The Ordinary Retinol vs Professional-Strength Encapsulated Retinol: What Actually Differs

Retinol is the most evidence-backed anti-ageing ingredient available without a prescription. It is also the one most people quit within a month, usually because they started too strong, too often, with a formula their skin was never going to tolerate.

If you are comparing The Ordinary's retinol range against professional-strength or cosmeceutical options, the percentage on the front of the bottle is the least useful number to compare. Here is what actually differs.

Why retinol percentages are not comparable between brands

A 0.5% retinol from one brand and a 0.5% retinol from another can behave completely differently. Three variables explain most of the gap:

• Encapsulation. Free retinol is unstable and degrades on exposure to air and light. It also hits the skin all at once, which is what causes the classic retinol "purge" — peeling, redness, tightness. Encapsulated retinol is held inside a carrier that releases it gradually. Same percentage on paper; a very different experience on skin.
• The base formula. Retinol suspended in an oil base behaves differently to retinol in a water-based serum with supporting humectants. Squalane-based formulations (The Ordinary's approach) buffer irritation but can feel heavy and are less suitable for congested skin.
• Packaging. Retinol degrades with light and oxygen exposure, exactly like vitamin C. A dropper bottle that is opened daily for six months is not delivering the same product on day 180 as on day one.

What The Ordinary offers

The Ordinary runs several retinoid lines, and they are genuinely well-formulated for the price:

• Retinol in Squalane (0.2%, 0.5%, 1%) — free (non-encapsulated) retinol in a squalane base. Around $12–18 AUD for 30 mL. Effective, but the higher percentages are notoriously irritating for beginners.
• Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion — uses hydroxypinacolone retinoate, a retinoic acid ester. Reported as gentler than equivalent retinol, and a reasonable entry point.

The honest summary: at this price, The Ordinary is excellent value for finding out whether your skin tolerates retinoids at all. The trade-offs are cosmetic elegance, stability over the life of the bottle, and irritation control at higher strengths.

What professional-strength encapsulated retinol changes

This is our product, so read it with that in mind.

TRIPLE A PM Anti-Age Retinol 0.5% is an encapsulated retinol at $119 AUD for 20 mL, formulated and made in Australia, 100% vegan and fragrance-free. Two structural differences from a free-retinol squalane formula:

• Encapsulation releases the retinol gradually rather than all at once. In practice this means most people can build to nightly use faster, with less of the peeling phase that causes people to abandon retinol entirely.
• Airless syringe packaging means no air or UV exposure between applications, so the last dose is as active as the first — which matters more for retinol than almost any other ingredient. A few pumps per night means 20 mL typically lasts around three months.

What you are not getting for the extra spend: a fundamentally different molecule. It is still retinol. If your skin already tolerates The Ordinary's 0.5% and you are happy with the results, there is no compelling reason to switch.

Side-by-side

	The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane	TRIPLE A PM Anti-Age Retinol 0.5%
Active	Retinol (free)	Retinol (encapsulated)
Concentration	0.5%	0.5%
Base	Squalane (oil)	Serum with squalane, jojoba and rosehip oil
Size	30 mL	20 mL
Approx. RRP (AUD)	~$12–18	$119
Packaging	Glass dropper	Airless syringe
Typical irritation	Higher — slower build-up advised	Lower — gradual release
Made in	Canada	Australia

Prices are approximate RRP at time of writing (August 2026) and change frequently.

How to actually start retinol without quitting

This matters more than which brand you buy.

1. Start twice a week. Not nightly. Two applications in week one, three in week two, four in week three, building from there. Most people who fail with retinol started nightly.
2. Night only. Retinol degrades in sunlight and increases photosensitivity.
3. Apply to dry skin. Damp skin increases penetration and irritation.
4. Sunscreen is non-negotiable. You are accelerating cell turnover; new skin burns more easily.
5. Do not stack actives while adjusting. Introduce one at a time. Vitamin C in the morning, retinol at night is the standard split.
6. Give it 12 weeks. Texture and tone changes take a full skin cycle or three. Judging retinol at four weeks is judging the adjustment phase, not the result.

Who should not use retinol

Retinol is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If that applies to you, Hydrating Hyaluronic 97% and AM Brightening C 20% are the two serums we recommend instead. If you have active rosacea or eczema, speak to a dermatologist before starting any retinoid.

Where to go next

If you want an encapsulated Australian-made retinol, PM Anti-Age Retinol 0.5% is $119 for 20 mL with complimentary shipping across Australia. See the full anti-ageing range.

If you are building a routine rather than buying one product, the Bundle Pack is 25% off and pairs retinol with vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and eye serum — which is how retinol is meant to be used, alongside hydration and daytime antioxidant support rather than on its own.

Questions about where to start for your age or skin type? Our FAQ covers it, or get in touch.

This article is general information, not personalised skincare or medical advice. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a diagnosed skin condition or use prescription topicals, consult your dermatologist or GP first.