From high-tech LED face masks to the most hyped luxury brands, skincare can come with a hefty price tag. So, when a brand like The Ordinary offers affordable products that can get the job done, they earn a spot on beauty editors’ watch lists.
Indeed, from its retinol to its retinal offerings, you won’t find The Ordinary leaning into superfluous bells and whistles. That means no fragrance, no elaborate packaging, and instead, a roster of solid, no-frills formulas that we can always count on when our disposable income is looking, well, not so disposable.
One such product that is firmly on our radar is The Ordinary’s retinal 0.2% emulsion (was £15.20, now £13.68, Amazon.co.uk). Pocket-sized and potent, this little serum has the power to firm and fill lacklustre skin thanks to its vitamin A-derived formula.
The difference between retinol and retinal lies in the fact that the latter is further along the vitamin A cycle, so it works faster on fine lines, boosting cell turnover and all its other anti-ageing benefits. Keep reading for everything you need to know about The Ordinary’s formula, plus our tried and tested review.
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The Ordinary retinal 0.2% emulsion 15ml: Was £15.20, now £13.68, Amazon.co.uk
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With similar products from competitors – such as Medik8, Kate Somerville and K-beauty brand Naturium – costing around £50, The Ordinary offers a more affordable, and, in some cases, more effective formula.
The Ordinary’s retinal 0.2% features skin-protecting oats to combat the potential irritation that can go hand-in-hand with vitamin A formulas, especially given this retinal’s quick-working nature. Take it from beauty editor Lucy Partington, who reviewed the product for our review of the best retinol creams and found it “the most affordable and effective retinal formula”.
She enjoyed both the addition of calming oats for any dryness or inflammation and said that it is “suitable for all skin types”. Plus, boosting the product’s value for money even more, she added that “only a pea-sized amount is needed a couple of times a week”, meaning this tube should “last you a few months”.
If you’ve been considering adding vitamin A to your nightly skincare, this retinal is the way to go. We’d recommend introducing it into your routine gradually, increasing and decreasing use at your skin’s pace to minimise any reactions.
After more anti-ageing skincare additions? Read our review of the best anti-ageing night creams
