Nykaa E retail limited
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% In Squalane
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% In Squalane
Nykaa E retail limited
the-ordinary-retinol-0-5-in-squalane
Serum
10084981244197
Morning or Evening?
How often will you use this product?
Notes
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Retinol serum with 7 ingredients
FEATURES
Moderate strength retinol; targets signs of aging, dryness, textural irregularities, uneven skin tone; water-free; contains moisturizing squalane; improves fine and dynamic lines and skin texture; refrigerate after opening; use within three months; use sun protection
BEST FOR
all skin types
CHECKS
Does not contain other retinoids, suitable for sensitive skin with caution, no artificial preservatives
Who Is It For?
What Does It Help With?
Signs Of Aging Dryness Uneven Skin Tone Texture Irregularities Fine LinesBudget
Mid-range ($30-$75)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What Nykaa E retail limited Says
Product Description:
A moderate-strength retinol serum that targets general signs of skin aging. Targets: Signs of aging, dryness, textural irregularities, uneven skin tone. Suited to: All skin types. Format: Anhydrous Solution. Key Ingredients: Retinol, Squalane. Retinol 0.5% in Squalane offers a water-free solution containing 0.5% retinol, an ingredient that improves the appearance of fine and dynamic lines from loss of collagen and elastin, while evening skin texture and tone. The formula is supported with squalane, a moisturizing agent that enhances surface-level hydration and helps combat dryness associated with retinol use. Note: Refrigerate after opening and use within three months. Caution: Retinoids increase skin sensitivity to UV radiation; sun protection is important. Do not use with other retinoids. Not a treatment for acne. Avoid use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
Squalane,Caprylic/Capric-Triglyceride,Simmondsia-Chinensis-(Jojoba)-Seed-Oil,Retinol,Solanum-Lycopersicum-(Tomato)-Fruit-Extract,Rosmarinus-Officinalis-(Rosemary)-Leaf-Extract,Hydroxymethoxyphenyl-Decanone,Bht
Key Ingredients
Retinol,Squalane
Ingredients Details
Bht
Common Name(s): Bht
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Delivers targeted skin-conditioning or bioactive benefits through a specific mechanism of action suited to the formulation's intended purpose.
Why It's Used: Specialty actives address specific skin concerns through targeted molecular mechanisms, providing efficacy beyond what base formulation ingredients alone can achieve.
How It Works: The bioactive compound interacts with specific molecular targets in skin cells or the extracellular matrix โ enzymes, receptors, structural proteins, or signaling molecules โ triggering beneficial biological responses.
Typically Found In: Serums,treatments,moisturizers,specialty products
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Specialty actives
Secondary Functions: Skin-conditioning,anti-aging
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.01โ5%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Specialty active ingredient; check individual sourcing for vegan status.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1
Comedogenicity Rating: 0
Sensitivity Concerns: Low sensitization potential at recommended use concentrations.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Well-characterized cosmetic ingredient with established safety profile. generally non-irritating at typical use concentrations. suitable for leave-on and rinse-off cosmetics.
Works Well With: Niacinamide,hyaluronic acid,vitamin c,peptides
Avoid Combining With: Incompatible with oxidizing agents; check ph stability
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Specialty actives typically work through enzyme inhibition (e.g., tyrosinase inhibition for brightening, mmp inhibition for anti-aging), receptor activation (e.g., retinoid receptors, ppar-ฮณ for barrier genes), or transcription factor modulation (e.g., nrf2 for antioxidant gene upregulation). structure-activity relationships determine potency and selectivity.
Last Verified: Cosing eu database; pcpc cosmetic ingredient safety reviews; ingredient-specific safety and efficacy literature
Primary Sources: 2025-01-15
Retinol
Common Name(s): Vitamin a,all-trans retinol,(all-e)-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-2,4,6,8-nonatetraen-1-ol
CAS Number: 68-26-8
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Retinol accelerates skin cell turnover, stimulates collagen production, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, fades hyperpigmentation, and helps normalize pore size.
Why It's Used: It is the most evidence-backed anti-aging ingredient available without a prescription. it provides comprehensive skin renewal benefits that no other single cosmetic ingredient can match.
How It Works: Retinol is converted in the skin to retinoic acid, which binds to retinoid receptors in cell nuclei. this activates gene expression changes that accelerate cell turnover, boost collagen synthesis, and inhibit matrix metalloproteinases (collagen-degrading enzymes).
Typically Found In: Night creams,serums,eye creams,targeted treatment products,anti-aging formulations
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ vitamin a derivative
Secondary Functions: Exfoliating,anti-acne,brightening
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.025%โ1% (otc); start at low concentrations and build up slowly
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional โ can be animal-derived (fish liver, egg yolk) or synthetic; verify source
Halal Status: Conditional โ verify source; synthetic retinol is halal
Source Notes: Cosmetic retinol is predominantly synthetically manufactured. some natural sources include fish liver oils. synthetic is preferred for purity and sustainability.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 3/5 โ moderate; can cause dryness, peeling, redness, especially during adjustment period (retinization)
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic; actually helps clear pores
Sensitivity Concerns: Retinization period: 2โ6 weeks of potential dryness, flaking, and sensitivity. photosensitizing โ must use spf when using retinol. avoid during pregnancy.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Use with caution โ start at 0.025%, buffer with moisturizer, use every 2โ3 nights initially
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Safe for general use at otc concentrations. not recommended during pregnancy. avoid with waxing. use spf daily. ewg hazard score: varies by concentration.
Works Well With: Niacinamide (soothes irritation),peptides,ceramides,hyaluronic acid,spf (mandatory)
Avoid Combining With: Benzoyl peroxide (may inactivate retinol),ahas/bhas (when new to retinol โ overexfoliation risk),vitamin c (use at different times)
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Retinol is approximately 20 times less potent than prescription tretinoin (retinoic acid) but significantly better tolerated. the conversion rate of retinol to retinoic acid in skin is the rate-limiting step in its efficacy.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,journal of investigative dermatology,kligman et al. studies
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Squalane
Common Name(s): Perhydrosqualene,2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyltetracosane
CAS Number: 0111-01-03
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides endogenous-skin-identical emolliency with exceptional stability and skin compatibility.
Why It's Used: The most skin-compatible emollient โ chemically identical to human sebum squalene component with outstanding tolerability across all skin types.
How It Works: Fully saturated hydrocarbon with zero oxidation sites provides exceptional stability unlike squalene's 6 double bonds. integrates into stratum corneum lipid bilayers with near-perfect biocompatibility. provides antioxidant protection to formulation via radical quenching.
Typically Found In: Facial oils,serums,non-comedogenic moisturizers,luxury body care
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ emollient
Secondary Functions: Maximum biocompatibility,antioxidant stabilizer,non-comedogenic
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%โ100%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional โ plant-derived (sugarcane, olive) preferred; shark liver-derived being phased out
Halal Status: Yes โ plant-derived
Source Notes: Sustainable plant-derived squalane from sugarcane fermentation (amyris) or olive oil fractionation is preferred over shark liver-derived. chemically identical regardless of source.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Humectants,ceramides,actives as carrier
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Squalene constitutes approximately 12-15% of human sebum โ the highest proportion of any skin lipid. topical squalane (stable, hydrogenated form) replenishes this abundant endogenous skin lipid. the complete absence of oxidizable double bonds (unlike squalene's 6 double bonds) eliminates the pro-oxidant concerns of natural squalene oxidation.
Last Verified: Cosing database,huang et al. squalane review,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12