PRODUCT REVIEW
The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% in Squalane
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Product summary
What can the product work for?
Anti-blemish
What does the product description say?
It also encourages natural cell turnover, helping to promote softer and healthier-looking skin while working to minimise the appearance of blemishes and dark spots.As retinol can cause irritation to the skin, newer technologies now exist to mimic the visible effects of retinol without causing as much discomfort for the skin.
retinol
3% -
4.6%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol 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. It can, however, be quite irritating
rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract
0.3% -
0.7%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
Key Benefits Works to reduce the appearance of fine lines and general skin ageing Promotes healthier-looking skin while minimising the look of blemishes Water and silicone-free solution with 0.2% retinol Vitamin A-rich retinol helps minimise signs of hyperpigmentation Vegan and cruelty-free UK200029822
retinol
3% -
4.6%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol 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. It can, however, be quite irritating
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
It also encourages natural cell turnover, helping to promote softer and healthier-looking skin while working to minimise the appearance of blemishes and dark spots.As retinol can cause irritation to the skin, newer technologies now exist to mimic the visible effects of retinol without causing as much discomfort for the skin.
retinol
3% -
4.6%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol 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. It can, however, be quite irritating
Exfoliation
retinol
3% -
4.6%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol 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. It can, however, be quite irritating
Anti-oxidation
retinol
3% -
4.6%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol 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. It can, however, be quite irritating
hydroxymethoxyphenyl decanone
0.35% -
0.8%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
An anti-oxidant. Is also called 6-paradol. It might be able to neutralize free radicals in skin. The manufacturer claims that it is able to stimulate synthesis of hyaluronic acid in skin, but there is no evidence of effectiveness of this ingredient so far. The only evidence of efficacy for this ingredient so far come from small lab tests. This ingredient comes together with Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride as part of the complex called SymDecanox HA produced by a cosmetic ingredient supplier Symrise.
rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract
0.3% -
0.7%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Anti-aging | |
| Evens skin tone | |
| Anti-blemish |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
100/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 0
Potential irritants
retinol
3% -
4.6%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-oxidation,
Exfoliation,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-blemish,
Mattifying,
Anti-aging
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol 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. It can, however, be quite irritating
rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract
0.3% -
0.7%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-blemish,
Antibacterial,
Anti-oxidation
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
No comodogenic ingredients detected
User reviews (2)
Recommend
2 reviews
0%
|
100%
How well does it work against blemishes?
1 review
Poor
Excellent
How well does it work for evening out skin tone?
1 review
Poor
Excellent
How would you describe the texture?
2 reviews
heavy
Light
How much does this product clog
pores?
2 reviews
Definitely clogs pores
Doesn't clog pores
How would you describe the smell?
2 reviews
No smell
Light fragrance
Strong fragrance
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
retinol
3% -
4.6%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-oxidation,
Exfoliation,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-blemish,
Mattifying,
Anti-aging
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol 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. It can, however, be quite irritating
rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract
0.3% -
0.7%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-blemish,
Antibacterial,
Anti-oxidation
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
Show more
Potential irritants
retinol
3% -
4.6%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-oxidation,
Exfoliation,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-blemish,
Mattifying,
Anti-aging
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol 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. It can, however, be quite irritating
rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract
0.3% -
0.7%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-blemish,
Antibacterial,
Anti-oxidation
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
We couldn't find any comodogenic ingredients in this product
All ingredients
squalane
25% -
38%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
caprylic/capric triglyceride
8.7% -
13.1%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
simmondsia chinensis seed oil
5% -
7.4%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
Show more
Ingredient list view
Squalane, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Retinol, Solanum lycopersicum fruit extract, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl decanone, Bht
Sources
- Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety
- Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol)
- A comparative study of the effects of retinol and retinoic acid on histological, molecular, and clinical properties of human skin
- Allergic contact dermatitis induced by rosemary leaf extract in a cleansing gel
- Safety Assessment of Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary)-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics
- Rosmarinus officinalis Extract Suppresses Propionibacterium acnes–Induced Inflammatory Responses
- COMPOSITION COMPRISING A CROSSLINKED HYALURONIC ACID (HA) IN COMBINATION WITH A LOW-MOLECULAR HA AND/OR AN AGENT STIMULATING ENDOGENOUS HA SYNTHESIS