My skin looked fine. I didn’t need a miracle. That’s exactly why I tested it.
Because everyone swears by this cheap little bottle from The Ordinary—I had to know if it was hype or real.
It’s a 0.5% retinol serum in squalane. $7.90. The claim? Smoother skin, less congestion. For that price, I was skeptical.
The Texture
An oily serum—not a dry oil, a proper slick.
The Smell
Faintly chemical. Not perfumed, just… science-y.
The Routine
Two drops, max. Three and you’re a glazed donut.
Two main players. Retinol to speed up cell turnover. Squalane to cushion the blow.
- Retinol 0.5%: The active that tells your skin to get its act together
- Squalane: A mega-hydrator that mimics your skin’s own oil
- Bisabolol: A calming agent from chamomile
- Hydrogenated Polyisobutene: Just a fancy slip agent
Week 1: Skin feels like silk immediately after—but that’s the squalane. Absorbs in 90 seconds if you pat it.
Week 2-3: The purge is real. Two new friends appeared on my chin. Not dramatic, but a clear sign it was working.
After 30 days? My forehead texture is legit smoother. No new breakouts. But my deeper lines? Unmoved. It’s a surface-level renovator.
It works—but only on the promises it can actually keep. A brilliant, boring starter serum.