The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane for skin with dark spots
Retinol
Squalane
Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract Tomato Fruit Extract
Jojoba Seed Oil
BhtAverage
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- Low RiskSafety
Works for skin with dark spots; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dark spots: hyperpigmentation, sun spots, and uneven skin tone. 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
- Suitable for normal skin, this formula utilizes retinol for collagen stimulation and squalane for emollient action, providing moderate anti-aging benefits by minimizing fine lines and wrinkles.
- While squalane and jojoba seed oil offer general hydration, their benefits are largely supportive and do not directly address your primary concern of pigmentation.
- The product is generally safe for your normal skin, with a low risk of irritation due to the presence of retinol.
How to apply
- Apply this serum as part of your PM routine starting 3x/week and build up to daily use if your skin likes it.
- Place the serum after cleansing and toning, but before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute for it to absorb.
- Apply the serum on dry skin to help fade pigmentation effectively.
- Avoid the eye area and always use SPF 30+ during the day.
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 skin with dark spots?
This product works for skin with dark spots, though other products fit it better because its oils and squalane offer general hydration rather than directly targeting pigmentation. To better help this skin, a treatment needs a blend of effective antioxidants and soothing ingredients that fade dark spots without irritation.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for skin with dark spots?
Retinol helps smooth and renew your skin, while squalane and jojoba seed oil keep it soft and hydrated. However, a treatment for dark spots this way works best when it also includes potent antioxidants and soothing ingredients that directly target pigmentation.
What does Retinol do for skin with dark spots?
Retinol helps fade dark spots and uneven pigmentation while smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. It works by boosting skin renewal, though it may occasionally cause mild scaling or stinging when first starting out.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2016
What does Squalane do for skin with dark spots?
Squalane helps keep skin soft and smooth, but it is unlikely to directly fade dark spots on its own. For hyperpigmentation, this type of product needs added brightening ingredients like vitamin C or antioxidants to help even out skin tone.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for skin with dark spots?
Apply this treatment serum in the evening. Skincare routines for this skin need targeted brightening ingredients that directly fade dark spots.
Can I use it 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 mixing strong active ingredients together at the same time may lead to extra dryness or irritation. To better fade dark spots, this skin type needs targeted brightening ingredients like vitamin C, niacinamide, or alpha arbutin alongside your retinoid.
How often should I use this serum?
This treatment works well for your skin in the evening routine, though a product for dark spots of this type needs targeted brightening ingredients to fade pigment faster. Retinol helps renew skin safely with a low risk of irritation, and you can use it regularly as your skin adjusts.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for skin with dark spots?
This product may cause breakouts or purging for skin with dark spots because retinol speeds up skin cell renewal, and reviewers frequently mention a greasy, oily finish from the squalane and jojoba oil. Skin with dark spots needs lightweight ingredients that fade discoloration and clear pores without heavy oils.
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 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 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 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 skin with dark spots better
Niacinamide significantly decreased hyperpigmentation and increased skin lightness compared with vehicle alone after 4 weeks of use in women by inhibiting melanosome transfer.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Treatment with 14% ferulic acid and 12% l-ascorbic acid significantly reduced pigmentation and erythema while improving hydration and elasticity in 20 women with photoaged skin, with neither acid proving definitively more effective overall though ascorbic acid showed slightly greater skin lightening.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
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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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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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
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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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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