This brand operates out of a literal Brooklyn apartment with a single employee — the founder, who answers DMs herself. That’s either insane or genius.
She sources a rare Swiss leaf (Bakuchiol, but not the cheap kind) and blends it in batches of 200 bottles. No warehouse. No marketing team. Just a woman and a pipette.
**Block 2: What You’re Actually Paying For** 🔍
$88 for 30ml. The claim: clinical retinol results without the irritation, using a plant extract that’s been tested against actual retinol in a peer-reviewed study.
1. **Bio-Retinol Complex** – Bakuchiol from a specific Swiss cultivar, not the generic Indian stuff most brands use
2. **Tripeptide-1** – The collagen signaler, not just a label decoration
3. **Squalane Base** – Absorbs in 11 seconds flat. No greasy wait time.
**Block 3: Ingredients That Actually Work** 🧪
Three actives, zero fragrance, one delivery system that makes the retinol alternative actually penetrate. The Swiss leaf is harvested at a specific altitude — her exact words were “the terroir matters.”
– Bakuchiol (Swiss): Smooths texture without peeling
– Matrixyl 3000: Fills lines over 8-12 weeks
– Squalane (sugar-derived): Hydration that doesn’t clog
– Vitamin E: Stability so the bottle lasts 6 months
**Block 4: The Texture Report** 📊
Watery-gel. Smells like nothing — literally nothing. Sinks in before you finish blinking. I put it on, reached for my water glass, and forgot I’d applied anything.
Week 2: My chin texture went from “sandpaper” to “normal human skin.” Unexpected win — my sunscreen stopped pilling. The retinol purge? Didn’t happen.
💡 **One Thing** – Apply to damp skin. The squalane spreads thinner, and you use half as much. Bottle lasts 4 months instead of 2.
**Block 5: The Honest Verdict** 📝
Fine lines around my mouth softened by about 30%. Pores? Still there, but smaller. The glow is real — like I slept 9 hours instead of 6.
✅ **Buy if** – You want retinol results but your skin throws tantrums with actual retinol
⏭️ **Skip if** – You have deep-set wrinkles and need prescription-strength
💰 **Worth it?** – For the texture improvement alone, yes. The anti-aging is a bonus.
**Block 6: Final Call** 💯
It’s the only retinol alternative I’ve used that doesn’t feel like a compromise. Results are slower than tretinoin, but your face won’t peel off.
**8.2/10** — Real results, no drama
🛍️ **Where to Buy** – Saro de Rue website only. Buy the travel size ($28) first — she ships same day from Brooklyn.