I’ve always been really impressed by The Ordinary’s range of Retinols, as I think that they give fantastic Anti-Ageing results with very little irritation whilst still also being really affordable. That’s why when I saw that they had released a Retinal 0.2% Emulsion that claims to leave you with smoother, firmer and younger-looking Skin whilst I was scrolling through Boots’ Website a couple of weeks ago, I obviously had to pick it up. Well i’ve been using it for a little while now, and I thought that I would tell you what I thought of it.
A picture of The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion.
Here’s what The Ordinary say about their Retinal 0.2% Emulsion.
Our highest-strength Retinoid formula with Stabilised Retinaldehyde for advanced Age support, optimal for Nighttime use.
Our Retinal 0.2% Emulsion is a very high strength Retinoid formula that rapidly firms and smooths Skin, while noticeably reducing the appearance of Dark Spots. It helps refine Skin texture, while targeting uneven tone and boosting luminosity for brighter, more even-looking Skin.
With a high 0.2% concentration of Retinal, our Retinal 0.2% Emulsion is able to noticeably improve Skin firmness and improve the look of Lines and Wrinkles, including Crow’s Feet, Frown Lines, and Forehead Wrinkles.
The Serum-textured formula is suitable for all Skin types, and is recommended for experienced users of Retinoids.
Targets. Signs of Ageing, Textural Irregularities, Crows Feet, and uneven Skin tone.
Suited to. All Skin types.
Format. Emulsion.
Ph. 6.0 to 7.0.
Alcohol-free.
Oil-free.
Silicone-free.
Vegan.
Gluten-free.
Cruelty-free.
How to use.
Apply a Pea-sized amount to a clean, dry Face and Neck in the Evening.
Avoid the Eye Contour and contact with Eyes.
Start with a weekly application and gradually increase to twice a week, a few days apart, as tolerated by your Skin.
Apply a Moisturiser afterwards.
Do not use with other Retinal products.
Use Sun Protection during the day.
It’s scent.
I wasn’t really a massive fan of it’s scent, as even though it contained Water, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyapatite, Retinal, Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide, 4-t-Butylcyclohexanol, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Ergothioneine, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Bisabolol, Feild Mustard Sterols, Ginger Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Isohexadecane, Hexyldecanol, Maltodextrin, Tara Gum, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Stearic Acid, Isoceteth-20, Polysorbate 60, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Lactic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, and Chlorphenesin, I thought that it had a very strange deep and musky yet ever so slightly nutty Cardboard scent to it that kind of reminded me of if someone had left a massive Pile of Cardboard outside in the Rain.
It’s consistency.
I really liked it’s consistency, as even though it was called a Retinal Serum, I thought that it felt incredibly thick and gelatinous yet ever so slightly watery, and was more like an incredibly thick and gelatinous yet ever so slightly watery Hyaluronic Acid Serum rather than a thin and watery yet ever so slightly oily Retinal Serum.
What it did when I used it.
I really liked what this did when I used it, as once I had started to massage a little bit of it into my Skin, it turned from an incredibly thick and gelatinous yet ever so slightly watery Hyaluronic Acid Serum into a thin and watery yet ever so slightly gelatinous Retinal Serum that sank into my Skin within a matter of seconds.
It’s results.
I absolutely loved it’s results, as not only did this leave my Skin feeling incredibly silky soft, smooth, firm, plump, bouncy and intensely hydrated, but it also left it looking extremely glowing, radiant, clear, brighter, a little bit younger and much healthier for hours after I had used it. I also really liked that it managed to minimise quite a lot of the Fine Lines and Wrinkles that are around my Eyes and Forehead, and that it didn’t manage to irritate the Patches of Eczema that I get underneath my Eyes. I did however notice that I got a slight bit of irritation around my Sideburns for the first two or three times that I used it though.
It’s packaging.
I really liked it’s packaging, as this came in a short cylindrical Plastic Bottle with an Airless Pump Lid that looked beautiful sat on my Beauty Shelves.
My overall thoughts.
Overall I would have to rate The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion a nine out of ten. I absolutely loved it’s incredibly thick and gelatinous yet ever so slightly watery consistency, what it did when I used it, it’s results, and it’s packaging, but I just wasn’t a massive fan of it’s very strange deep and musky yet ever so slightly nutty Cardboard scent. I also wish that it was available in a much bigger Bottle, as 15ml of a Retinal doesn’t last that long, especially if you’re using it between two and three times a week like you’re supposed to do.
If you would like to check out The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion for yourselves, then you can find it online here.
Have you checked out The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion yet? What did you think of it? What’s some of your favourite Retinal Serums? Please let me know down below.
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Luke x
Thank you for this blog. I never knew what retinal cream did.