// This post contains affiliate links. You can read my full disclaimer here
Biossance, still a relatively small brand in the skincare world but it’s definitely making its mark steadily. This is a cruelty-free, vegans friendly brand with a lot of emphasis on sustainability from sourcing renewable ingredients to conscious packaging. They sit in the ‘clean beauty’ section in Sephora. Now, as I mentioned in previous posts, I’d like to look at products on their own merits such as their formulations and most importantly how they perform on my skin, irrespective of their ‘clean’ label. If I like them and they’re ‘clean’, then great but know that ‘clean’ doesn’t earn an extra point in my evaluation or as a prerequisite. What makes Biossance interesting is that they were originally a biotechnology company in their Berkeley labs and they turned their innovative technology into skincare. It is science meets sustainable beauty, yes, I can get on board with that.
For Biossance, their primary ingredient in all of their products focuses on the use of Squalane which they source from sugar cane, a much more sustainable source (other than sourcing from sharks or olives). Today, I’m here to talk about their Squalane +Phyto-Retinol Serum, a product that’s gained popularity because of Bakuchiol, a trendy ingredient that’s claimed to have a similar effect as Retinol without side effects, so that’s good news for those with sensitive skin or find retinol to be drying and irritating.
What is it?
Anti-aging serum.
What it does
Targets fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage using key ingredients such as:
- Bakuchiol: A plant-derived alternative to retinol, targets the look of fine lines and wrinkles but without any irritations associated with it. It can upregulate collagen production in a very similar way as Retinol. Not only it has anti-aging property, it also has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumour and anti-bacterial benefits, so it’s very good for acne treatment.
- Niacinamide: This superstar ingredient has anti-aging, wrinkle-smoothing, anti-acne and skin-brightening properties. It also helps to repair the skin barriers and speed up wound healing. I’ve already covered the functions of Niacinamide quite extensively in this post, check it out.
- Hyaluronic Acid: This water-retaining, molecules helps to plump and hydrate the skin. More on hyaluronic acid, check out this post.
- Squalane: Naturally occurs in the sebum of human skin, it’s a superb moisturiser that makes your skin nice and smooth without being heavy or greasy. It’s also very compatible with all skin types and conditions including acne-prone skin.
Full Ingredients list
Water/Aqua, Squalane, Niacinamide, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Bakuchiol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Peel Oil, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Yeast Extract, Soy Amino Acids, Lecithin, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citric Acid, Linalool, Geraniol, Limonene
We have a few fragrance ingredients as highlighted in Bold, they are potential allergens and if you are sensitive to those, then best be cautious.
It is formulated without Artificial Fragrance, Parabens and PEG
Who’s it for
Suitable for all skin types.
Everything else
Packaging
This comes in a recyclable glass bottle with a pump. The outer cartons are made from sugarcane paperboard. This sugarcane paperboard material is made from 100% pure sugarcane bagasse and uses no bleaching chemicals or dyes. It’s also tree-free, completely recyclable, and from a rapid renewable resource. No metallic inks or dyes are used in their process on the packaging, so the recyclability of components are not affected.
Colour, Texture & Scent
The texture of this off-white serum is very lightweight, it feels more like a light creamy lotion than most serums suspended in silicones. It absorbs very quickly onto the skin, feel very comfortable and hydrating. I don’t have any issues with this being layered with other products in my routine.
This serum reminds me of Tata Harper’s Rejuvenating serum in its texture and absorbability, while Tata’s serum has a very strong floral garden smell, this one has green plants kind of smell, not floral and it’s not as overpowering nor it lingers too long.
How to use it
Massage 1-2 pumps of the squalane serum onto clean face and neck, morning and night.
Biossance instruction
I use this in the evenings after cleanse and tone, sometimes after hyaluronic acid as well, then I put this serum on, followed by my usual moisturiser. Typically, I go for 1 and 1/2 pump, to be honest, 1 pump is enough because it dispenses a good decent amount each pump but I just love the texture so I’m a little greedy.
My thoughts and experience
I purchased this when my skin was quite sensitive, and I wasn’t able to use retinol regularly. The idea of having a retinol alternative really appealed to me. So, I’d use this in place of retinol on nights that I was supposed to use retinol but found my skin a little too vulnerable for that. Maybe, in the beginning, I’d use it about 3 times a week at the most. Now my skin is doing a lot better, I’m not using this serum as much anymore, maybe down to once a week or every 2 weeks, again on nights when I just couldn’t use normal retinol. Some nights I mix this with my retinol which is a great combo as it complements one another very well. Bakuchiol has a natural stabilising effect on vitamin A and it can improve skin’s tolerance to various strengths of retinol.
Because of my usage pattern, I can’t be the judge for any anti-aging claims as it wouldn’t be fair for me to say either way. What I can say is that this has not caused any irritations to my skin, it feels very hydrating and comfortable on the skin. Nevertheless, I enjoy using this product and would recommend to anyone who has sensitive skin or can’t tolerate Retinol use even though it doesn’t work exactly like a vitamin A ingredient, it’s still a good alternative.
Available: £61/30ml
Have you tried this before? What is your experience?