The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane for oily skin
Retinol
Squalane
Caprylic Capric Triglyceride
Jojoba Seed Oil
Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract Tomato Fruit Extract
Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 moderate anti-aging benefits for your oily skin due to the presence of retinol, which helps regulate desquamation and sebum production, while squalane provides light hydration without exacerbating oiliness.
- The inclusion of tomato and rosemary leaf extracts offers general skincare benefits and antioxidant support, complementing the primary anti-aging function.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, with no reported risks of irritation from harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this serum in your PM routine. Start by applying it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toning, but right before your moisturizer for the best results.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin. Let it absorb ⏱ for a minute before applying the next product.
- Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive and you want to target oily shine. This helps control excess oil throughout the night.
- Avoid the delicate eye area and do a patch test before using the serum for the very first time.
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 oily skin?
This treatment works reasonably well for oily skin by helping smooth out aging signs and giving light hydration without adding extra oiliness. However, treatments for oily skin work better when they include ingredients like niacinamide and zinc to actively control excess shine and large pores while keeping the skin comfortable every day.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?
Retinol makes this serum a good fit for oily skin by helping regulate oil production and cell renewal, while squalane provides light hydration without making your skin greasy. Oily skin works best with products containing ingredients like niacinamide, zinc PCA, and soothing extracts that control excess shine, support the skin barrier, and keep pores clear.
What does Retinol do for oily skin?
Retinol helps oily skin by keeping pores clear and balancing sebum production, which may reduce shine and breakouts. Because it can sometimes cause dryness or peeling in the beginning, starting slowly is recommended.
What does Squalane do for oily skin?
Squalane helps keep oily skin soft and smooth without feeling heavy, though oxidized forms may sometimes trigger irritation. To work well for oily skin, this type of product needs lightweight, non-clogging ingredients that balance moisture without adding excess grease.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing. Oily skin works best with light hydrators and ingredients like retinol and squalane that manage oil without feeling heavy.
Can I use this serum with vitamin C, and in what order?
You can use this treatment with vitamin C by applying vitamin C in your morning routine and this treatment at night, as using them separately helps prevent skin irritation. To give your oily skin better results, an ideal alternative product needs a lighter formula with oil-controlling ingredients and antioxidants.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019American Family Physician, 2012
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine. Oily skin works best with this type of product when it includes lightweight hydrators like squalane and oil-balancing ingredients like retinol.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This treatment may cause breakouts for oily skin, as some reviewers note, and is unlikely to cause severe irritation. Oily skin often benefits from lightweight, fast-absorbing hydrators and non-greasy textures that do not leave a heavy residue behind.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical 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 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 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, 2025Topical 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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