The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% in Squalane for dry skin
Retinol
Squalane
Caprylic Capric Triglyceride
Jojoba Seed Oil
Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract Tomato Fruit Extract
Low
- AverageDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
A weak match for dry skin; the serums alongside fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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 visible effect for your dry skin due to the presence of retinol which aids in minimizing fine lines and wrinkles, while squalane and jojoba seed oil provide emollient action.
- The formula provides moderate exfoliation for dry or flaky skin by promoting cell turnover, but it lacks sufficient hydrating ingredients to fully counteract potential dryness.
How to apply
- Apply this serum PM, starting 3×/week and working up to daily use as your skin adjusts.
- Place the serum after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the serum on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra moisture.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.2Overall rating based on 600+ reviewsThis 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
Why is The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% in Squalane a weak match for dry skin?
This product is a weak match for dry skin because, while it helps smooth fine lines and encourages cell renewal, it lacks sufficient hydrating ingredients to fully counteract potential dryness. A treatment for dry skin needs rich hydrating and skin barrier supporting ingredients like propolis, niacinamide, ceramides, vitamin C, bifida fermentation, and peptides.
Which ingredients make this serum a poor fit for dry skin?
This serum is a weak match for dry skin because retinol promotes cell turnover and may cause dryness, while the formula lacks sufficient hydrating ingredients to fully counteract it. A treatment of this type for dry skin needs rich hydrating and skin barrier supporting ingredients such as propolis, niacinamide, ceramides, various forms of vitamin C, bifida fermentation, and peptides.
What does Retinol do for dry skin?
Retinol is a poor fit for dry skin because it frequently causes scaling, stinging, and dryness. To care for dry skin properly, a product needs gentle, hydrating ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture and keep the skin barrier calm and smooth.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023
What does Squalane do for dry skin?
Squalane helps keep dry skin soft and smooth by acting as a hydrating agent that locks in moisture and prevents water loss. It is unlikely to cause irritation and may protect the skin from damage while improving overall hydration.
Advances in Food and Nutrition Research, 2012Molecules, 2009
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing, because treatments are best used at night for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. However, this product is a weak match for dry skin because it lacks sufficient hydrating ingredients to fully counteract potential dryness, so dry skin needs a richer formula packed with extra soothing moisturizers and nourishing oils to stay soft and comfortable.
Can I use this serum with vitamin C, and in what order?
This product is a weak match for your dry skin, as it lacks sufficient hydrating ingredients to fully counteract potential dryness. A product of this type needs rich moisturizers and deep hydrators to keep dry skin soft and comfortable.
How often should I use this serum?
Start using this treatment once a week in the evening since it exfoliates while you wear it, and only use it more often if your dry skin tolerates it well without extra dryness or flaking. Because this product lacks sufficient hydrating ingredients for dry skin, a product of this type needs rich moisturizers and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or ceramides to keep skin soft and comfortable.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Facial Plastic Surgery, 2014
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This treatment may cause breakouts for some people, as a few reviewers mention this issue. A product of this type needs non-pore-clogging hydrators and soothing plant extracts to keep dry skin comfortable while managing breakouts.
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 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, 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 dry 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 Treatment with cross-linked hyaluronic acid-based microneedle patches combined with acetyl hexapeptide-8 or epidermal growth factor significantly improved wrinkles and skin hydration compared to the patch alone in Korean females over 29 days.
Annals of Dermatology, 2019
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.
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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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