PRODUCT REVIEW
The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane
Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Evens skin tone
- Anti-aging
- Anti-blemish
- Moisturizing
Show more
Can it cause trouble?
Buy from Amazon US $9.30
More options from: $8.00
Price as of 7/8/2025 1:21 GMT.
More info
Add to Compare
Cheaper alternatives
Product summary
What can the product work for?
Works 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?
The highly stable retinol present in this formula works to reduce the appearance of fine lines, photo damage and general signs of skin ageing.
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
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
BEIJA FLOR ELASTI-CREAM Sol de Janeiro bring you a nourishing, moisture-rich cream designed to boost the skin’s elasticity.
squalane
25% -
38%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Anti-aging | |
| Evens skin tone | |
| Anti-blemish |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
100/100.
Buy now
We receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no cost for you. Thank you for your support! Learn more
US Retailers
UK Retailers
AU Retailers
.png?width=10&height=10&q=50&func=fit){kind=small}
Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 0
Potential irritants
retinol
3% -
4.6%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Exfoliation,
Mattifying,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-blemish,
Anti-aging,
Anti-oxidation
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 (9)
Recommend
9 reviews
17%
|
83%
How well does it work for anti-aging?
5 reviews
Poor
Excellent
How well does it work against blemishes?
5 reviews
Poor
Excellent
How well does it work for evening out skin tone?
5 reviews
Poor
Excellent
How would you describe the texture?
8 reviews
heavy
Light
How much does it pill under makeup?
5 reviews
A lot
Not at all
How much does this product clog
pores?
9 reviews
Definitely clogs pores
Doesn't clog pores
How would you describe the smell?
9 reviews
No smell
Light fragrance
Strong fragrance
Loading...
Similar products & dupes
| The Ordinary - Retinol 1% in Squalane |  COSRX - The Retinol 0.5 Oil Sponsored |  Summer Fridays - Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum |  Sothys - Cosmeceutique RX Retinol Dermobooster |  SVR - Ampoule Lift [A] |  No Cosmetics - Retinol Serum renew today | COSRX - The Retinol 0.5 Oil |  InstaNatural - 2.5% Retinol Bakuchiol Serum |  Augustinus Bader - The Retinol Serum |  Selfless by Hyram - Retinol and Rainbow Algae Repair Serum |  SkinMedica - Age Defense Retinol Complex .25 |  The INKEY List CA - Selfless by Hyram Retinol And Rainbow Algae Night Repair Serum | |
| Price | ||||||||||||
| WIMJ similarity score |
86%
|
91%
|
88%
|
88%
|
87%
|
86%
|
85%
|
85%
|
85%
|
85%
|
85%
| |
| Key ingredients |
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other: | Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other: |
| Irritancy | IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
|
| Potential Irritants |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| All ingredients |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
retinol
3% -
4.6%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Exfoliation,
Mattifying,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-blemish,
Anti-aging,
Anti-oxidation
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:
Exfoliation,
Mattifying,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-blemish,
Anti-aging,
Anti-oxidation
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