The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane for sensitive skin
Retinol
Squalane
Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract Tomato Fruit Extract
Jojoba Seed Oil
BhtLow
- AverageNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
A weak match for sensitive skin; the serums alongside 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 and squalane, which help minimize fine lines and provide emollient action.
- The formula may exacerbate your redness and irritation because retinol can be potent and lacks immediate soothing ingredients, while the presence of jojoba seed oil offers some nourishment.
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
★4.4Overall 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
Why is The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane a weak match for sensitive skin?
This product is a weak match for sensitive skin because retinol can be potent and may make redness and irritation worse. Treatments that fit this skin better need soothing ingredients, antioxidants, and hydrating components that calm redness without causing irritation.
Which ingredients make this serum a poor fit for sensitive skin?
This serum is a weak match for sensitive skin because retinol is potent and may cause redness and irritation. Treatments that fit sensitive skin better need soothing and calming ingredients like niacinamide and snail secretion filtrate to comfort the skin without causing irritation.
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 toner and before your moisturizer. Sensitive skin needs products with gentle soothing ingredients and mild hydrators to prevent redness and irritation.
Can I use it with vitamin C, and in what order?
It is unlikely to be a good fit because this strong formula may cause redness and irritation on sensitive skin, so you should use a gentle, soothing routine with hydrating ingredients instead.
How often should I use this serum?
This product is a weak match for sensitive skin because retinol is potent and may cause redness and irritation, so this skin type needs products with soothing ingredients and gentle hydrators.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
This product may cause irritation and redness on sensitive skin because retinol is potent and lacks immediate soothing ingredients. A product for this skin needs gentle, calming ingredients and lightweight moisture to prevent breakouts without clogging pores.
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, 2019Topical 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, 2024Silicone 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 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, 2010Clay 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, 2014
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, 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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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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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
How does it fit your skin?
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