Looking for natural alternatives to retinol? Check out these 5 options that can help you achieve glowing skin without harsh chemicals.
What is retinol and is it natural?
We'll let our friends at UpCircle Beauty answer this one as they've summed it up perfectly:
"Retinol is a natural form of vitamin A that can be both found in nature or created synthetically in a laboratory. Retinol can also be found in animal products such as liver or dairy products. Retinol found in skincare products can be derived from nature or produced synthetically, but is rarely derived from animal products.
As retinol is a natural form of the vitamin A, strictly speaking, all forms of retinol are natural. However, some retinol products will then have non-natural components added to the formula. The term natural retinol often refers to retinol that is not produced synthetically or derived from animal products, rather being derived from plant sources."
Retinol is a popular ingredient in many skincare products, but it can cause irritation and sensitivity for some people. If you're looking for a natural alternative to retinol, there are several options that can help you achieve healthy, glowing skin without harsh chemicals. Here are five natural alternatives to retinol to consider.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can help brighten and even out skin tone, while also promoting collagen production for firmer, smoother skin. It can be found in many fruits and vegetables, such as oranges, kiwis, strawberries, and bell peppers. You can also find ingredients that are naturally high in vitamin C in our serums and creams which can be applied topically for added benefits, like Casa Mencarelli's Sea Buckthorn Serum. Vitamin A and E is also naturally present in sea buckthorn to smooth and hydrate the skin and there's also 15 times more vitamin C than in oranges making it a great all round natural skincare ingredient.
You'll also see an ingredient called ascorbic acid which is a synthesised form of Vitamin C. Whilst it's not completely natural, it's made in a lab to be nature identical, often derived from corn starch. UpCircle Beauty's Peptide Serum contains ascorbic acid, plus niacinamide and peptides to which is a strong trio for skin barrier resilience, texture, brightness and pigmentation. You can learn more about Vitamin C natural skincare here
Rosehip Oil
Rosehip oil is another natural alternative to retinol that's naturally packed with vitamin A to help achieve glowing skin. It is rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids, which can help improve skin texture and tone, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and even out skin tone and scars. Rosehip oil is also non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores, making it a great option for those with acne-prone skin. To use, apply a few drops of rosehip oil to your face and neck after cleansing and toning, and before moisturising. Rosehip has long been nature's answer to vitamin A and retinol so we have plenty of products to choose from but our most popular with our customers are Lyonsleaf's Soften and Rejuvenate Facial Oil which is best for sensitive skin and Odylique's Superfruit Concentrate which also contains sea buckthorn oil.
Green Tea Extract
Green tea extract is a natural alternative to retinol that is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. It can help reduce inflammation and redness, improve skin texture and tone, and even out skin discolouration. Green tea extract also contains caffeine, which can help reduce puffiness and dark circles under the eyes. InLight Beauty's Under Eye Revive contains both green tea and green coffee extract to really target lines, pigmentation and dullness around the eyes.
Aloe Vera
Most people know aloe vera for its cooling and soothing properties but aloe vera is a popular natural alternative to retinol that has been used for centuries to regenerate and heal the skin. It contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation, hydrate the skin, and promote healing. Aloe vera can be used in a variety of ways, including as a moisturiser, face mask, or spot treatment for acne. Look for skincare products that contain a high percentage of aloe vera like Odylique's Timeless Rose Moisturiser which is ideal for rosacea-prone skin still wanting a moisturiser to aid ageing skin or UpCircle Beauty's Face Moisturiser which is ideal for combination skin types, or if you don't like that heavy feeling you get from some face creams.
Bakuchiol
Bakuchiol is a natural, plant-based alternative to retinol that has been gaining popularity in the skincare world. It is derived from the seeds of the babchi plant and has been shown to have similar anti-aging benefits to retinol, such as reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and redness and improving skin texture and tone. However, unlike retinol, bakuchiol is gentle on the skin and does not cause irritation or sensitivity to sunlight. At the moment we don't have any products containing bakuchiol but InLight Beauty are currently developing one so watch this space.
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