Swapped my prescription retinoid for HaruHaru Wonder’s Black Rice Bakuchiol Serum. 30 days. No purge. No peeling. My skin didn’t even know I switched—until it did.
Day 10 I woke up and my nose pores looked… smaller? That never happens with retinol. It’s like the serum slipped in while my skin wasn’t looking.
It’s a milky, lightweight serum that runs about $22 for 30ml. The brand claims it smooths texture and fades dark spots without the retinol drama. I called BS. Then I tried it.
Black Rice Extract
Fermented and potent—hydrates deeper than your average toner.
Bakuchiol 2%
The plant-based retinol dupe. No redness, no flaking, no crying in the mirror.
Niacinamide + Squalane
Brightens while sealing in moisture. My dry patches didn’t stand a chance.
Photo: Content Pixie / Unsplash
This isn’t a one-trick pony. The formula stacks actives like a pro—bakuchiol for collagen, rice for barrier repair, and a touch of licorice root to calm redness. No fragrance, no nonsense.
- Bakuchiol: Boosts cell turnover without peeling your face off
- Black Rice Ferment: Hydrates + evens tone
- Niacinamide: Shrinks pores, fades PIH
- Licorice Root: Anti-inflammatory—goodbye random redness
Photo: Rosa Rafael / Unsplash
Watery but not runny. Absorbs in 8 seconds flat. No sticky film—just that “I just did skincare” glow. First two days I was skeptical. Too gentle. Where’s the sting?
Week 3 hit. My forehead texture—those tiny bumps I’ve had since 2019—just… flattened. Felt like I sanded my skin with a cloud.
Photo: Poko Skincare / Unsplash
Dark spots on my cheek faded by about 40%. Pores around my nose tightened. But my deep smile lines? Still there. This isn’t Botox in a bottle, it’s a gentle nudge.
This serum won’t rewrite your face. But it will make your skin act right—no drama, no price tag that hurts. I’m keeping it in rotation even when my retinol comes back.