The Retinol 0.5
CosRx · 2: treat

The Retinol 0.5

0.5% pure retinol in a nourishing oil base with squalane and vitamin E, formulated to target deeper wrinkles, uneven texture, and skin firmness for those with retinol experience seeking a stronger formulation.

$27.00 Buy on Amazon →
How to use

At night on clean, dry skin, put 1 to 2 drops in your hand and tap or massage it in, avoiding the eyes and lips. Follow with moisturizer. Start 2 to 3 nights a week and build up; the brand's page and FAQ differ on whether to reach nightly or every other night. Use sunscreen by day.

Pros
  • 0.5% retinol, a higher strength with strong evidence for wrinkles and texture
  • Squalane base with vitamin E helps cushion dryness
  • Brand's own 4-week study reports fewer wrinkles and smaller pores
Cons
  • Not for beginners; the brand suggests starting with its 0.1 or 0.3 retinol cream
  • Can irritate; patch test first, and the brand says to avoid exfoliating acids and high-strength vitamin C in the same routine
  • Short shelf life of about 3 months after opening

Pros, cons and how-to-use notes are Derminology's own opinion and suggestions, based on ingredients we've matched to published clinical evidence and on the brand's directions. They are general information, not medical advice. Always follow the label, patch test new products, and ask a doctor or dermatologist if you have a skin condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or use prescription treatments.

Active Ingredients

The ingredients we've matched to real clinical evidence and used to score this product's efficacy below — not the full ingredient label.

Claims

? Non-comedogenic (unknown)
✓ Dermatologist tested
✓ Safe for sensitive skin
✓ Hypoallergenic
? Fragrance free (unknown)
✓ Paraben free
? Oil free (unknown)

Efficacy readout

Blemishes
3.2/5
Aging
4.6/5
Irritation
0.1/5

Eczema and Rosacea scoring: Coming soon — most clinically-proven treatments for these are prescription-only and fall outside a consumer product database. Not shown on the chart above.

Colored = scored    Grey = not applicable to this product

References

No references added yet.

Related — same routine step