your skin is tolerating that product."
Approved
"It's the strongest one out there in the whole ordinary range. It's got squalane in it which is going to help with the skin barrier, but you have to exercise caution when using this retinol, especially if you're going to be using other chemical exfoliants within the range as well. You can start at 0.2, 0.5, and then slowly go up to 1%. That might take you a year to do, that might take you about three months to do, but it all depends on your skin type. The oilier your skin type, the more higher up the ladder you can start. You get some really good results from it, especially for anti-aging."
All 2 takes from Dr. Somji Skin
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"The third retinol product which is 1% in squalane is for like highly seasoned retinoid veterans, okay, people with really tough skin, people that have been using retinoids for years. It's the strongest one out there in the whole ordinary range. Exercise extreme caution with 1% in squalane, but sometimes you get some really good results from it, especially for anti-aging. It's got squalane in it which is going to help with the skin barrier, but you have to exercise caution when using this retinol, especially if you're going to be using other chemical exfoliants within the range as well."
Which Ordinary Retinol Is Right For You? | 6 Types of Retinols | Dr. Somji Explains The Ordinary
"It's the strongest one out there in the whole ordinary range. It's got squalane in it which is going to help with the skin barrier, but you have to exercise caution when using this retinol, especially if you're going to be using other chemical exfoliants within the range as well. You can start at 0.2, 0.5, and then slowly go up to 1%. That might take you a year to do, that might take you about three months to do, but it all depends on your skin type. The oilier your skin type, the more higher up the ladder you can start. You get some really good results from it, especially for anti-aging."
Approved
"If you're really on a budget, absolutely a gold standard is The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane, and I would go with retinol rather than Granactive because I think Granactives are unproven."
Top Pick: budget retinol
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