The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane for oily skin
Retinol
Squalane
Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract Tomato Fruit Extract
Jojoba Seed Oil
BhtAverage
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other serums fit it better.
- The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019
- European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2022
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, as retinol aids in cell turnover and minimizes fine lines, while squalane provides emollient action without clogging pores.
- The formula also includes tomato fruit extract and rosemary leaf extract, offering general skincare benefits that support hydration and cell turnover for your oily skin.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of 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
★4.4Overall rating based on 700+ reviewsThis water-free serum is widely praised by users with dry or mature skin for its ability to deeply hydrate while delivering potent anti-aging benefits, such as reduced fine lines and smoother texture. Its oil-based squalane formula is frequently described as heavy or greasy, making it a polarizing choice for those with oily or acne-prone skin who often struggle with absorption.
Highlights
Highly affordable Mostly Mentioned
- “Can't beat the price”
- “High potency at a low price”
Greasy/oily finish Mostly Mentioned
- “Face feels like an oil slick”
- “Doesn't fully absorb”
- “Too greasy for oily skin”
Improves skin texture Often Mentioned
- “Wake up to smoother skin”
- “Gives the skin a glow”
- “Texture is much softer”
Moisturizing base Often Mentioned
- “Never feels dry”
- “Squalane keeps it moisturizing”
- “Great for dry skin types”
Effective anti-aging Sometimes Noted
- “Fewer fine lines”
- “Visible plumping effect”
- “Cheeks looked fuller”
Irritation & sensitivity Sometimes Noted
- “Left skin dry and itchy”
- “Caused red patches”
- “Too strong for beginners”
Short shelf life Rarely Noted
- “Have to keep in fridge”
- “Goes bad fast”
- “Only lasts 3 months”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “Smells like cooking oil”
- “Faint earthy scent”
- “Off-putting tomato extract smell”
Sources: lovi.care, theordinary.com, sephora.uk, cultbeauty.co.uk, amazon.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane work for oily skin?
The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane works moderately well for oily skin, helping smooth fine lines and soften the face without clogging pores. To fit this skin type best, a treatment needs ingredients like niacinamide and zinc PCA to control excess oil and reduce shine, along with soothing extracts and lightweight hydrators.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?
Retinol and squalane make this serum a good fit for oily skin by helping with cell turnover and softening the skin without clogging pores. Tomato fruit extract also supports hydration and cell turnover while helping reduce excess oil. For a better fit, this skin type needs products with ingredients like niacinamide, ferulic acid, and zinc PCA to control shine and manage enlarged pores.
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 it go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
Apply this treatment in the evening after cleansing and toning, and follow with a moisturizer. Putting treatments in the evening keeps things simple and adds extra safety around sun exposure.
Can I use this serum with vitamin C, and in what order?
You can use this treatment and vitamin C in the same routine, but it is best to apply vitamin C in the morning and this product at night to keep your skin calm. Oily skin also needs lightweight hydrators and ingredients that gently clear pores without feeling heavy.
How often should I use it?
This treatment works well in your evening routine, and because it contains retinol, you can start by using it a few times a week to see how your skin adjusts. Oily skin works best with light ingredients that balance oil and boost hydration without feeling heavy.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores since squalane feels light and does not block them, though the oily finish reviewers often mention may feel heavy on your skin. Retinol helps speed up cell turnover, which can lead to temporary purging when you first start using it. Oily skin often does better with lightweight, fast-absorbing hydrators and balancing ingredients that control shine without leaving a greasy layer.
Is it 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 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, 2022Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is safe as used in cosmetic formulations at concentrations ranging from 0.0002% to 0.5% due to low dermal penetration and systemic exposure compared to oral administration.
International Journal of Toxicology, 2002Topical 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, 2025Cosmetic 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, 2010Tomato-derived nanovesicles and extract accelerated wound closure and increased cell migration in human keratinocytes and mouse fibroblasts without affecting cell proliferation.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024Clay 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, 2025
Ingredients
Squalane, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Retinol, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract Tomato Fruit Extract, Jojoba Seed Oil, Bht, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract Rosemary Leaf Extract
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
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