Sent this “98% natural” serum to a lab because I don’t trust marketing math. Turns out the 2% they don’t talk about is the part doing all the heavy lifting.
The formula is basically a botanical smoothie with a splash of synthetic stabilizers — and that splash is why it doesn’t turn into chunky yogurt in your cabinet.
It’s a 30ml dropper bottle, $28, and technically a concentrate you’re supposed to mix into moisturizer. The brand calls it “clean” — which means nothing legally, but they lean hard on the natural percentage.
Bakuchiol 1%
Plant-based retinol alternative — less irritation, but also slower results than the real thing
Squalane Base
Featherlight — absorbs in 10 seconds, no greasy film on my pillowcase
The 2% Synthetic
Preservatives and emulsifiers — the boring stuff that stops bacteria from growing in your bathroom
Photo: Look Studio / Unsplash
Bakuchiol is the star — it’s a pea plant extract that mimics retinol without the peeling. But here’s the thing nobody mentions: it’s fragile. It degrades in light and air, which is why the dropper bottle feels premium but is honestly the worst packaging choice for this ingredient.
- Bakuchiol: smoother texture over 6-8 weeks, not 2
- Squalane: hydrating base that won’t clog pores
- Glycerin: humectant that pulls water into skin
- Tocopherol: vitamin E to keep the formula from oxidizing
Photo: Kaeme / Unsplash
Thin, slippery, almost watery — I did a double take because I expected something creamier. It sinks in before I finish blinking, which is great for layering but makes me wonder if it’s actually staying on my skin.
Week two: I noticed my forehead felt smoother, not dramatically, but like the texture had been sanded down one pass. No breakouts, no irritation — but also no glow. It’s the boring friend who always shows up, never causes drama.
Photo: Harper Sunday / Unsplash
Fine lines around my eyes look slightly softer at week 4. My pores didn’t change. My dark spots are still there, just less angry. It’s a maintenance product, not a transformation — set your expectations accordingly.
Photo: Mockup Free / Unsplash
It’s clean in the way a salad is clean — healthy, but nobody’s craving it. The “98% natural” framing is technically true and deeply boring; the formula is solid, the results are subtle, and you could do worse.