The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane for sensitive skin
Retinol
Squalane
Caprylic Capric Triglyceride
Jojoba Seed Oil
Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract Tomato Fruit Extract
Average
- AverageNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for sensitive skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. 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 normal skin due to retinol's ability to stimulate collagen and regulate desquamation, though it lacks sufficient humectants for optimal hydration.
- While the formula provides general skincare benefits like hydration and soothing, the retinol concentration offers moderate exfoliation which is not ideal for your redness and irritation.
- The product is safe for your sensitive skin as it contains no harsh or prohibited ingredients, minimizing the risk of irritation.
How to apply
- Use your serum in the PM routine, starting 3 times a week before building up to daily use if your skin is happy.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toning, but before putting on your moisturizer for the best results.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute ⏱ for it to soak in.
- Since your skin is sensitive and easily irritated, apply the serum on completely dry skin to help keep it calm.
- Always do a patch test before your first use and avoid getting the serum too close to your eyes .
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 sensitive skin?
This product works for sensitive skin, though other treatments fit it better. The retinol gives you moderate anti-aging benefits, but the exfoliation may cause some redness and irritation. A treatment for sensitive skin needs extra hydrating ingredients and soothing components to calm redness.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for sensitive skin?
Squalane, caprylic capric triglyceride, and jojoba seed oil make this serum a good fit for sensitive skin by helping to hydrate and soothe. However, a treatment for this skin needs extra hydrating ingredients and soothing components that calm redness while avoiding strong exfoliation.
What does Retinol do for sensitive skin?
Retinol is generally too harsh for sensitive skin and may cause stinging, scaling, and irritation. A product for this skin needs gentle ingredients that smooth and calm without causing redness.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Toxicology Letters, 2003
What does Squalane do for sensitive skin?
Squalane helps calm sensitive skin by defending against everyday irritation and keeping it smooth and soft. It is unlikely to cause irritation and supports your skin barrier so it stays comfortable and hydrated.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after your soothing toner and before your moisturizer. Sensitive skin of this type needs a product with gentle hydrators and soothing ingredients to help prevent redness and irritation.
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 the morning and this treatment at night, as using them together may increase redness and irritation on sensitive skin. To work well for this skin, a product of this type needs soothing ingredients and extra moisture to keep the skin calm and comfortable.
How often should I use this serum?
This treatment is typically used in the evening once a week to help your sensitive skin adjust, and you can carefully use it more often if your skin handles it well. Because this product lacks sufficient humectants and its exfoliation is not ideal for redness, this type of skin needs extra hydrating ingredients and soothing agents.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
Yes, this product may cause breakouts for your sensitive skin because reviewers moderately complain about breakouts and the formula contains ingredients that can feel greasy. To prevent clogged pores, sensitive skin needs lightweight, non-greasy ingredients that hydrate without feeling heavy.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical 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, 2017Topical 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, 2019Silicone 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, 2017Topical application of all-trans-retinol induced epidermal thickening and increased retinoid binding protein expression similar to all-trans-retinoic acid in normal human skin, but without causing significant erythema or measurable retinoic acid levels.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 1995Squalane 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
Why other serums fit sensitive skin better
- Retinol in this serum
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, 2019
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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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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