VerdictAI
#4 in Best Retinol Products

The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane, High-Strength Retinol Serum for Anti-Aging and Skin Smoothing GreenCircle Sustainable Energy…

Best for

Best 0.5-1% retinol

Amazon rating

★★★★★4.5(18,668)

Amazon aggregate, one input among many in the Verdict Score

Verdict scoreGreat
80/ 100

Current price

$9.90

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Updated Jun 27, 2026 · 1 min read

The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane, High-Strength Retinol Serum for Anti-Aging and Skin Smoothing GreenCircle Sustainable Energy…

The consensus

What reviewers found

Synthesized across the trust-weighted source mix below.

The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane carries a 4.5 average across roughly 18,668 verified-purchase ratings in the supplied data, making it the most-reviewed high-strength retinol here. Its squalane base is commonly chosen to cushion the relatively potent 1% concentration, and the very low price point is a recurring reason shoppers gravitate to it for an experienced-user dose. We were not given independent expert testing or specialist-community threads for this listing, so the verdict rests on retail rating data.

What reviewers liked

  • Highest retinol strength in the pool for experienced users
  • Very low price with a large verified-purchase base (~18,668)
  • Squalane base helps buffer the potent concentration

Where it falls short

  • 1% strength is too strong for retinol beginners
  • Slightly lower average rating (4.5) than the encapsulated serums
  • No independent testing or community data supplied to confirm tolerability

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Across the reviews

Synthesis · not our verdict

The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane carries a 4.5 average across roughly 18,668 verified-purchase ratings in the supplied data, making it the most-reviewed high-strength retinol here. Its squalane base is commonly chosen to cushion the relatively potent 1% concentration, and the very low price point is a recurring reason shoppers gravitate to it for an experienced-user dose.

We were not given independent expert testing or specialist-community threads for this listing, so the verdict rests on retail rating data. Worth noting: at 1% this is not a beginner product, and the slightly lower average versus the encapsulated CeraVe serums is consistent with high-strength retinol producing more irritation for some users.

Key specs

Source: Amazon listing
High-Strength Retinol Formula
Retinol 1% in Squalane targets fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin texture with a potent 1% retinol concentration.
Iimproves Texture & Tone
Works to even out skin texture and tone, addressing signs of aging such as lines and wrinkles from the loss of collagen and elastin.
Conditions & Nourishes
Supported with squalane, a conditioning agent that nourishes skin to help target dryness associated with retinol use.
Ideal For Expert Users
Best for users who have built tolerance to lower-strength retinol. Ideal for those ready for high-strength retinoid solutions.
Application Instructions
Apply a few drops to the face in the evening. Use sun protection during the day. Do not use with other retinoid products. Refrigerate after opening.

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