Retinol 1% in Squalane — Reddit Reviews
by The Ordinary
Updated October 17, 2026
Redditors report retinol 1% smoothing texture; studies found 0.2% retinol reduced inflammatory acne.
What the community says
This is a high-strength retinol oil for experienced users chasing texture, breakouts, or fine lines. Redditors report visible improvement, and studies found 0.2% retinol reduced inflammatory acne; beginners and compromised, dry skin may face stinging, flaking, and purging.
What this means for you
Backed by 26 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/AsianBeauty and 4 more.
Read the threads ↓What people love
Watch out for
- Strong starting point; redness and stinging can hit within days
- Greasy, runny oil stays wet and mixes into moisturizer
- Purging can mean whiteheads and painful cystic breakouts
Product details
Use caution
Skin Type
Product Traits
Key Ingredients
Where to buy
What the science says vs. what Reddit says
Anti-Aging
Strong evidence
Retinol: 15 studies tested it on its own. See all 23 studies
On Reddit: Chest-wrinkle users apply it nightly before a patch, even after their face rejects it. 8 mentions
What the studies found
- Most studies found it helped with signs of aging like wrinkles, uneven tone, and dark spots
- It often improved fine lines, skin smoothness, firmness, and radiance
- Some studies found it worked about as well as other common retinoid treatments
- Stronger retinol often smoothed skin more, but also caused more irritation
- The most common side effects were redness, irritation, scaling, stinging, and dryness
Studied at 0.1–5%this product: 1%
Hyperpigmentation
Some evidence
Retinol: 5 studies tested it on its own. See all 12 studies
What the studies found
- All 5 studies that tested it on its own found it helped fade dark spots or patches
- It improved sun spots and uneven skin tone in sun-damaged facial skin
- It also helped melasma look lighter in one clinical trial
- Some studies found it worked alongside smoother skin and fewer fine wrinkles
- The most common side effects were irritation, burning, itching, dryness, redness, scaling, and stinging
Studied at 0.15–10%this product: 1%
Acne
Some evidence
Retinol: 2 studies tested it on its own. See all 5 studies
What the studies found
- Both studies that tested it on its own found it helped acne
- It reduced pimples, blackheads and whiteheads in people with facial acne
- It also reduced red, sore spots in people with inflammatory acne
- It worked less well than benzoyl peroxide in one clinical trial
- The reported side effect was peeling
Studied at 0.03–1%this product: 1%
Texture/Pores
Not proven yet
Few or mixed studies. This claim isn't established.
Retinol: 2 studies tested it on its own. See all 3 studies
What the studies found
- Both studies that tested it on its own found it helped with skin texture and pores
- Studies found retinol made skin feel smoother and less rough
- One study found it improved uneven skin tone along with rough texture
- It worked about as well as tretinoin for these skin changes
Studied at 0.25–3%this product: 1%
Dullness
Not proven yet
Few or mixed studies. This claim isn't established.
Retinol: 2 studies tested it on its own. See all 2 studies
What the studies found
- The results are split, so there is no clear answer yet on retinol for dullness
- Some studies found retinol improved uneven skin tone and dark spots
- Some studies found retinol improved signs of sun damage linked with dull-looking skin
- The most common side effects were irritation, and stronger retinol caused more of it
Studied at 0.3–1.1%this product: 1%
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
Real Reddit threads — 84 mentions across 26 threads
The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane on Reddit, in one place — 26 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/AsianBeauty and 4 more, summarized.
“Retinol - I had some leftover TO Retinol 1% in Squalene that my face hated but I saw it suggested for chest wrinkles here and l've been using it prior to applying the patch every night.”
Positive
“I went straight in with the 1% because I had it to hand”
Positive
“I'm so pleased with the results for around 2 months of progress”
Positive
“This year I’ve been trying a combo of Aestura Atobarrier Cream+The Ordinary Retinol Squalene”
Positive
“I don’t always use the Ordinary”
Positive
“on nights when I don’t use it, the next day my face feels a bit flakey.”
Positive
“Mon / Tue / Thu / Fri: I use The Ordinary Retinol in Squalane (working my way up to 1%) followed by Dr. Jart Ceramidin Cream.”
Positive
“I turned 40 this year and decided it was time to completely overhaul my routine.”
Positive
“...share whatever helped you as you got older, feel free.”
Positive
“For awhile I would get the Ordinary retinol in squalene and just mix it into whatever body moisturizer I was using that day.”
Positive
“Amlactin 15% in the evening or you can add the ordinary’s retinol to a jar of Saltair multi-lipid body butter - shake it real good.”
Positive
“Use only in the evening pls and use a spf during the day, every day, even if you stay inside all day”
Positive
“He's using the Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane at night.”
Mentioned
“God I can’t stand that retinol it’s so greasy, so it really doesn’t absorb as fast as other retinols, he just needs to get a new one”
Mentioned
“The squalane base in The Ordinary's formula actually helps it absorb faster since it's a lightweight oil.”
Mentioned
“I've been using The Ordinary 1% Retinol and Squalane oil for the last 2 months and I've noticed a significant reduction in oil production and breakouts.”
Positive
“I only use it every second night because that is what my skin can handle.”
Positive
“The shine also no longer appears thick to me.”
Positive
