Day 1. I swapped my Rx tretinoin for Evolve Organic Beauty‘s Bio-Retinol Creme. Felt like a traitor to my derm.
By day 14, I wasn’t peeling. That never happens with my usual stuff.
£38 for 50ml. Claims to mimic retinol without the purge. I called BS — then bought it.
Bakuchiol Base
Plant-based retinol alternative. No redness, no flakes.
No Irritation Layer
Feels like a thick moisturiser, not a treatment. Weirdly calming.
Fast Absorption
Sinks in under 20 seconds. No waiting 30 mins like with tret.
Photo: ibnu ihza / Unsplash
It’s not a chemical cocktail. Four main players, all doing actual work. No filler fluff.
- Bakuchiol: Smooths lines without peeling your face off
- Rosehip Oil: Fades dark spots, smells like a garden
- Vitamin C: Brightens. Actually stable here, not oxidized
- Aloe Vera: Calms everything down so you don’t freak out
Photo: Content Pixie / Unsplash
Thick. Buttery. Smells like a fancy herbal tea. Absorbs fast — no sticky film left behind.
Week 3 hit and my chin broke out. Not a purge — just a tiny hormonal zit. Then it vanished in 2 days. Tret would’ve taken a week.
Photo: yunona uritsky / Unsplash
Fine lines around my eyes softened. Pores didn’t shrink — but they looked cleaner. Same dark spot on my cheek is still there, just less rude.
Photo: Alexandra Tran / Unsplash
It won’t replace heavy-duty retinol for everyone. But for daily use without drama? This wins.