TheOrdinary Retinol 0.2% in Squalane Reviews

Name: Retinol 0.2% in Squalane
Brand: TheOrdinary
Rating: 4.21 (257 reviews)

4.21

128

Most Recently AddedFilter

This Korean review was translated by AI and may contain inaccuracies.

15 Reviews

미리리리리릭
May 3, 2025
Oily Skin
Review under verification
The content is currently being reviewed by the Hwahae operations team, and the verification will be completed by the next business day (excluding weekends and holidays) from the date the review was written.
Reviewed by The Hwahae Testers
This review was written by The Hwahae Testers who received the product for free and evaluated it with a sense of representing Hwahae. The review is completely unbiased and honest, with no guidelines or restrictions. Reviews by The Hwahae Testers undergo the same strict verification process as regular reviews, and if they don't meet our standards, revisions will be requested.
Pros
It's affordable and I felt like it improved my skin texture. I can't say much about other aspects.
Cons
I have oily skin, and this product was too greasy, which actually made my sebum production worse. Also, when I used this along with The Ordinary's Niacin, I got a severe breakout of small bumps, so I had to stop using it. I wouldn't recommend this for oily skin types.

lalisaloveme
Jan 27, 2025
Combination SkinSensitive SkinAcne Skin
Review under verification
The content is currently being reviewed by the Hwahae operations team, and the verification will be completed by the next business day (excluding weekends and holidays) from the date the review was written.
Reviewed by The Hwahae Testers
This review was written by The Hwahae Testers who received the product for free and evaluated it with a sense of representing Hwahae. The review is completely unbiased and honest, with no guidelines or restrictions. Reviews by The Hwahae Testers undergo the same strict verification process as regular reviews, and if they don't meet our standards, revisions will be requested.
Pros
Retinol should always be used with caution! You should test it on skin other than your face, and even with low concentrations, you should apply it in small amounts and make sure it suits your skin. I haven't seen any dramatic effects yet, but it's not bad either, so I take it out of the refrigerator and apply it about 1-2 times a week!
Cons
Personally, it suited me well, but since I have sensitive skin, I applied a lot at first, and it ended up feeling very heavy and dull. The next day, I even got a pimple, which was disappointing!
Tip
From now on, I've been applying a small amount of retinol mixed with cream after the toner. I heard that it's better to apply retinol on dry skin, so I waited until the toner was fully absorbed.

Soasp
Jan 17, 2025
Combination SkinAcne Skin
Review under verification
The content is currently being reviewed by the Hwahae operations team, and the verification will be completed by the next business day (excluding weekends and holidays) from the date the review was written.
Reviewed by The Hwahae Testers
This review was written by The Hwahae Testers who received the product for free and evaluated it with a sense of representing Hwahae. The review is completely unbiased and honest, with no guidelines or restrictions. Reviews by The Hwahae Testers undergo the same strict verification process as regular reviews, and if they don't meet our standards, revisions will be requested.
Pros
This product is something I started using after learning about the ingredient retinol, as I had blemishes, uneven skin tone, and wrinkles around my mouth that appear when I smile. I've been using it cautiously in the introductory stage, as I've heard it can be irritating. When I applied it all over along with other products, it actually made my skin oilier and caused breakouts, so now I just use a simple skincare routine and apply a drop or two of the product only to the areas that need it. The formula feels quite oily and greasy, and while it does absorb over time, some residue remains. After using it for over half a year, I wasn't sure if it was effective, but the discoloration around my mouth that wouldn't cover with makeup has been gradually fading the more I've focused on using the retinol, so I now consider this a staple product.
Cons
Too much application can irritate the skin and cause breakouts, so please be mindful of the amount you use!
Tip
If you have a dull complexion on your face, be sure to do a light skincare routine and apply one drop at the end before going to bed! After a few weeks, you'll see it disappear. Also, retinol is sensitive to sunlight, so be sure to apply it only at night and don't forget to use sunscreen during the day!

ㄴr은
Nov 10, 2024
Dry SkinSensitive Skin
Review under verification
The content is currently being reviewed by the Hwahae operations team, and the verification will be completed by the next business day (excluding weekends and holidays) from the date the review was written.
Reviewed by The Hwahae Testers
This review was written by The Hwahae Testers who received the product for free and evaluated it with a sense of representing Hwahae. The review is completely unbiased and honest, with no guidelines or restrictions. Reviews by The Hwahae Testers undergo the same strict verification process as regular reviews, and if they don't meet our standards, revisions will be requested.
Pros
Here is the English translation of the provided Korean text: I'm in my early 40s and have dry skin. If I use the wrong product, I can get breakouts and my skin becomes very sensitive. In my late 20s, after 20 sessions of toning, I went skydiving, traveled frequently to Southeast Asia, and took up hobbies like hiking and cycling. This resulted in more freckles and age spots, and my skin became thinner compared to before the toning. I decided it's better to manage the freckles and age spots through consistent home care rather than more toning. I can't give up my Southeast Asia trips and hiking, so I've basically given up on the freckles. Despite my frequent outdoor activities in my 40s, people say my skin is still in good condition. I always check the safety of the ingredients through the Hwahae app before purchasing products. I also buy recommended products from YouTuber Reina or find similar alternatives. I've heard that people who don't react well to retinol can have their skin go haywire. After trying the Dr. Différent Vitalift A, I found that my skin tolerates retinol well, so I decided to get a product with a higher concentration. Being a water-based serum, the application wasn't as smooth on my dry skin, so I mixed it with the Dr. Différent Vitalift. People have commented that my skin, which got quite tanned last summer, has become brighter again. I apply the Deciem Matrixyl product first, then this one. Matrixyl seems to have been discontinued and replaced with some peptide product. My nighttime routine is Matrixyl (or the peptide version)-retinol-cream, and my daytime routine is the innovative vitamin C, E, and ferulic acid-cream-sunscreen. I can definitely feel the improvement in my age spots. I've already purchased the 0.5% retinol version to use after finishing the current 0.2% one. Of course, professional toning at a dermatologist's office would be faster, but it's an option for those with the time and good skin condition. Just be careful, as mishandling freckles can make them worse. I also use the Avene Cicalfate serum + cream, Estée Lauder's brown bottle essence, Esteé's Atopbarrier365 cream, and Bepanthen ointment as needed.
Cons
Occasionally it feels irritating, and the next day small pimples can appear. It is important to properly adjust the amount used. Those with dry skin wish that it would also come in a cream-based formula, not just a water-based one.
Tip
As mentioned in the text

오오오오홋*
Sep 19, 2024
Combination Skin
Review under verification
The content is currently being reviewed by the Hwahae operations team, and the verification will be completed by the next business day (excluding weekends and holidays) from the date the review was written.
Reviewed by The Hwahae Testers
This review was written by The Hwahae Testers who received the product for free and evaluated it with a sense of representing Hwahae. The review is completely unbiased and honest, with no guidelines or restrictions. Reviews by The Hwahae Testers undergo the same strict verification process as regular reviews, and if they don't meet our standards, revisions will be requested.
Pros
Sleeping well can improve your skin a bit the next day?! However, you may experience some breakouts occasionally...
Cons
I bought the one with the lowest retinol content because I was worried it might not suit my skin, but my skin still struggles sometimes, and I get breakouts and such...

스물셋입니다
Mar 25, 2024
수부지Acne Skin
Review under verification
The content is currently being reviewed by the Hwahae operations team, and the verification will be completed by the next business day (excluding weekends and holidays) from the date the review was written.
Reviewed by The Hwahae Testers
This review was written by The Hwahae Testers who received the product for free and evaluated it with a sense of representing Hwahae. The review is completely unbiased and honest, with no guidelines or restrictions. Reviews by The Hwahae Testers undergo the same strict verification process as regular reviews, and if they don't meet our standards, revisions will be requested.
Pros
The next morning, I experienced having baby skin. After applying it, I generously layered on a moisturizing cream, and before that, I sprayed a generous amount of toner. It felt like the skin was nourished by the moisture and improved. The formula was oily, but after absorption, it could be a bit drying, so the cream is really necessary.
Cons
When exposed to sunlight and heat, it can undergo some deformation. I accidentally left it on a hot floor and slept on it the next day, and when I tried it, I had a bit of a breakout. And when my skin is sensitive, like when I don't sleep well or something, using it can also cause breakouts.

돋보이는참해삼29361
Jan 12, 2024
수부지Acne Skin
Review under verification
The content is currently being reviewed by the Hwahae operations team, and the verification will be completed by the next business day (excluding weekends and holidays) from the date the review was written.
Reviewed by The Hwahae Testers
This review was written by The Hwahae Testers who received the product for free and evaluated it with a sense of representing Hwahae. The review is completely unbiased and honest, with no guidelines or restrictions. Reviews by The Hwahae Testers undergo the same strict verification process as regular reviews, and if they don't meet our standards, revisions will be requested.
Pros
The cost-effectiveness seems to be better than other retinol products.
Cons
Since it's in an oil form, that might be why. After applying it, the next day my skin just flips over. The small acne-like bumps, like milia, just pop up all over and spread across my whole face... I used it twice and then threw it away...

붕방강쥐
Dec 30, 2023
Combination SkinSensitive SkinAcne Skinproduct.Atopy Skin
Review under verification
The content is currently being reviewed by the Hwahae operations team, and the verification will be completed by the next business day (excluding weekends and holidays) from the date the review was written.
Reviewed by The Hwahae Testers
This review was written by The Hwahae Testers who received the product for free and evaluated it with a sense of representing Hwahae. The review is completely unbiased and honest, with no guidelines or restrictions. Reviews by The Hwahae Testers undergo the same strict verification process as regular reviews, and if they don't meet our standards, revisions will be requested.
Pros
Since this is my first time using retinol, I used the lowest percentage, and there is really no irritation.
Cons
In an oil form, it can cause a little bit of trouble for oily skin types like me. The oil form is a bit disappointing.

지나띵코
Oct 6, 2023
Oily SkinSensitive SkinAcne Skin
Review under verification
The content is currently being reviewed by the Hwahae operations team, and the verification will be completed by the next business day (excluding weekends and holidays) from the date the review was written.
Reviewed by The Hwahae Testers
This review was written by The Hwahae Testers who received the product for free and evaluated it with a sense of representing Hwahae. The review is completely unbiased and honest, with no guidelines or restrictions. Reviews by The Hwahae Testers undergo the same strict verification process as regular reviews, and if they don't meet our standards, revisions will be requested.
Pros
I feel like my pores are tightening and my skin is becoming firmer.
Cons
I'm breaking out and having skin troubles after using this. ㅠㅠ
Tip
I recommend gradually increasing the amount of the product when using it for the first time.

털실빵실
Sep 8, 2023
Combination Skin
Review under verification
The content is currently being reviewed by the Hwahae operations team, and the verification will be completed by the next business day (excluding weekends and holidays) from the date the review was written.
Reviewed by The Hwahae Testers
This review was written by The Hwahae Testers who received the product for free and evaluated it with a sense of representing Hwahae. The review is completely unbiased and honest, with no guidelines or restrictions. Reviews by The Hwahae Testers undergo the same strict verification process as regular reviews, and if they don't meet our standards, revisions will be requested.
Pros
I was so excited to apply this product! Haha..
Cons
I bought this product because it was said to be good for pores! Since it was my first time using retinol, I applied a small amount every other night. But from the second time I used it, small bumps started popping up all over my face ㅠㅠ They were even itchy, and the bumps spread from one area to my whole face...haha. I've used all kinds of skincare products, but I've never had my skin react this badly before. I thought maybe my skin was just sensitive these days, so I stopped using the retinol for a week, and my skin went back to normal. So I thought it was just a retinol adjustment period. But 4 days after I started using it again, the bumps came back ㅎㅎㅎㅎ.. I'm not sure if it's because my skin is oily or if the retinol just doesn't agree with me... But if you have sensitive skin, even if you didn't think you did, please think carefully before buying this and try it out cautiously ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ + I was diagnosed with folliculitis by a dermatologist! It seems the oil-based formula of this product just didn't agree with me ㅠㅠ Don't use oil-based products if you have oily skin ㅠㅠㅠㅠ After using this, my skin became so sensitive that I can't use just anything. It's been really hard trying to find non-irritating products for my folliculitis. My skin has changed completely - it's relatively sensitive now, but clearer, without any other acne besides the folliculitis. I'm not sure if that's good or bad ㅎㅎ.. If you do want to try it, stop using it right away if you have any issues. This is the first time I've ever written a review like this in my life ㅜ