NakedPoppy slapped “100% clean” on this serum like it’s a fact. It’s not — there’s a sneaky synthetic in here that would make their own ingredient algorithm blush.
The culprit? Pentylene Glycol. It’s a petroleum-derived solvent hiding behind a plant-based “derived from sugarcane” label. Technically clean-ish, but it’s the kind of processed gray-area ingredient their whole brand purports to screen out.
It’s a lightweight gel serum, $54 for 1 oz. The marketing hook is “skin reset” — basically a gentler retinol alternative for people who can’t handle the real stuff.
Bakuchiol Base
Plant-based retinol dupe that’s actually decent — no peeling, just slow results.
Peptide Stack
Three peptides that feel like they do *something* but won’t transform you overnight.
No Fragrance, No Dyes
Smells like nothing, which is refreshing after using stuff that smells like a spa’s fever dream.
Photo: ibnu ihza / Unsplash
The label lists bakuchiol, squalane, and niacinamide as the stars. All fine. All boring. But the real workhorse is a phytic acid complex that gently exfoliates without that stingy burn.
- Bakuchiol: Smooths skin without the purge phase
- Niacinamide: Calms redness and fades dark spots slowly
- Squalane: Locks in moisture without greasy residue
- Phytic Acid: Chemical exfoliant that’s actually gentle
Photo: Amanda Wolbert / Unsplash
Texture is a watery gel that sinks in about 20 seconds — no tacky film, no silicone slip. Feels like you just splashed cold water on your face, but better.
Week 2: My chin texture flattened out, but I also got one random tiny whitehead on my cheek. That never happens. Could be the phytic acid purging, could be my pillowcase. I’m not mad — just confused.
Photo: Evangeline Sarney / Unsplash
Measurable results: my pores look smaller (not smaller — *look* smaller), and my forehead lines are slightly less angry. A sunspot on my cheek hasn’t budged. So, partial win.
Photo: averie woodard / Unsplash
It’s a solid serum that does what it says — just don’t buy the “100% clean” fairy tale. That label is marketing, not chemistry.