Retinal 0.2% Emulsion, High-Strength Retinoid Serum for Advanced Anti-Aging Support, 15ml

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

The biggest difference to my skin!!! Can’t believe I didn’t find retinol sooner it’s crazy. If I apply this at night it’s like my skin has a full reset in the morning, less redness and a lot smoother. Definitely seems to be the best value one in the game. I pair it with the ordinary squalane cleanser first.

I bought this retinal serum to step up from lower strength retinoids after my skin had already adjusted, mainly to target uneven texture, breakouts, and early fine lines. The emulsion has a lightweight texture that spreads easily and absorbs well without feeling greasy. A pea sized amount is enough for the whole face, and despite the small bottle, it lasts longer than expected when used correctly. Results became noticeable within a couple of weeks, with smoother skin, fewer congestion issues, and an overall brighter appearance. That said, this is a high strength product and it does require care. Some initial dryness and sensitivity are likely if it is overused or combined with other active ingredients, so moisturising properly and easing into use is important. The yellow tint may also be off putting to some, although it does not stain and washes off easily. Overall, it delivers strong performance at a relatively accessible price point, provided it is used with caution and experience.

Absorption is amazing, the colour is a little off putting as it’s bright yellow and does stain clothes, it’s definitely working and after 3 months my skin looks and feels amazing! I would recommend a moisturising over the top to seal it but it’s not the driest one I have used. Will definitely be purchasing again and have done a few times.

I love this product. I had been using a retinal that cost £65 and I thought I would give this one a try as it’s a third of the price. It has a nice feel to it and is easy to smooth over the skin. You only need one pump, so it will last quite a long time. I’ve been using it every other day for around 4 weeks. I always follow up with a moisturiser and I haven’t had any problems with sensitivity. My skin looks clear and glowy.

It’s a good retinal and feels nice to apply, but the strong yellow tint lets it down. I’ve had it transfer onto pillowcases and clothes, which is frustrating. Would be much better without that issue.

After two month's use, I've seen a marked improvement in my skin texture. I have sensitive 40s skin with PP rosacea. I've tolerated the retinal well, starting off twice a week at night and now using every other night. Skin looks clearer, more even tone and noticeably smoother texture, with no irritation. The texture of the retinal is much nicer than retinols I've previously used and found to be greasy and heavy - this cream goes on easily and sinks in quickly. Great stuff and excellent value.

I put this to the test and I can say I absolutely approve. For years, I had used Tretinoin and then Tazarotene. I never got the results everyone else got, despite using ceramides, SPF 50+ and moisturising my skin constantly. Tret made me peel non stop and Taz made my skin ridiculously sensitive. I never noticed any difference in my skin tone or wrinkles, despite using these for years. If anything, I felt things only got worse. I thought to myself that maybe my skin is just too sensitive. For context, I am the palest of the pale on the Fitzpatrick scale and my skin bruises easily and I get stretch marks easily. The retinoids I had tried absolutely did not thicken my skin. So I decided to try this product, The Ordinary Retinal at 0.2%. I only apply it every second night and my golly, I am noticing a difference already, after 2 weeks. I do not have the same irritation and I am really happy with how things are going. I start off by cleansing my face and apply a thin layer of the Olay Beauty Fluid (gorgeous stuff, by the way!) and wait half an hour, then I apply a pea size amount (I can't stress this enough. Retinoids are medication and should be treated as such. Otherwise you will destroy your skin.) and dot it around my face and then rub it in. It absorbs very quickly and don't be alarmed if your face has a yellow tint, it's normal for a retinoid to have this. I then wait another 20-30 mins and apply my second layer of Olay, essentially "sandwiching" the retinoid. Some people use vaseline on top of this to work as an occlusive, but I don't like the feeling of my face being covered in Vaseline. It definitely does help, though! In the morning, be sure to wash it off straight away. You don't want any sunlight to reach your skin when you have a retinoid on it. Apply your lotions and potions and always finish off with an SPF 50+ (La Roche or Tropic are both excellent.) For the price, this is excellent! It's effective and works better for folk who can't tolerate the stronger retinoids. You'll be grateful to try this a it won't be as inflamed as the stronger retinoids. Inflammation breaks down collagen and it's the last thing you need when you are trying to slow down the aging process So get your Retinal from The Ordinary and enjoy ❤️ it is the best magic potion out there.