Quick answer: the closest match for The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane is the COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil: it matches every key treatment active (Retinol). Same price tier (Budget), so this is an alternative rather than a saving.
The contextWhy look for a Retinol 1% in Squalane dupe?
The advanced-strength option in The Ordinary's retinol ladder — oil-based, no water, stable. For users who've already tolerated 0.2% and 0.5% and are ready to escalate. Expect visible purging and dryness in the first 2–4 weeks; pair with a barrier-supporting moisturiser and strict AM SPF.
A good dupe isn't about a matching label — it's about matching the hero actives, the ingredients carrying the real work. For this serum that means Retinol. The alternatives below are ranked by how many of those they match, then by price.
The matchesClosest alternatives
★ Closest match1 of 1
hero active matched
BudgetRetinol
Why it works: Matches every key treatment active in the original: Retinol.
What's different: Same price tier (Budget), so this is an alternative rather than a saving.
Full ingredient analysis → 1 of 1
hero active matched
BudgetRetinol
Why it works: Matches every key treatment active in the original: Retinol.
What's different: Same price tier (Budget), so this is an alternative rather than a saving. It also adds Niacinamide and Licorice Root.
Full ingredient analysis →1 of 1
hero active matched
BudgetRetinol
Why it works: Matches every key treatment active in the original: Retinol.
What's different: Same price tier (Budget), so this is an alternative rather than a saving.
Full ingredient analysis →1 of 1
hero active matched
BudgetRetinol
Why it works: Matches every key treatment active in the original: Retinol.
What's different: Same price tier (Budget), so this is an alternative rather than a saving. It also adds Retinyl Retinoate.
Full ingredient analysis →Common questions
What is the best dupe for The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane?
The closest match for The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane is the COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil: it matches every key treatment active (Retinol). Same price tier (Budget), so this is an alternative rather than a saving.
Are Retinol 1% in Squalane dupes really as good as the original?
A dupe matches the hero actives — the ingredients doing the measurable work — but rarely the full sensory experience. Texture, fragrance, supporting ingredients and exact concentrations differ, so treat a dupe as a value-led alternative rather than an identical copy.
How does Skin Stacker choose Retinol 1% in Squalane dupes?
We look at products in the same category (serum) that share at least one of its hero actives (Retinol), rank them by how many of its key treatment actives they match, then by price. Matches are based on published ingredient lists, not lab testing.
Compare them yourself
Head-to-headCompare this with…
Same-category picks that share at least one hero active — see ingredients, price and who each suits, side by side.
Showing the 6 closest of 8 comparisons.
Browse every comparison →Skin Stacker is independent and receives no payment from any brand. "Dupe" matches are based on publicly disclosed INCI lists and shared hero actives — not on side-by-side lab testing. A shared active profile does not guarantee an identical experience: texture, fragrance, supporting ingredients and concentrations all differ. Formulations change — always re-check the current label before buying.