The Ordinary’s £12 retinal serum praised by reviewer who compared it with a £65 version
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A five-star reviewer says they swapped a £65 retinal for this much cheaper formula and were impressed by how their skin looked after several weeks of use
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion is currently reduced to £12.16 on Amazon, and one five-star reviewer says it performs as well as a much more expensive alternative. The high-strength retinal serum normally has an RRP of £15.20, making the limited-time deal a saving of 20 per cent.
The reviewer, who had previously been using a retinal costing £65, said they decided to try The Ordinary’s Retinal 0.2% Emulsion because it was around a third of the price. After using it every other day for around four weeks, they said their skin looked “clear and glowy” and reported having no problems with sensitivity when following it with moisturiser.
They also praised how the retinal treatment feels on the skin, describing it as easy to smooth over the face and saying that only one pump is needed per application. For anyone curious about introducing a stronger vitamin A product without immediately spending £50 or more, that makes the current price particularly interesting.
The Ordinary describes its Retinal 0.2% Emulsion as its highest-strength retinoid formula, using stabilised retinaldehyde for what it calls advanced age support. Retinaldehyde is one step closer to the bioactive form of vitamin A than retinol, so this is positioned towards people who are already experienced with retinoids rather than those starting from scratch.
At £12.16 for 15ml, the serum is designed to target the appearance of several common signs of ageing, including fine lines, wrinkles, crow’s feet, frown lines, dark spots and uneven skin tone. The supplied product information also says it is intended to firm and smooth the appearance of skin.
The application instructions are worth paying attention to, particularly if you are moving up to a stronger retinoid. The recommendation is to use a pea-sized amount on clean, dry skin across the face and neck in the evening, starting weekly before gradually increasing use as your skin tolerates it. It should not be applied around the eyes, and daytime sun protection is recommended.
The reviewer’s experience is encouraging, but it is still worth remembering that individual skin can react differently to retinal. Their lack of sensitivity should not be taken as a guarantee that everyone will tolerate the formula in the same way, particularly if you are new to retinoids.
The formula is also vegan and cruelty-free, as well as being free from alcohol, oil, gluten and silicones. For those already comfortable using retinoids, the £12.16 deal on The Ordinary serum offers a relatively inexpensive way to try a higher-strength retinal formula while the promotion lasts.
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion is currently available for £12.16 on Amazon, down from £15.20, although the price and availability of the deal can change.
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