The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion, High-Strength Retinoid Serum for Advanced Anti-Aging Support, 0.5 Fl Oz
$14.90
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From the manufacturer
How does Retinal 0.2% Emulsion support skin concerns?
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion targets signs of aging, uneven skin tone, and textural irregularities. This high-strength retinoid formulation helps improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while smoothing the skin’s texture.
When should I use Retinal 0.2% Emulsion?
We recommend applying The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion in the Treat stage of your PM routine—after water-based serums and before heavier creams.
Can I use Retinal 0.2% Emulsion with other ingredients?
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion should not be used with other retinoids, direct acids, or vitamin C.
Is Retinal 0.2% Emulsion suitable for sensitive skin?
Advanced retinoid formulations may cause irritation, especially for sensitive skin. We recommend performing a patch test before full application to rule out sensitivity.
Does Retinal 0.2% Emulsion increase sun sensitivity?
Yes, this formulation can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun so we recommend it for PM use only. We strongly advise wearing sunscreen if using this product during the day.
How to choose the right retinoid for you:
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Customer Reviews
4.6 out of 5 stars 4,682
4.6 out of 5 stars 4,365
4.5 out of 5 stars 11,047
4.5 out of 5 stars 18,017
4.6 out of 5 stars 2,445
Price
$8.10$8.10
$12.10$12.10
$9.30$9.30
$9.90$9.90
$14.90$14.90
Format
Oil-like Serum
Creamy Serum
Oil-like Serum
Oil-like Serum
Creamy Serum
Strength
Low-Strength
Moderate-Strength
Moderate-Strength
High-Strength
Our Strongest Retinoid
Best For
The First-Time Retinoid User
The Occasional User
The Frequent User
The Advanced User
The Expert User
When to Use
Night
Night
Night
Night
Night
SPF Recommended
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Water-Free
✔
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Alcohol-Free
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Oil-Free
✘
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Silicone-Free
✔
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Gluten-Free
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Vegan
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Product Dimensions : 1 x 1.19 x 4.5 inches; 0.49 ounces
Item model number : 769915233353
UPC : 769915233353
Manufacturer : DECIEM
ASIN : B0CZ5VG3L1
Best Sellers Rank: #2,017 in Beauty & Personal Care (See Top 100 in Beauty & Personal Care) #65 in Facial Serums
Customer Reviews: 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (2,445) var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when(‘A’, ‘ready’).execute(function(A) { if (dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction !== true) { dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction = true; A.declarative( ‘acrLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault”: true }, function (event) { if (window.ue) { ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } } ); } }); P.when(‘A’, ‘cf’).execute(function(A) { A.declarative(‘acrStarsLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault” : true }, function(event){ if(window.ue) { ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } }); });
HIGH-STRENGTH RETINOID FORMULA: Retinal 0.2% Emulsion firms and smooths skin after 2 uses, reducing the appearance of dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles.
ADVANCED AGE SUPPORT: Targets common signs of aging, including crow’s feet, frown lines, forehead wrinkles, and uneven skin tone.
EFFICIENT DELIVERY OF VITAMIN A: Retinaldehyde, is 1 step closer to the bioactive form of Vitamin A than retinol, making it ideal for experienced retinoid users.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Apply a pea-sized amount to clean, dry face and neck in the evening. Start with weekly use, increasing frequency as skin tolerates. Avoid contact with eyes.
FREE FROM: Cruelty-free, gluten-free, vegan, alcohol-free, oil-free, and silicone-free formulation.
10 reviews for The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion, High-Strength Retinoid Serum for Advanced Anti-Aging Support, 0.5 Fl Oz
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$14.90
Rachel Colameco –
I am blown away
I’ve used The Ordinary products for years. Mostly just the basic skin care like for cleanser, serum and moisturizer, and Ive always loved it. Everything is great and its always reliable. And affordable!I am 39 with skin thats starting to show signs of aging but still a pretty prevalent acne issue. Its hard dealing with both because different areas of my face needed vastly different things. I was on trentinoin for years. While it worked excellent, its expensive. $65/m for just the trentinoin, not including all the other skincare. I have been trying to cut my budget down (who isnt?), and it had to go. Some retinol formulations I have tried are extremely expensive and really honestly not effective. I figured that The Ordinary has been a mainstay in my skincare for years now, so I may as well try it and if it doesnt work it’s not like I wasted a ton of money.This stuff is AMAZING. I mean… I really want to say it’s more effective than my trentinoin. I have been using retinol and trentinoin for about 12 years now. The formulation of this is excellent. It will purge your skin when you start. That’s how you know its working. Once the initial phase works through, and with consistent application, you WILL see a massive difference. Even instantly after application it improve the look and feel of my skin, but the lasting effects come with consistent use. However they formulate this makes is so effective but also makes your skin look and feel great after just applying it.It isn’t over-drying to my skin personally but like I said I suffer from a lot of breakouts still, and I also have been using very high rx levels of trentinoin amd retinol for over a decade.They also have a retinol in squalane oil and it’s amazing for if your skin is feeling dry. I live in a very cold, windy and dry climate most of the year and was still able to use this and the retinol in squalane all winter without overdrying. But I do also follow with Orindays rich moisturizer and will use different serums for whether my skin feels dry or not.I am so wildly impressed by the results I got with this for the price!!!!! Even other drugstore brand retinol skincare costs much more and isn’t a fraction of as effective as this. I never thought id find a replacement for trentinoin until I was able to afford ro restart my prescription again. Not only did I find it but it’s unbelievably affordable and on Amazon.I cannot recommend this enough for acne prone or aging skin. If theres one skincare item I’d make sure everyone over 30-35 years old had access to, it would be this.I am SO grateful for The Ordinary for making excellent quality and reliable products for years that are so extremely affordable. They changed the game. Even when I am in the best spot financially, spending that much on luxury skincare can be incredibly hard. The Ordinary makes incredible skincare accessible to so many more people and I am genuinely grateful for them never having raised their prices dramatically, if at all.
Katie –
Great for Cell Turnover and Smoother Under-Eye Texture
I have been very pleased with this retinal emulsion so far. It has made a noticeable difference in my skin’s overall texture and has especially helped with cell turnover, leaving my complexion looking smoother and more refined. One area where I have seen the biggest improvement is the tiny milia under my eyes, which appear less prominent with continued use.This is definitely a stronger formula, so a little goes a long way. I have noticed it can create a temporary tightening or slightly dry feeling after application, so following with a rich moisturizer is essential. Layering moisturizer on top also helps offset the slight yellow tint this product can leave on the skin immediately after use.Thankfully my skin seems to tolerate it very well with no major irritation, but as with any retinal product, daily SPF is non-negotiable while using it.Overall, this is an effective anti-aging and resurfacing treatment at a very reasonable price point. If you are looking to improve texture, encourage faster skin renewal, and target small stubborn bumps like milia, this is a great addition to a nighttime routine.
Brittany –
Good starter
This is a good starter retinal. It is bright yellow which should be its purest form. It is lightweight and fragrance-free. It drys instantly while also moisturizes.
cort : ) –
Really good retinol at such a good pricepoint
I have been highly impressed with the ordinary brand of products. I recently have been beefing up my skincare routine and getting the more higher end brands now that I’m beginning to age and am getting closer to 40. Now normally the adage “You get what your pay for” is quite true, but this brand is definitely the exception to this rule. This is a very strong and effective retinol and I’m astonished that it is as accessible as it is and the amazing price point with it being so well done and effective. This is definitely not for beginners of retinol, this is for the seasoned retinol users, and those that have no sensitivity issues whatsoever with harsher skincare products. I started out with using the retinol in squalene with the serum dropper method of transfer until my skin became slowly transitioned well enough to begin the highest dose available with The Ordinary. This process comes in a tube bottle almost like a skinny cigar in size. I love the compact form, especially with so many products being serum based and in dropper vials, this is a welcomed change. This has a cap like a marker on top, and a small pump to dispense the product. The product is neon yellow in color, which is the color of retinol product. It has the consistency of the paint that would be used with finger painting. A little goes a long way. It is recommended and advised to only use a pea sized amount, but lets be real a pea sized amount is barely getting my whole face lol. I use two pea size drops to cover both halves of my face, one on the left and one on the right. This container will last you a long time, so the price point is phenomenal. Remember to start out slow and only use every few nights and work your way to every other day then nightly. Dont use this for morning/day skincare routine, only use this at night. Make sure to moisturize on top and absolutely definitely wear sunscreen the next day when going out in the sun because if not, you will burn and your skin will be very sensitive. I will be continuing to purchase this everytime I run out 🥰
Carlotta –
Gentle and perfect for beginners
I had tried a retinol in the past, but I am not sure if it was too strong, if I was overusing it, or if I just didn’t know what I was doing, I ended up irritating my skin quite badly.With this one, I have had no issues at all. It is gentle, doesn’t dry me out too much, and was a great way to get back into using retinol. It is also lasting a long time (you really only need a pea-sized amount each time).I am not sure I am seeing major results yet, so I might try a higher concentration in the future. That said, I think this is a perfect starting point if you are new to retinol.
Pinkypalace –
Amazing stuff! Has made a massive difference to my skin that use to look dull with open pores and hyperpigmentation. This stuff is stronger than Retinol. So do your research before trying this. My tip is use plenty of moisturiser once this has sunk in to prevent dry skin. And using hyaluronic acid serum helps before moisturiser to combat this. Personally I rotate this with AHA/BHA acid peel from The Ordinary every other night. You only need one pump to use over all your face (not the eye area) But I am impressed with the results so far. My skin is so smooth, no visible pores hyperpigmentation has faded dramatically and my make up glides on now. The price is also fantastic
Amazon Kunde –
Its such good value. I use it twice a week and it does remove little lines and bumps/ issues. Just promise to use sunscreen with all retinol products. I’m sure there’s better ones, but for price point, if youre just trying retinol or on a budget, its fabulous. I like skincare but im not obsessed so i think its really good. It has no odour and goes on well and is easily absorbed. I have sensitive skin and as long as i use spf 50 everyday, im not irritated. Try it!
Zan –
I really like this product it seems to be very effective. However it is extremely small so you literally should buy x2 at least
Linda Finetti –
Ottimo prodotto soprattutto per il rapporto qualità -prezzo.Usato con costanza migliora moltissimo l’aspetto della pelle.Non ho avuto irritazione
Reanne martin –
This is my favourite retinal. I’m so sad that the ordinary doesn’t sell this in Canada anymore. The price on it fluctuates, which is expected I’m glad that I can still get it here. I use this three times a week and I have been using it since October and it’s now February. I have no idea how much is left in the bottle because I can’t see, but it doesn’t feel empty and the pumps still pumping a normal amount of product without spitting. I have a very intense skincare routine, but this helped me get rid of my fine lines and texture. The fine lines aren’t 100% gone hydration also had something to do with it but it did really help. This is my ride or die. I’m really sad. I can’t get in Canada anymore outside of Amazon.