Retinol 0.5% in Squalane — Reddit Reviews
by The Ordinary
Updated September 24, 2026
0.5% retinol for acne and texture; expect irritation if you rush it.
What the community says
An anhydrous 0.5% retinol serum in squalane with jojoba and caprylic/capric triglyceride. Redditors use it for acne, texture, and early anti-aging, and the studies back acne improvement. Sensitive or dry skin often needs slow ramping and buffering.
What this means for you
Backed by 20 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/scacjdiscussion and 4 more.
Read the threads ↓What people love
Watch out for
- Retinol burn is common if you jump in fast
- Dryness and eye irritation show up in real routines
- Some acne-prone people break out on it
Product details
Concerns
Use caution
Skin Type
Where to buy
What the science says
Hyperpigmentation
Some evidence
Retinol: 5 studies tested it on its own. See all 14 studies
What the studies found
- All of these studies found retinol helped fade dark spots or patches
- Most studies found retinol made facial dark patches lighter
- Some studies found retinol worked about as well as other common dark-spot treatments
- A large review found retinol worked better than some other treatments for dark spots
Studied at 0.1–10%this product: 0.5%
Acne
Not proven yet
Few or mixed studies. This claim isn't established.
Retinol: 1 study tested it on its own. See all 4 studies
What the studies found
- It helped acne in the available study
- Retinol 0.2% reduced acne when used on its own
- The study was in people with red, sore spots
Studied at 0.03–1%this product: 0.5%
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
Real Reddit threads — 48 mentions across 20 threads
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane on Reddit, in one place — 20 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/scacjdiscussion and 4 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 was using The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% for about a year.”
Positive
“I told him I’d been on 0.5% retinol for a year”
Positive
“1 month on Tretinoin after 1 year of Retinol”
Positive
“Maybe experiment with retinol, once to twice a week; The Ordinary has a retinol in squalane serum I like”
Positive
“The Ordinary has a retinol in squalane serum I like (not too drying and cheap).”
Positive
“Maybe experiment with retinol, once to twice a week”
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
