SkinMedica Retinol Complex 0.5

Product Overview

Create smoother skin with SkinMedica Retinol Complex 0.5.

Adding a retinol product to your skin care routine will help encourage new, healthier skin cells to appear for a brighter and more youthful complexion. SkinMedica Retinol Complex 0.5 is a retinol product that helps keep your complexion healthy. The formula exfoliates skin which encourages new skin cells to appear resulting in less noticeable fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots. Retinol also creates a smoother texture and clearer tone. The formula contains antioxidants that defend against free radicals and soothing ingredients that help prevent irritation, flaking and redness. You can use this anti-aging serum at night to rejuvenate an aging or dull complexion.

0.5% retinol improves cell turnover and fades fine lines and dark spots
Antioxidants neutralize free radicals to prevent signs of aging
Bisabolol soothes the complexion to calm irritation and inflammation

Target fine lines and wrinkles as well as other signs of aging by adding SkinMedica Retinol Complex 0.5 to your skin care routine.

Highlights

Paraben-free
Encourages cell turnover
Fades fine lines and wrinkles

Ingredients

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Product Specifications

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About the Brand

Featured In

Customer Reviews (335)

Overall Rating

4.7

Based on 335 reviews

Review Summary

5 Stars

275

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335 Reviews

LovelySkin Customer

from Georgia

Age Group: 40-49

Normal Skin

Verified Purchase

January 30, 2026

Very strong- start slowly

I have been using retinol formulas for several years so I jumped right in applying this nightly for about 4 to 5 days. My face then got extremely irritated, peeling and burning sensation for about a week after. I have not begun to use it again but when I do I will only start with every couple days.

0 people found this helpful

ImNotOld

from Florida

Age Group: 60-69

Coily, Dry Hair

Mature Skin

Verified Purchase

January 04, 2026

Perfect concentration

I was using a combination of 1% and .25% retinol. The higher dose was too much for my skin and I would develop peeling and redness. I thought that the .25 was not enough. I am so happy with the .5%. Perfect concentration for efficacy without negative effects!

1 person found this helpful

LouiseIP

Verified Purchase

December 31, 2025

love it!

I look at myself in a mirror and see a woman 15 years younger only a few days after I started to use this cream - all the stains on my face are gone just in 2 days!

0 people found this helpful

LovelySkin Customer

Verified Purchase

December 29, 2025

No irritation

Lightens dark spots on skin with no irritation on sensitive skin.. Really nice alternative to other retinol products.

0 people found this helpful

LovelySkin Customer

from California

Verified Purchase

December 27, 2025

Retinol 0.5

I have been using the Retinol Complex 0.5 for a month now, started with the backs of my hands. Immediately they felt softer and lines not as noticeable! Now using on my face, neck and chest. I spend alot of time outdoors but with sunscreen this could be my reverse aging treatment !

0 people found this helpful

LovelySkin Customer

from Florida

Age Group: 60-69

Combination Skin

Verified Purchase

November 29, 2025

Perfect strength

Skinmedica 0.5 retinol has been a game changer for me and fine lines and wrinkles. I started with the 0.25 strength and until my skin became accustomed to it I just continued and now a year later I’m at the 0.5 level which is in the middle. Regularly every other day I use it and my skin looks amazing.

0 people found this helpful

LAR1962

from Colorado

Age Group: 60-69

Straight, Dry Hair

Mature Skin

Verified Purchase

November 12, 2025

Great product

Love this product - it is the perfect strength for my skin. I initially purchased the 1.0 product , but it proved too strong for my aging skin. I have done retinol products for years and am very happy with the .5 complex

1 person found this helpful

LovelySkin Customer

from Iowa

Age Group: 50-59

Verified Purchase

October 22, 2025

Will keep using

I've purchased different strengths of this line of retinol, and this 0.5 strength is tolerable when you are trying to gradually increase to the next strength. It goes on smoothly and the amount used is small to show the benefits.

1 person found this helpful

LovelySkin Customer

Age Group: 60-69

Wavy Hair

Mature Skin

Verified Purchase

September 23, 2025

Great Retinol Product

I just increased my retinol from SkinMedica .25 to .5, and it is working well. I was using the .25 every night with no issues and my skin looked better than ever, so I decided it was time to step it up a notch. So far my skin looks great and I have had no irritation. I highly recommend this retinol treatment!!!

1 person found this helpful

LovelySkin Customer

from Colorado

Verified Purchase

September 10, 2025

Does not burn

Gentle on skin. Use as directions prescribed. I love skin medica everything. Good line that does not irritate my sensitive skin

0 people found this helpful

LovelySkin Customer

Age Group: 70-79

Mature Skin

Verified Purchase

August 17, 2025

Love SkinMedica

Started with 0.25 and am now using the 0.5. Working my way up from one to 2 times per week. Great product.

0 people found this helpful

LovelySkin Customer

from Tennessee

Verified Purchase

August 08, 2025

SkinMedica Retinol Complex 0.5

SkinMedica products are fantastic and the Retinol Complex 0.5 follows suit. It smooths on nicely and doesn't cause excessive dryness. I use it every night and it keeps my skin feeling hydrated and looking bright. It's a great retinol product.

1 person found this helpful

GabrielaP

Verified Purchase

August 05, 2025

Hit !

SkinMedica products are a hit or miss for my skin. Thankfully, this was a hit! I love the way it feels and how easily it spreads. It doesn't burn and after the product finishes, I will purchase the 1.0

0 people found this helpful

Orli

Verified Purchase

August 01, 2025

Love this retinol product!

I usually order 1.0 and ordered 0.5 by mistake, but I still like it and will remember to be more careful when ordering next time.

1 person found this helpful

AmyJ

from Texas

Age Group: 60-69

Verified Purchase

August 01, 2025

So far so good

I ordered this because I ran out of my Rx Tretinoin. I went with the 0.5 because I previously used the .1 and it irritated my skin. So far good..I've only been using for about 2 weeks but no dryness or irritation. It does burn slightly but it dissipates quickly. I use several Skin Medica products.

3 people found this helpful

LovelySkin Customer

from Washington

Age Group: 60-69

Curly, Dry Hair

Mature Skin

Verified Purchase

July 26, 2025

Good Retinol complex

Been using for a few weeks. It doesn’t dry out my skin or cause irritation as much as others I’ve tried. It’s too soon to see results, but so far, this is the best I’ve tried yet!

0 people found this helpful

iggggg

from California

Verified Purchase

July 20, 2025

go to retinol!

this is my go to retinol, it isn't too harsh on my face. i moved up from .25 to .50 and there was a slight adjustment period but it wasn't bad at all! would recommend!

1 person found this helpful

LovelySkin Customer

Verified Purchase

June 03, 2025

Next step up retinol

This is the next step up for me from the .25, which I've used for quite a while without any dryness or flaking. I have sensitive skin so I am always reluctant to use too strong of a product. I tried it full strength, in a small amount, and did get some minor flaking around my chin, nothing terrible. Trying to apply every other night or twice a week if I feel it's too strong. I also tried mixing some of the .25 with the .5 thinking it is a bridge between the two as I get acclimated to it. It is a great retinol though, not greasy, gel-like, sinks right in and dries down fast. I am putting on my HA5 hydra collagen after it. So far so good...slow going.

1 person found this helpful

LovelySkin Customer

Verified Purchase

May 02, 2025

Most Effective Retinol!

After trying several different brands of retinol, I tried Skin Medica and have never looked back. Skin Medica's combination of ingredients keeps my skin from drying out and flaking while delivering wrinkle reducing retinol. I have used the 1% for several years but now find it a bit too strong for my aging, thin skin. I'm 77 years old. I now use the .5% daily year-round. It's perfect for me. I highly recommend the Skin Medica brand of retinol complex.

0 people found this helpful

LovelySkin Customer

Verified Purchase

April 26, 2025

Not sure

I'm just not sure this is worth it. It seems as though you need to use a lot to cover your face and it says one pump. I think for the price, there's nicer products out there.

1 person found this helpful

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SkinMedica Retinol Complex 0.5

Product Overview

Highlights

Ingredients

Directions

Shipping & Returns

Questions & Answers (2)

Product Specifications

Special Offers

About the Brand

Featured In

Customer Reviews (335)

Overall Rating

Review Summary

Write a Review

Very strong- start slowly

Perfect concentration

love it!

No irritation

Retinol 0.5

Perfect strength

Great product

Will keep using

Great Retinol Product

Does not burn

Love SkinMedica

SkinMedica Retinol Complex 0.5

Hit !

Love this retinol product!

So far so good

Good Retinol complex

go to retinol!

Next step up retinol

Most Effective Retinol!

Not sure

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