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The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% in Squalane for skin with dark spots

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% in Squalane

Average

  • AverageNormal Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

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

  • Offers excellent visible anti-aging effects for your normal skin due to retinol, which minimizes fine lines and wrinkles, while squalane and jojoba seed oil provide hydration. This product offers general skincare benefits that are mostly supportive for your main goal of pigmentation.
  • The presence of retinol for desquamation regulation and squalane for emollient action provides moderate suitability for normal skin, though it may not deliver optimal results in all areas.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your normal skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.

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

★4.2Overall rating based on 600+ reviews

This retinol is highly recommended for beginners and those with sensitive skin, effectively addressing fine lines and texture with minimal irritation. Its hydrating base helps prevent dryness, though many users find the oil-based formula greasy and note the need for refrigeration and a relatively short shelf life.

Highlights

  • Gentle and beginner-friendly Mostly Mentioned
    • “good gentle exfoliator”
    • “no side effects”
    • “great for sensitive skin”
    • “perfect starter retinol”
  • Great price Often Mentioned
    • “can't beat the price”
    • “affordable anti-aging”
    • “great value”
    • “cheap but effective”
  • Improves texture and glow Often Mentioned
    • “woke up with glowy skin”
    • “pores looked smaller”
    • “smoother texture”
    • “glass skin vibe”
  • Greasy texture Often Mentioned
    • “too oily”
    • “sits on skin”
    • “feels heavy”
    • “greasy residue”
  • Hydrating formula Sometimes Noted
    • “keeps skin moist”
    • “didn't dry me out”
    • “very nourishing”
    • “no peeling at all”
  • Short shelf life Sometimes Noted
    • “goes bad quickly”
    • “smells rancid after 3 months”
    • “hate keeping it in fridge”
    • “expired before I finished it”
  • Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “caused tiny breakouts”
    • “clogged my pores”
    • “purging phase was rough”
    • “gave me whiteheads”
  • Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
    • “smells like vegetable oil”
    • “stale oil smell”
    • “earthy scent”
    • “weird odor”

Sources: lovi.care, theordinary.com, sephora.co.uk, lookfantastic.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, skinsort.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% in Squalane work for skin with dark spots?

This product works for skin with dark spots, though other products fit it better because they target pigmentation more directly with powerful antioxidants and soothing ingredients. To best help skin with dark spots, a treatment needs a blend of effective antioxidants and soothing ingredients that provide significant benefits for pigmentation concerns without any risk of irritation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for skin with dark spots?

Retinol is the key ingredient that helps address dark spots by renewing the skin surface, while squalane and jojoba seed oil keep the skin soft and hydrated. To truly fade dark spots effectively, skin with this concern needs a treatment packed with potent antioxidants and soothing ingredients like niacinamide and propolis.

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?

This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and toning, followed by your moisturizer. While it offers supportive benefits, skin with dark spots needs targeted brighteners like vitamin C or niacinamide for best results.

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 this keeps your skin calm and avoids irritation. When fading dark spots, this skin needs targeted brightening ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide alongside gentle hydrators.

How often should I use this serum?

Use this treatment in the evening as part of your nighttime routine. This product of this type needs targeted brightening ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide to effectively fade dark spots.

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for skin with dark spots?

This treatment is unlikely to cause severe irritation, but some reviewers report that it can cause breakouts. Products of this type need a light, non-greasy texture and pore-clearing ingredients to properly help skin with dark spots.

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, 2017

  • 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

  • Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.

    Molecules, 2025

  • Silicone 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, 2018

  • Topical 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, 2017

  • Topical 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, 1995

  • Plant-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, 2025

  • Topical 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, 2023

  • Clay 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, 2012

  • Topical 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, 2024

  • Topical 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

  • Topical 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, 2022

  • Cosmetic 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, 2020

  • Topical 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, Rosamarinus 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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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