I tried The Ordinary’s Retinol 1% in Squalene serum and here are my honest thoughts

Retinol isn't a new concept by any stretch of the imagination, but it's a skincare ingredient that's suddenly skyrocketed in popularity lately. Having seen the best retinol serums all over social media, I, like you, was eager to see if any were worth shouting about. So, I tried out The Ordinary's Retinol 1% in Squalene serum, and here's what I have to say about it.

Firstly, what is retinol? And why use it? After a bit of research, I discovered that it's an active retinoid also referred to as vitamin A - which is needed for cellular communication, growth and development. Makes a lot of sense as to why it's become such a standout ingredient in skincare, then.

According to The Ordinary, retinol can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone and texture. It supposedly helps to support the skin's production of collagen and elastin, promoting plump, cushioned skin, all while targeting signs of ageing. As for squalene? It's a natural emollient that's used to hydrate, protect and restore.

In recent years, The Ordinary's skincare range has attracted a lot of attention. Not only does the range make skincare accessible and affordable, but reviews are flowing in thick and fast about the effectiveness of the brand's serums, moisturisers, exfoliators and more.

Having tried out the brand before with their AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution, (not to be used alongside retinol, btw!) they were the first brand that I reached for to test my first-ever retinol product. It was mostly the budget-friendly cost, as well as the thousands of glowing reviews that swayed me to try retinol from The Ordinary.

But, what did I really think of The Ordinary's Retinol 1% in Squalene? Read on for my honest thoughts...

My honest thoughts

In all honesty, I was naive when it came to retinol products and, admittedly, I could have done a lot more research before trying out my first-ever retinol serum. Diving straight into a 1% solution and using it every single day to begin with, is so unbelievably on-brand for me that it hurts.

Despite having extremely sensitive and reactive combination skin, I was surprised that I only experienced the mildest form of irritation when I mistakenly used the product every day at first. Obviously, it soon dawned on me that this is an ingredient you should introduce into your skincare regime slowly. In hindsight, I probably should have gone for the Retinol 0.2% in Squalene...

Having said this though, I do believe I saw an improvement in my hormonal acne breakouts after using this every few days for a few weeks. It's hard to say for sure as I was testing out a few different skincare methods at the same time, so I'll have to try and isolate the Retinol 1% in Squalene serum to see if it's making any improvement on my skin.

I took a break from applying the retinol for a while due to having dermal fillers and since then have seen some of my breakouts return... although I'm not sure whether this is just a coincidence or not. However, I'm back to trying out the serum every few days.

The consistency is a yellow-coloured oil that is dropped on with a pipette and massaged into the skin as part of your evening skincare routine. The scent is slightly acidic, but not unpleasant. There can be a slight tingle on your fingertips when you first massage it but it shouldn't feel painful on your face in any way. The consistency is thick and oily and may take a while to absorb into the skin.

What we loved

Personally, I found that when applied, it gives my skin a glowy, glass-like appearance which I love. Others may find this a tad too greasy depending on their skin type, but for me, I've found it gives a nice natural glow.

• The budget-friendly cost: Usually just £8.50, (which is affordable enough in itself), the sale means there's currently up to 23% off 'all products', all month. Meaning, right now, it's a very affordable £6.54 - much cheaper than most competitors.

• Hundreds of positive reviews: Including The Ordinary itself, there's Amazon, Boots, Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, John Lewis, LookFantastic and SpaceNK to name a few, where there are thousands of customer reviews to browse, the majority of them positive and some even with photo reviews to document the differences in their skin.

• Plump, cushioned, glowing skin: For me, as soon as I apply it, I find my skin hydrated, moisturised and glowing. It really does give an appearance of plump, cushioned and firm skin which feels softer after use.

What could be better

We took a look at some of the reviews on The Ordinary site to see if there were any pain points with the Retinol 1% In Squalene that we agreed with. Reviewers said, (and we agreed), that the following could be room for improvement.

• The instructions on the packaging: Could be clearer, for example, others (and myself included) weren't fully aware that the product needed to be refrigerated after use and thrown away after three months, so this could be made more obvious on the packaging.

• The pipette can make the amount hard to control: Makes application a little messy at times, meaning that you can apply far too much on your face at once. The pipette application is iconic when it comes to The Ordinary brand, but could this be improved with a pump, maybe? Who knows.

Final verdict

Overall, is The Ordinary Retinol 1% In Squalene 30ml a necessity in your skincare routine? I wouldn't say it's necessary, so to speak. Hundreds of reviewers might say otherwise, though. I've seen plenty of reviews say they couldn't go without their retinol serum during their weekly skincare regime.

I've also been told that introducing retinol during your twenties will only help towards reducing signs of ageing later in life, but others would say a good ol' SPF would do the same thing. So far, I'm yet to see it work 'miracles', but what skincare product does?

I can safely say the immediate effects include plumper, cushioned and hydrated skin. As for the longer-term effects after applying over a few weeks? I feel as though it's been some help to hormonal breakouts, but this might just be a coincidence. However, I'm going to continue applying it to see if it can help with any uneven skin texture and tone in the long run.

Right now, I'm just enjoying plump, glowing skin in the meantime.

How the product was tested

Initially, I used the product every night before bed until I realised this wasn't the correct way to use it. (I'm only telling you this so you can learn from my mistakes!) Now, I use a few drops on freshly cleansed, dry skin just before bed, once a week.

I tested it over a month or so to target uneven skin tone and texture concerns, although I was curious to see if it would improve the appearance of any lines, too. It's hard to say as of yet whether the serum has made a visible difference to fine lines as such, but I do feel it has made my skin look visibly more cushioned after applying it.

FAQs

What strength of retinol should I use?

The Ordinary has put together a guide on how to choose the right retinoid for you, based on some of the products in their range. It's recommended that you work your way up, introducing retinol gently into your routine before progressing on to higher-strength formulas.

One of the weakest retinol in the range is Retinol 0.2% in Squalene, ideal for first-time users of retinol and beginners with retinoid products. The range works up to a moderate strength, high strength and then an expert level strength, Retinol 0.2% Emulsion.

Follow the guide below to make an informed decision about which one suits your skin best.

How often should I use retinol?

This is important: it's not recommended to use a retinol serum every day to begin with as it may cause irritation. If you're a beginner to using retinol, start by using it once a week and build up your tolerance from there. If, after a few weeks, your skin is showing signs that it's tolerating the serum, you may be able to use a retinol every few days.

How many drops of retinol should I use?

Personally, I've found that when using The Ordinary's Retinol 1% In Squalene, I only need about two drops to get full coverage. The consistency is a fairly oily serum, especially given that the squalene is a moisturising ingredient. You don't need a full pipette of product, just a few drops will do the trick.

How to apply The Ordinary Retinol 1% In Squalene serum?

Wondering how to use The Ordinary 1% In Squalene serum? According to The Ordinary, here's a full guide on how to use it:

Who shouldn't use retinol?

If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, then you should definitely avoid retinol and any other retinoid products because high levels may be harmful to your baby. Additionally, if you have sensitive skin, are prone to allergies or have any skin conditions such as rosacea, it's recommended to proceed with caution, so as not to irritate the skin.

Do not mix retinol with copper peptides, direct acids, direct vitamin C and other retinoids. And, avoid mixing with AHAs and BHAs (such as glycolic acid toner and PHA toner). Refrain from using it after treatments such as waxing, hair removal or dermal fillers until swelling subsides or until you're advised otherwise.

After using retinol, your skin is much more sensitive to the sun, therefore use an SPF to counterbalance this. Always consult with a dermatologist before starting a high-strength retinol, or if you’re concerned about retinol’s effects. And, be sure to read the 'Product & Safety Guidance' on The Ordinary website before you start to use it.

Samantha Price is a Senior Commercial Content Writer for heat. During her time at Bauer, she has worked on several projects, from championing the heat newsletters to writing expertly crafted buying guides on beauty, fashion and lifestyle.