The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane Review for Acne Scarring (Day 13)

#30dayglowup - Day 13

Even skin tone, reduce the appearance of scarring and prevent wrinkles? Let's see what retinol can do for you...

Since about 1 year after finishing my Accutane treatment I began to research skincare products and ingredients for healing acne scars and reducing pigmentation. Something that appeared over and over again is using retinoids in your skincare routine to rapidly increase the rate of cell turn over, thereby making them ideal in evening out skin tone and texture. After looking into different derivations of retinols and the products that were on offer, I decided to settle on The Ordinary Retinol 1% in squalane. In this article I’m going to give you the full breakdown of this product: how it applies, the results, why it works, where you can get it and more. So if you’re interested in a detailed review read on, or if you’re looking for a summary there’s a list of pros and cons at the bottom of the article.

 

First impression and application

The retinol comes in a glass bottle with a pipette applicator similarly to many other The Ordinary products. It cost me £5.80 for 30 mL which, compared to other retinol products on the market, is pretty inexpensive. The texture is very similar to that of an oil and is very greasy when you’re rubbing it in – definitely not great for under makeup. It does leave you very shiny looking and in combination with it increasing the risk of sun damage to the skin without SPF, I’d really recommend only using it in a PM routine.

 

Results

This baby is honestly one of my favourite skincare products and is a stable of my nighttime routine. Even only the morning after applying it I see a difference in my skin tone; it’s more even overall and the redness is reduced. I have been using this in my skincare for around 6 months now and in combination with my other skincare products it has done wonders for my skin. Whilst I still have the pitted scarring that I’ve been left with from many years of persistent acne, a lot of the coloration of my scars has been reduced and they appear a lot more faded.

 

My routine goes along the lines of: cleanse, apply the retinol, moisturize. I also only use it every other day so as not to cause irritation, and I’d also recommend starting with a lower percentage and building up your concentration over time to see how your skin reacts. I also only use it every other day, swapping it with niacinamide and zinc solution on my ‘off’ days. Some people say they experience dryness using retinoids however due to the squalane solution and its oily consistency this has never been an issue for me. I also don’t experience any stinging or irritation upon application whatsoever and I didn’t have any purging when I first started using it.

 

 

Why it works

Retinols are a type of retinoid which are vitamin A derivatives and commonly used in skincare for anti-aging and evening skin tone. They work by increasing the rate of skin cell turnover, meaning that you’re more constantly replacing damaged or pigmented skin with fresher and brighter skin. This can improve skin tone and texture, and with prolonged used can reduce the appearance of scarring.

 

Using retinoids also have to trigger your skin to produce collagen, which is associated with skin elasticity and thickness, and therefore aging. As your skin produces less collagen your skin becomes more elastic and less able to hold its shape, causing wrinkling. By starting using retinols in your skincare at a young age it will do wonders for preventing signs of aging early on.

 

This The Ordinary product is said to be highly stable and water free so is safe to use on your skin over a long duration of time.

 

Pros:

• Significantly reduced my hyperpigmentation
• Leaves skin bright and plump
• Doesn’t irritate my skin
• Stable formulation
• Anti-aging benefits
• Cheap

 

Cons:

• Can cause purging
• Can caused irritation if used incorrectly
• Can increase risk of sun damage – use SPF!

 

Where to purchase in the UK

• Amazon
• Cult Beauty
• Beauty Bay

Definitely keep an eye out as it tends to be sold out a lot of places online so it can be pretty difficult to get your hands on!

Product Alternatives

• Boots No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate (£25)
• Dermatologica Retinol Clearing Oil (£69)
• Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream (£62)
• Paula's Choice Resist 1% Retinol Booster (£47)

In conclusion

If you’re looking to introduce retinols into your skincare The Ordinary is a good place to start – you can purchase it cheaply and increase the percentage as your skin adjusts to the concentration. I cannot recommend using retinols enough to ensure your skin appears glowing and healthy in the long term, and it can combat many common skin issues.

 

As someone whose long-term biggest security has been my skin I am constantly looking for products that will make me more comfortable with myself and (literally) in my own skin. Skincare is a big part of my glow up journey, and is this is my favourite product within my routine I thought I would dedicate an entire post featuring it as a recommendation to you.

 

Thank you for reading and as usual if you have any recommendations or requests just give me a message. I can’t speak for how this product affects active acne as my main issue is uneven skin texture and hyperpigmentation, however I would imagine increases the rate of cell turnover would have a positive impact on reducing acne. If you’re struggling with acne trust me I know from experience how difficult it can be to deal with, definitely keep persisting with treatments until you find what works for you and remember that your skin doesn’t define you and you’re definitely not alone.