Retinol Alternative Serum

A retinol alternative serum for all skin types, for when you want to work on fine lines, uneven texture and dark spots without using retinol. It contains no retinol, and you can use it morning, evening or both.

The retinol alternative is Bidens pilosa extract, a plant extract used in skincare as a gentle alternative to retinol. It sits ahead of the fragrance in the upper half of the ingredient list and helps skin look smoother and fine lines look softer. Aloe leaf juice takes the place of water as the first ingredient, followed by glycerin and jojoba oil. Murumuru butter, mango butter and cottonseed, linseed and rosehip oils keep skin feeling soft. Sea buckthorn and rose myrtle fruit extracts and vitamin E add antioxidant support, and two forms of hyaluronic acid appear near the end.

Apply a few drops to a cleansed face, morning and/or evening, then follow with a moisturiser such as the Retinol Alternative Moisturiser, which also contains Bidens pilosa extract. The formula includes a little lactic acid, so wear sunscreen during the day. It contains fragrance (parfum and geranium oil, with geraniol, citronellol, linalool and citral), so patch-test first if your skin reacts easily. Looking for bakuchiol? That is in the Natural Retinol Alternative Oil Serum, not this one.