Image: cosrx.com
COSRX
The Retinol 0.5 Oil
A face oil built around Retinoid, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
USD 27.00 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · on the brand's site
From the brand
What the brand says about this product. Our ingredient analysis follows below.
The brand recommends it for
- Oily skin
- Sensitive skin
- Dark spots & pigmentation
- Fine lines & wrinkles
- Dryness & dehydration
- Large pores
- Uneven texture
- Oiliness & shine
How to use
Apply a small amount to clean, dry skin at night. Put one or two drops on your hand. Tap with it your fingers and gently massage into face, avoiding eyes and lips. Follow with moisturizer. Initially use 2–3 times a week, gradually increasing frequency to once a day, after 3 weeks, after building tolerance. Apply sunscreen during daytime. *Patch test recommended before facial use.
What's inside
Ingredients List
4 trigger at least one check · 6 trigger none
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Retinoid
- Acne Fighting
- Anti-Aging
- Dark Spots
- Firming
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Smoothing
- Vitamin E
- Anti-Pollution
- Antioxidant
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Hydrating3
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Barrier Repair6
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Di-C12-13 Alkyl Malate, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Squalane, Tocopherol
Smoothing5
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Di-C12-13 Alkyl Malate, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Glycine Soja Oil, Retinol, Squalane
Concerns
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Di-C12-13 Alkyl Malate, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Glycine Soja Oil
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
May Worsen Oily Skin3
May increase shine or excess oil.
Ingredients Explained
Click on any ingredient to learn more about it
Squalane
Hair Conditioning, Refatting, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Squalane is a face oil.
Learn more about Squalane →Glycine Soja Oil
Perfuming, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Glycine Soja Oil isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Glycine Soja Oil →Di-C12-13 Alkyl Malate
Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Di-C12-13 Alkyl Malate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Di-C12-13 Alkyl Malate →Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Retinol is a retinoid.
Learn more about Retinol →Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Fragrance, Perfuming, Occlusive, Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is the mixed triester of glycerin and caprylic and capric acids.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride →BHT
Antioxidant, Fragrance
BHT is a substituted toluene that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about BHT →Tocotrienols
Oral Care, Skin Conditioning, UV Absorber
Tocotrienol
Learn more about Tocotrienols →Tocopherol
Antioxidant, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Occlusive
Tocopherol is vitamin E.
Learn more about Tocopherol →Elaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Elaeis Guineensis Oil isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Elaeis Guineensis Oil →Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone is the organic compound
Learn more about Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone →