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How we build 0.5 Smoothing Retinol (Retinol 0.5)

The original, what makes it special, the shelf parts we use and how to get closer. Add or swap parts and the score updates.

05

The original · Obagi

0.5 Smoothing Retinol (Retinol 0.5)

$80 · 1 oz (28 g)

Retinol is held in a polymer that releases it slowly, which is meant to keep irritation down.

Official product page (opens in new tab)

Prices and listings checked Oct 28, 2026. Amazon prices change; the link shows today's price.

Step 2 · The build

No cheaper rebuild yet 4 parts

0.5% retinol + ceramide night lotion

  • Illustration of The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane

    The Ordinary

    The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane

    Retinol 0.5% (PM)

    ARetinol · 45DVitamin C, vitamin E and green tea · 3 of 10EShea butter and hyaluronic acid cream · 4 of 15
    $9.30View product (opens in new tab)

    Not an affiliate link.

  • Illustration of CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion

    CeraVe

    CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion

    Ceramide, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid moisturizer (PM, after retinol)

    EShea butter and hyaluronic acid cream · 11 of 15
    $14.99Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
  • Illustration of Paula's Choice CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment

    Paula's Choice

    CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment

    Adds: Bisabolol, licorice and chamomile; Vitamin C, vitamin E and green tea

    ARetinol · 45CBisabolol, licorice and chamomile · 11 of 15DVitamin C, vitamin E and green tea · 8 of 10EShea butter and hyaluronic acid cream · 8 of 15
    ~$65Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
  • Illustration of CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum

    CeraVe

    Resurfacing Retinol Serum

    Adds: Entrapped slow-release delivery

    ARetinol · 34 of 45BEntrapped slow-release delivery · 15CBisabolol, licorice and chamomile · 8 of 15EShea butter and hyaluronic acid cream · 11 of 15
    $21.99Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)

Partial credit means the part only partly matches that standout.

No cheaper rebuild yet. The closest match we found costs more than 0.5 Smoothing Retinol (Retinol 0.5), so we show no savings.

The 100 points

What stands out 100 pts

We split 0.5 Smoothing Retinol (Retinol 0.5) into 5 standout parts. Each bar shows what the build earns.

  • ARetinol45 of 45 pts

    The main active: speeds cell turnover to soften lines and smooth texture.

    Kafi 2007 · Arch DermatolDhaliwal 2019 · Br J Dermatol
  • BEntrapped slow-release delivery15 of 15 pts

    A polymer releases the retinol gradually, which is meant to reduce irritation.

  • CBisabolol, licorice and chamomile11 of 15 pts

    Calming agents that help skin tolerate retinol.

  • DVitamin C, vitamin E and green tea8 of 10 pts

    Small antioxidant support in the cream.

  • EShea butter and hyaluronic acid cream11 of 15 pts

    A cushioning, hydrating base for a nightly retinoid.

Optional

Get closer optional

90 / 100. One add-on lifts this build to 92/100.

Illustration of Timeless Skin Care Timeless 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid SerumIllustration

Add Timeless Skin Care Timeless 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum

Timeless Skin Care

+2 pts → 92/100 · +$27.95

DVitamin C, vitamin E and green tea · +2

Morning vitamin C and E serum for antioxidant cover.

$27.95Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)

With the add-on the build costs ~$139.23.

Step 3 · Buy

Buy the closest match

One link per part. Each opens the retailer in a new tab.

Skincare SuppliesOct 28, 2026

Closest match

  1. 01The OrdinaryThe Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane$9.30

    Running total $9.30

    View product (opens in new tab)

    Not an affiliate link.

  2. 02CeraVeCeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion$14.99

    Running total $24.29

    Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
  3. 03Paula's ChoiceCLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment~$65

    Running total ~$89.29

    Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
  4. 04CeraVeResurfacing Retinol Serum$21.99

    Running total ~$111.28

    Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
Build total~$111.28
The splurge$80
Match90/100
Costs more by$31.28

Snapshot prices. Each link shows today's price.

How to use

  1. Patch test any new active on the inner forearm or behind the ear for 24-48 hours first. PM only. Start 2-3 nights a week. Apply a few drops of retinol to dry skin, wait a minute, then the lotion. Use SPF 30+ every morning.
  2. Add Paula's Choice CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment: Retinol with the same licorice-derived soother, plus vitamin C ester, vitamin E and hyaluronic acid. It is the closest formula match but costs nearly as much as the Obagi. Its retinol is likely stronger, so start slowly.
  3. Add CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum: Encapsulated retinol is the same slow-release idea as Obagi's entrapped retinol. Ceramides and niacinamide make the base gentle. Retinol strength is not stated.

Other single-product swaps

One bottle instead of a build. Sorted by match score; scores use the same standouts as above.

mid Our pick

CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment

Paula's Choice

Match score 72 out of 100
~$65 Price not confirmed · 1 fl ozSave ~$15
What it shares, what it misses

Shares

  • Retinol
  • Dipotassium glycyrrhizate (licorice)
  • Sodium hyaluronate
  • Tocopheryl acetate
  • THD ascorbate (vitamin C)

Misses

  • Slow-release entrapment
  • Chamomile and calendula
  • Shea butter

Why it is close. Retinol with the same licorice-derived soother, plus vitamin C ester, vitamin E and hyaluronic acid. It is the closest formula match but costs nearly as much as the Obagi. Its retinol is likely stronger, so start slowly.

Ingredient list source

Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
budget

Resurfacing Retinol Serum

CeraVe

Match score 68 out of 100
$21.99 · 1 fl ozSave $58.01
What it shares, what it misses

Shares

  • Encapsulated retinol
  • Licorice root extract
  • Hyaluronic acid

Misses

  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin E
  • Chamomile and bisabolol

Why it is close. Encapsulated retinol is the same slow-release idea as Obagi's entrapped retinol. Ceramides and niacinamide make the base gentle. Retinol strength is not stated.

Ingredient list source

Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
budget

The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane

The Ordinary

Match score 52 out of 100
$9.30 · 1 fl oz (30 ml)
What it shares, what it misses

Shares

  • Retinol 0.5%

Misses

  • Slow-release entrapment
  • Soothing botanicals
  • Vitamin C
  • Hyaluronic acid

Why it is close. A stated 0.5% retinol for about a ninth of the price. The base is plain squalane and jojoba oil, with no slow-release system or soothing extras, so pair it with a moisturizer.

Ingredient list source

View product (opens in new tab)

Not an affiliate link.

What the science says

Full ingredient list

Show the INCI list

water (aqua), caprylic/capric triglyceride, glyceryl stearate, cyclopentasiloxane, butylene glycol, stearic acid, polysorbate 60, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, glycerin, stearyl alcohol, cyclohexasiloxane, dimethicone, retinol, calendula officinalis flower extract, camellia sinensis leaf extract, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract, dipotassium glycyrrhizate, sodium hyaluronate, tocopheryl acetate, bisabolol, ascorbic acid, carthamus tinctorius (safflower) seed oil, sorbitol, glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer, dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, allyl methacrylates crosspolymer, caprylyl glycol, ethylhexylglycerin, hexylene glycol, polysorbate 20, carbomer, disodium EDTA, triethanolamine, BHT, phenoxyethanol

Source

Questions

What does the 90/100 score for our 0.5 Smoothing Retinol (Retinol 0.5) build mean?

We split 0.5 Smoothing Retinol (Retinol 0.5) into 5 standout parts worth 100 points in total. The build earns 90 of a possible 100. A full 100 needs every standout fully covered.

What is the best dupe for 0.5 Smoothing Retinol (Retinol 0.5)?

CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment by Paula's Choice is our closest single-product match at 72 out of 100 for ~$65 (1 fl oz). It shares Retinol, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate (licorice), Sodium hyaluronate, Tocopheryl acetate, THD ascorbate (vitamin C).

How much can I save on 0.5 Smoothing Retinol (Retinol 0.5)?

0.5 Smoothing Retinol (Retinol 0.5) costs $80 for 1 oz (28 g). The closest dupe costs ~$65, a saving of about $15. Prices change, so check the seller page.

Is CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment exactly the same as 0.5 Smoothing Retinol (Retinol 0.5)?

No. Dupes share the key actives but can differ in concentration, vehicle and supporting ingredients. Missing from this one: Slow-release entrapment, Chamomile and calendula, Shea butter. See our methodology for how we score.

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