The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane for combination skin
Retinol
Squalane
Caprylic Capric Triglyceride
Jojoba Seed Oil
Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract Tomato Fruit Extract
Average
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for combination skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers high suitability for your combination skin due to retinol regulating desquamation and squalane providing emollient action, though its hydration benefits from squalane and jojoba seed oil are not directly relevant to your oily shine concern.
- The presence of retinol at a 0.5% concentration provides a moderate anti-aging effect by minimizing fine lines and wrinkles.
- The product is safe for your combination skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use your serum as part of your PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and move to daily use if your skin likes it.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toner, and right before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute ⏳for it to soak in.
- Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive.
- Always do a patch test before using the serum for the first time, and avoid the eye area .
People Say
★4.3Overall rating based on 1.1k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users generally praise this serum as an affordable and effective entry-level retinol that improves skin texture and reduces fine lines, though the oily squalane base is a polarizing feature. While many with dry or mature skin appreciate the added hydration, those with oily or acne-prone skin frequently report that it feels heavy, greasy, and can cause congestion or purging.
Highlights
Improves skin texture Mostly Mentioned
- “smooths roughness”
- “softens skin”
- “glowing complexion”
Unbeatable price Mostly Mentioned
- “great value”
- “affordable”
- “budget-friendly”
Hydrating formula Often Mentioned
- “non-drying”
- “moisturizing oil”
- “prevents flaking”
Reduces aging signs Often Mentioned
- “fades fine lines”
- “plumps wrinkles”
- “firmer skin”
Greasy residue Often Mentioned
- “sits on skin”
- “doesn't absorb”
- “oily film”
Gentle effectiveness Sometimes Noted
- “low irritation”
- “good for beginners”
- “minimal redness”
Causes breakouts Sometimes Noted
- “purging phase”
- “cystic acne”
- “clogged pores”
Short shelf life Sometimes Noted
- “expires quickly”
- “requires refrigeration”
- “3-month limit”
Messy packaging Rarely Noted
- “leaky dropper”
- “stains pillowcases”
- “greasy bottle”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “cooking oil smell”
- “earthy odor”
- “stale scent”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, ulta.com, beautybay.com, cultbeauty.com, spacenk.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane work for combination skin?
This product works for combination skin, though other products fit it better because its oils do not directly help with oily shine. A treatment of this type needs ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, or zinc PCA to regulate oiliness while keeping the skin balanced.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for combination skin?
Retinol makes this serum a good fit for your combination skin because it helps regulate skin renewal, while squalane provides a soft feel, though treatments that rate higher for this skin need ingredients like niacinamide and zinc PCA to better manage oily shine.
What does Retinol do for combination skin?
Retinol helps smooth fine lines, even out skin tone, and improve firmness in combination skin. It works by encouraging faster skin renewal and boosting collagen, though it may occasionally cause mild dryness or scaling while your skin adjusts.
What does Squalane do for combination skin?
Squalane helps keep combination skin soft and smooth by locking in moisture without feeling heavy or greasy. It supports the skin barrier and provides lightweight hydration that works well for both dry and oily areas.
Skin Health and Disease, 2024Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 2025
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing. A product of this type works well for combination skin when it includes ingredients that balance oil and smooth texture.
Can I use this serum with vitamin C, and in what order?
You can use this serum with vitamin C by applying vitamin C in your morning routine and this treatment at night, as this keeps your skin calm and avoids combining too many strong actives at once. To care best for combination skin, a product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and ingredients that balance oil while smoothing the skin.
How often should I use this serum?
Apply this treatment in your evening routine, starting just once a week to see how your skin adjusts. Combination skin needs ingredients like niacinamide and lightweight hydrators that balance oil while providing moisture without heaviness.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This treatment may cause breakouts for combination skin because reviewers report this issue moderately often. A product of this type needs lighter ingredients that balance oil and keep pores clear without leaving a heavy, greasy feel.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical application of jojoba wax reduced LPS-induced secretion of IL-6, IL-8, and TNFα by approximately 30% and increased the synthesis of pro-collagen III and hyaluronic acid compared to untreated skin in an ex-vivo human skin organ culture model.
Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2024Topical bakuchiol 0.5% applied twice daily compared with retinol 0.5% applied daily significantly decreased wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation with no statistical difference between the compounds in 44 patients over 12 weeks, while retinol users reported more facial skin scaling and stinging.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Topical 0.4% retinol significantly increased epidermal thickness, dermal vascularity, and extracellular matrix production by stimulating keratinocyte proliferation, endothelial cell proliferation, and fibroblast activation in naturally aged human skin compared to vehicle.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017Silicone particles encapsulating retinol increased its half-life by 9-fold and yielded 12-23% lower skin irritation in human subjects compared to Microsponge particles while maintaining biological activity.
Journal of Controlled Release, 2018Topical stabilized retinol treatment induced HAS gene expression and increased hyaluronic acid production in human skin in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo compared to vehicle.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2017Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.
Antioxidants, 2025Topical application of an emollient emulsion containing 15.0% caprylic/capric triglyceride doubled the amount of urocanic acid isomers and increased skin hydration with reduced transepidermal water loss in healthy subjects, though it did not prevent ultraviolet-induced urocanic acid isomerization.
Life, 2023Clay jojoba oil facial masks reduced total skin lesions by a mean of 54% after 6 weeks in 133 participants with acne-prone, lesioned skin and mild acne compared to baseline.
Forschende Komplementarmedizin, 2012Topical jojoba oil application in male mice decreased exercise-induced pro-inflammatory gene expression (Il-1b and Il-6 in soleus, Il-1b in gastrocnemius) compared to untreated exercised mice.
Biomolecules, 2025Nanolipidgel formulations with argan or jojoba oil and humectants demonstrate good sensory attributes, instrumental properties, and moisturizing efficacy for cosmetic application.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014Topical lycopene-based emulgel significantly enhanced skin hydration and elasticity while reducing erythema, melanin, and sebum contents in human volunteers compared to a placebo formulation over 12 weeks.
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2022Cosmetic formulations containing lycopene and melatonin showed significant differences in skin sebum content, hydration, elasticity, erythema index, and melanin index compared to control in 36 healthy women.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2020Topical delivery of lycopene via MG- and TG-containing microemulsions significantly increased stratum corneum and viable skin layer penetration compared to a control solution, with the MG-containing microemulsion also increasing skin antioxidant activity by 10-fold.
Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2010
Ingredients
Squalane, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Jojoba Seed Oil, Retinol, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract Tomato Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract Rosemary Leaf Extract, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Bht
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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