Putting retinol on in the AM is like washing your car before a rainstorm. A total waste of effort.
The real crime? Sunlight deactivates the formula. You’re literally paying for a product that stops working the second you step outside.
This is The Ordinary‘s Retinol 0.5% in Squalane. It’s $7.80. I tried it because the price felt like a dare.
Mid-Strength
0.5% is the sweet spot for seeing real results without a full-face peel.
Squalane Base
It’s suspended in a hydrating oil, which is gentler than a dry serum.
Airless Packaging
The tube keeps the retinol stable – no oxidation, no turning orange.
Photo: pmv chamara / Unsplash
It’s not just retinol. The base formula does heavy lifting. The squalane is a hero – it’s a moisturizer that mimics your skin’s own oil.
- Retinol: Increases cell turnover, tackles fine lines and texture
- Squalane: Hydrates and reinforces the skin barrier
- Bisabolol: Soothes irritation from the retinol itself
- Hydrogenated Polyisobutene: A lightweight slip agent that makes it spreadable
It’s a pale yellow oil. Sinks in within a minute – leaves a slight, dewy film, not greasy. Smells faintly… chemical. Not perfumed.
Week 2, I woke up with skin that felt like a baby dolphin. Smooth. But also, a few dry patches around my chin. It works fast.
After a month, my pores looked airbrushed. A fine line on my forehead got fainter. Zero effect on my deep-set crow’s feet – as expected.
This is the best $8 you can spend on nighttime skincare. Just don’t you dare use it in the morning.