The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane Dupes & Cheaper Alternatives
70nextscore· 35 verdictsnextscore is a 0–100 score built from verdicts: posts and comments that come down clearly for or against a product. Today those verdicts come from Reddit discussions. Thinly discussed products are pulled toward the catalog average, and below 5 verdicts there is no score at all. How nextscore works
What Reddit recommends instead — 44 products with similar benefits · Analyzed 83 threads · Updated October 5, 2026
Same active: retinol
Showing 6 of 14
Other retinol products Reddit recommends
- 34mentions
Some By Mi
Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum96nextscore4 shared traits·34 mentions
Starter retinoid with 0.1% retinol
- 22mentions
Trader Joe's
Retinol Night Serum71nextscore2 shared traits·22 mentions
0.3% retinol without prescription fuss
- 16mentions
La Roche-Posay
Retinol B3 Pure Retinol Serum79nextscore2 shared traits·16 mentions
Easy OTC retinol starter
- 9mentions
91nextscore2 shared traits·9 mentions
Very gentle starter retinoid
- 7mentions
2 shared traits·7 mentions
0.2% retinol starter with retinal and centella support
Cheaper options
prices updated daily
~$6 · ~$5 less
$0.20/ml vs $0.40/ml
87nextscore· 286 verdicts
~$6 · ~$4 less
$0.23/ml vs $0.40/ml
92nextscore· 113 verdicts
Geek & Gorgeous
B-Bomb 10% Niacinamide Serum~$7 · ~$4 less
$0.24/ml vs $0.40/ml
90nextscore· 6 verdicts
For Dehydration
- Best for Dehydration
95nextscore8 shared traits·128 recommendations
Beta-Glucan powers this serum to deeply hydrate and soothe skin stressed by tretinoin, boosting barrier repair.
“Beta glucan already helps with hydration.”
- 87recs
88nextscore8 shared traits·87 recommendations
Low molecular weight formula hydrates deeply and layers comfortably on sensitive, dry skin without stickiness.
“Some hyaluronic acid products I’ve personally used and liked are Torriden Dive-In Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
- 37recs87nextscore
10 shared traits·37 recommendations
Centella Asiatica Extract calms sensitive skin flares with soothing hydration and visibly reduces redness for eczema-prone types.
- 10recs
La Roche-Posay
Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum87nextscore3 shared traits·10 recommendations
Applying this serum on damp skin before moisturizer helps with deep hydration and skin plumpness for users post-laser treatments.
- 3recs
4 shared traits·3 recommendations
Serum jelly texture appeals to those wanting lightweight, glassy skin hydration before makeup.
- 12recs
92nextscore2 shared traits·12 recommendations
Long-time favorite for lightweight hydration, it absorbs quickly on a wet face and cools without heaviness.
For Redness / Irritation
- Best for Redness / Irritation87nextscore
10 shared traits·90 recommendations
Centella Asiatica extract calms skin flares, soothes sensitive skin, and layers well under active treatments and makeup.
“This stuff is like a gentle veil that calms redness and irritation, sits well under makeup, very good to use if you also use tret or acids.”
- 119recs
81nextscore9 shared traits·119 recommendations
Lightweight hydrating serum with 10% azelaic acid calms sensitive, rosacea-prone skin nightly without irritation.
“Is the Anua 10 any good for my skin?”
- 30recs
90nextscore9 shared traits·30 recommendations
Centella and peptides in this serum actively soothe skin and bolster barrier resilience during flare-ups.
- 21recs92nextscore
6 shared traits·21 recommendations
Fermented centella and lactobacillus boost barrier repair for folks irritated by tretinoin or actives.
- 7recs
Torriden
Balanceful Cica Serum95nextscore5 shared traits·7 recommendations
Centella-rich formula calms acne-prone, dehydrated skin with a gel-like texture for targeted soothing and hydration.
- 4recs
Cos De BAHA
Tranexamic Acid 10% Serum80nextscore3 shared traits·4 recommendations
Tranexamic Acid 10% Serum calms sensitive skin with aloe-like slip, hydrating redness and eczema-prone texture under makeup.
For Acne
- Best for Acne81nextscore
9 shared traits·60 recommendations
10% azelaic acid serum calms redness and clears stubborn bumps, helping users maintain a clear complexion.
“Anua 10+ has a nice one that also helps to maintain skin barrier, and is good for sensitive and acne prone skin!”
- 8recs
74nextscore7 shared traits·8 recommendations
Niacinamide plus spicules excel for cystic breakouts by calming inflamed patches and reducing redness in sensitive skin.
“if i have a cyst pop up i use it on it ... and it works so well, but if you have sensitive skin start low with this product”
- 3recs
SkinCeuticals
C E Ferulic84nextscore4 shared traits·3 recommendations
Vitamin C serum with 15% L-ascorbic acid does not trigger breakouts and improves spots and eczema.
- 4recs95nextscore
8 shared traits·4 recommendations
Beta-Glucan hydrates and calms oily, acne-prone skin without causing breakouts or dryness.
- 4recs90nextscore
9 shared traits·4 recommendations
Complex soothing formula balances redness and supports skin barrier with Centella, niacinamide, and multiple peptides.
- 7recs92nextscore
6 shared traits·7 recommendations
Hydrating and soothing irritations from tretinoin, this ampoule suits oily skin on retinoids with no new breakouts.
For Hyperpigmentation
- Best for Hyperpigmentation
SkinCeuticals
C E Ferulic84nextscore4 shared traits·7 recommendations
L-ascorbic acid at 15% concentration visibly brightens skin and lessens dark spots over time.
“The skinceuticals CE ferulic made my hyperpigmentation less visible and my skin overall brighter as well.”
- 21recs
85nextscore7 shared traits·21 recommendations
20% vitamin C concentration offers potent brightening to reduce dark spots with daily morning application under sunscreen.
“It completely erased my sun spots in three months.”
- 51recs81nextscore
9 shared traits·51 recommendations
Lightweight serum with soothing hyaluronic acid calms redness and visibly fades post-acne dark marks in sensitive skin users.
- 46recs
Melano CC
Intensive Anti-Spot Essence90nextscore7 shared traits·46 recommendations
Vitamin C in a Japanese essence closely targets post-acne marks with gentle, gradual brightening effects in an air-tight tube.
- 27recs
65nextscore5 shared traits·27 recommendations
Tranexamic acid targets stubborn dark spots, used by people with acne scars and combination skin routinely in AM routines.
- 3recs
82nextscore3 shared traits·3 recommendations
Vitamin C at 5% concentration helps fade dark spots from picked pimples when paired with niacinamide and sunscreen.
For Anti-Aging
- Best for Anti-Aging74nextscore
7 shared traits·7 recommendations
Micro-needling effect boosts absorption of actives for mature skin, improving texture, tone, and reducing pore size.
“Basically you want to think of it as your “step zero” — it kind of acts as a mini micro-needling treatment so it’s going to help with the absorption of whatever you put on top.”
- 7recs
SkinCeuticals
C E Ferulic84nextscore4 shared traits·7 recommendations
Vitamin C serum with 15% L-ascorbic acid visibly improves skin elasticity and reduces fine lines around eyes.
“Changes: Added CE Ferulic + tretinoin + tinted SPF”
- 15recs
Medik8
Crystal Retinal93nextscore10 shared traits·15 recommendations
Retinaldehyde concentrations cater to sensitive skin progressing from level 1 to 6, supporting gradual strength increase.
- 12recs85nextscore
7 shared traits·12 recommendations
Vitamin C at 20% concentration targets forehead wrinkles and boosts collagen for glowy, youthful skin.
- 8recs
Medik8
Liquid Peptides89nextscore4 shared traits·8 recommendations
Complex multi-peptide serum targets early wrinkles and firmness for users in their 50s seeking noticeable plumping effects.
- 3recs91nextscore
2 shared traits·3 recommendations
Retinol-packed formula from a Korean brand visibly fades fine lines on forehead and smile lines after weeks of use.
More alternatives
34mentions
Some By Mi
Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum96nextscore
4 shared traits·34 mentions
Starter retinoid with 0.1% retinol
21mentions
Skin1004
Azelaic Acid 10 Ampoule93nextscore
4 shared traits·21 mentions
10% azelaic acid with real acne-closing cred
17mentions
The Inkey List
15% Vitamin C And EGF Serum82nextscore
3 shared traits·17 mentions
15% vitamin C with EGF
35mentions
Mad Hippie
Vitamin C Serum83nextscore
2 shared traits·35 mentions
SAP vitamin C, not the usual stingy L-ascorbic acid
27mentions
Beauty of Joseon
Light On Serum : Centella + Vita C87nextscore
2 shared traits·27 mentions
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid without the L-AA sting
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