The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion
Works for
Anti-blemishRetinalWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: retinal. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Evens skin toneRetinal, Lactic acidWorks well
“Retinal 0.2% Emulsion is a very high strength retinoid formula that rapidly firms and smooths skin, while noticeably reducing the appearance of dark spots.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: retinal.
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-agingRetinal, Tocopherol + 2 moreWorks well
“With a high 0.2% concentration of retinal, Retinal 0.2% Emulsion is able to noticeably improve skin firmness and improve the look of lines and wrinkles, including crow’s feet, frown lines, and forehead wrinkles.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains retinal.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Coco-caprylate/caprate, Cetylhydroxyproline palmitamide + 11 moreWorks
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
biosaccharide gum-1, sodium lactate.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: cetylhydroxyproline palmitamide, brassica campestris sterols.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Retinal, Zingiber officinale root extractMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
1 of 2 community members would buy it again.
It leaves yellow skin and yellow spots which are hard to remove
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Coco-caprylate/caprate~5.1–6.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/capratePropanediol~4.2–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolPentylene glycol~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolHydroxyapatite~2.6–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Retinal~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
One step removed from the biologically active in skin form of vitamin A. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinal is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. Concentrations of 0.05% and 0.1% are shown to be effective. It can, however, be irritating
More about RetinalCetylhydroxyproline palmitamide~1.7–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Cetylhydroxyproline palmitamide4-t-butylcyclohexanol~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydroxyphenyl propamidobenzoic acid~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help to reduce inflammation in skin, but solid research is lacking
More about Hydroxyphenyl propamidobenzoic acidErgothioneine~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can help neutralize free radicals in skin. Preliminary studies show that it can be more effective than coenzyme Q10 but studies on effective concentration for topical applications are lacking
More about ErgothioneineBiosaccharide gum-1~0.7–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and is claimed to provide a longer-lasting hydration because of its ability to create a water-binding film on the surface of the skin
More about Biosaccharide gum-1Bisabolol~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololBrassica campestris sterols~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Help soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Brassica campestris sterolsZingiber officinale root extract~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can contain an irritating essential oil. Might have some anti-oxidant effect, but evidence is lacking
More about Zingiber officinale root extractButylene glycol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolIsohexadecane~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Improves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent
More about IsohexadecaneHexyldecanol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about HexyldecanolMaltodextrin~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinCaesalpinia spinosa gum~0.45–0.65%
Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerStearic acid~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidIsoceteth-20~0.25–0.45%
Polysorbate 60~0.25–0.45%
Ascorbyl palmitate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable and can penetrate the skin better than L-Ascorbic acid. It is effective in protecting the skin from free radicals, as well as evening the skin tone, but is less effective in stimulating collagen production compared to L-Ascorbic acid.
More about Ascorbyl palmitateTocopherol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolLactic acid~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidSodium lactate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product
More about Sodium lactateSodium hydroxide~0.15–0.25%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.2%
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolChlorphenesin~0.1–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Propanediol, Pentylene glycol, Hydroxyapatite, Retinal, Cetylhydroxyproline palmitamide, 4-t-butylcyclohexanol, Hydroxyphenyl propamidobenzoic acid, Ergothioneine, Biosaccharide gum-1, Bisabolol, Brassica campestris sterols, Zingiber officinale root extract, Butylene glycol, Isohexadecane, Hexyldecanol, Maltodextrin, Caesalpinia spinosa gum, Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Stearic acid, Isoceteth-20, Polysorbate 60, Ascorbyl palmitate, Tocopherol, Lactic acid, Sodium lactate, Sodium hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| The OrdinaryRetinal 0.2% EmulsionYOUR PRODUCT | Geek GorgeousA-Game 5 | Dr. Whitney Bowe BeautyRetinal Night | TulaA+ renewal advanced retinal & peptides serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 79% | 75% | 75% |
| Price | $14.90 | $17.53+$2.63 | $99.00+$84.10 | $40.60+$25.70 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 7 | 3 of 7 | 2 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Panthenol | Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 | Ceramide As |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Ursa Major Lunar Bloom Retinal SerumVENN Skincare Retinal Infusion MLV5 Serum
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 2
- 3A comparison of the relative antioxidant potency of L‐ergothioneine and idebenoneonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.