Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane

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Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment
Paula's Choice

Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment

vs
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
The Ordinary

The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane

LoveBar
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💕 LoveBar Verdict

Paula's Choice delivers stronger anti-aging results. The Ordinary is a gentler and much cheaper entry to retinol.

How They Compare

The things that actually matter 💅

✨ Glow Factor
Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment wins
💡 Paula's Choice visibly reduces lines and sun damage
🧪 Clean Check
Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment wins
💡 Paula's Choice retinol formula is more comprehensive
🧈 Skin Feel
Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment wins
💡 Paula's Choice cream base feels richer and more elegant
👌 No Fuss
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane wins
💡 The Ordinary squalane base is simpler and less drying
💸 Splurge or Save?
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane wins
💡 The Ordinary costs dramatically less for retinol benefits

Pick Your Side 💜

Which one stole your heart?

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Which One Is For You?

Two amazing products, two different vibes ✨

💙
The Serious Retinol User
Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment lover
  • You have used retinol before and want to level up
  • You want the most effective over-the-counter retinol
  • You do not mind investing in your anti-aging routine
💜
The Retinol Beginner
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane lover
  • You want to try retinol without a big financial risk
  • You prefer a gentler formula while your skin adjusts
  • You want a simple oil-based retinol you can ease into

The Full Story

LoveBar's deep-dive, written for humans 💕

Retinol is the closest thing skincare has to a magic ingredient, and these two make it accessible at very different price points. Paula's Choice Clinical Retinol Treatment is the serious option — it combines retinol with peptides and vitamin C in a cream base that attacks fine lines, sun damage, and uneven tone from multiple angles. The results are measurable, and people who commit to it see genuine transformation in their skin over months. The Ordinary Retinol in Squalane strips the concept down to its essence — retinol suspended in a nourishing oil, nothing fancy, nothing extra. It is gentle enough for beginners, and the squalane base actually helps reduce the dryness that retinol can cause. Paula's Choice is for the person who has graduated past beginner retinol and wants the strongest possible results without a prescription. The Ordinary is for the person who wants to see what retinol can do without spending much or risking heavy irritation. Both paths lead to better skin, just at different speeds and price points.