Retinol 0.5% in Squalane — Reddit Reviews
by The Ordinary
Updated September 5, 2026
0.5% retinol in a moisturizing carrier improves texture but often irritates skin.
What the community says
A 0.5% retinol serum suspended in squalane offers hydration alongside anti-aging benefits. Commonly used 2-3 nights weekly, it’s favored for texture smoothing but often causes irritation, especially on sensitive or dry skin. Gradual introduction is crucial due to potential purging and dryness.
What this means for you
Backed by 20 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/scacjdiscussion and 5 more.
Read the threads ↓What people love
- 0.5% retinol strength offers visible anti-aging and texture benefits
- Squalane base adds hydration, reducing dryness typical of retinol
- Supported as a starter retinol for users easing into retinoids
Watch out for
- Causes irritation and retinol burn, particularly for sensitive skin
- May worsen redness and damage skin barrier if overused or layered wrong
- Squalane texture disliked by some, feels heavy for oily skin types
Product details
Where to buy
Real Reddit threads — 45 mentions across 20 threads
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane on Reddit, in one place — 20 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/scacjdiscussion and 5 more, summarized.
“Retinol every other night (The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane)”
Positive
“My texture is way better, and my skin feels healthier overall.”
Positive
“This is how I cleared my acne”
Positive
“I’m loving my 0.5% retinol in squalane and my azelaic acid from the ordinary!”
Positive
“My skin has never looked better!”
Positive
“TO Retinol 0.5”
Positive
“i started with the ordinary retinol 0.5% and worked up from there”
Positive
“the two things that made the biggest difference for me were adding a vitamin c serum in the morning ... and a retinol at night a few times a week.”
Positive
“i use the timeless one ... and a retinol at night a few times a week”
Positive
“is it ok to follow that will TO’s Retinol 0.5% in squalane?”
Mentioned
“My TO in squalane smells weird since it went back and forth from Greece in a plane's hole :/”
Mentioned
“What’s the most powerful retinoid product available over the counter?”
Mentioned
“In terms of products I use it’s the ... the ordinary 0.5% retinol”
Mentioned
“I’ve been using the same 4 products for a while and things were fine and now suddenly I’ve noticed more pimples coming out.”
Mentioned
“I’m not sure if it’s because of the products I’ve been using or because of the water.”
Mentioned
“I think I currently have The Ordinary Retinol in Squalene in my fridge that I’ve barely touched. Probably the 0.5%”
Cautionary
“I don’t love the squalene sitting on my face so I haven’t really used it.”
Cautionary
“Do you have a retinol you’d recommend?”
Cautionary
