8 Best Botanic Retinol Serums for Anti-Aging

• What Does Botanic Retinol Serum Do?

Botanic Retinol Serum is an inventive alternative to synthetic retinol that mimics retinol’s mechanisms of action. It exhibits properties akin to retinol, offering enhanced collagen synthesis, improved skin texture and diminished signs of ageing—think reduced fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation spots.

• Bio-Retinol vs. Retinol

The main difference is the formula. Retinol is a vitamin A derivative and is arguably one of the most effective anti-aging skincare ingredients you can use in your routine. The problem is that it's much harsher than other skincare ingredients on the market. It takes time for your skin to adjust to adding retinol into your routine. The adjustment period can be as short as a few weeks or as long as a few months, depending on the formula.

Bio-retinol has similar effects as pure retinol but contains plant extracts rather than vitamin A. Both products will help with cell turnover, anti-aging, and skin repair. But it is a less harsh version of retinol and doesn't have a long adjustment period you need to worry about. The botanicals used in most formulas are gentle and won't harm your skin or cause irritation.

So the botanic retinol serum is the ideal contender for those seeking the benefits of synthetic retinol without the harsh side effects. 

• Best Botanic Retinol Serums for Anti-Aging

| Herbivore Botanical Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Serum

($58/30ml, up to 6% cashback at Herbivore)

Key Ingredients:

- Bakuchiol 1%: The most-researched plant alternative to retinol which targets visible signs of aging.

- Plant Peptides: Multitasking peptides that visibly firm and tighten the face and neck.

- Schisandra Berry Extract (Adaptogen): A clinically effective adaptogen that visibly firms and tightens the look of skin.

Make way for Herbivore's Bakuchiol Serum – a silky-smooth, gel-textured, water-based formula that absorbs quickly to brighten, even texture, reduce the appearance of lines and soothe dryness.

Giving a wealth of smoothing, brightening and fine line-reducing benefits, the serum contains bakuchiol, a natural ingredient derived from the babchi plant that's also known as psoralea corylifolia seed extract. Scientifically proven to be just as effective as retinol in its ability to lessen hyperpigmentation and fine lines, bakuchiol does it all without the redness-inducing irritation and peeling skin that is common with retinol use. A 1% polyhydroxy acid blend even exfoliates the surface of your skin to gently even texture and minimise fine lines while boosting serum absorption and hydrating. Empowered by tremella mushroom (also known as snow mushroom) extract, this serum then infuses skin with deep hydration and encourages moisture retention to give plump and radiant looking skin. Rich in antioxidants, blueberry stem cells strengthen your skin and protect against environmental aggressors that contribute to premature signs of aging. 

Best of all, this natural and vegan serum is suitable for all skin types – even the most sensitive.

| TULA Skincare Wrinkle Treatment Drops

($58.00/29ml, up to 4% cashback at Sephora)

Key Ingredients:

- Probiotic Extracts: Maintain balance and calm the look of irritation.

- Prebiotics (Goji Berry): Visibly firm.

- Bakuchiol, Alfalfa Sprouts, and Stevia: Encourage skin renewal to minimize the look of wrinkles.

Help minimise the appearance of wrinkles with Tula Skincare Wrinkle Treatment Drops Retinol Alternative Serum, a dermatologist-tested serum that is safe for use on sensitive skin. Working to instantly soothe and calm skin, this it helps to reduce redness and strengthen the skin barrier.

Bakuchiol, alfalfa sprouts and stevia act as botanical retinol alternatives to help minimise the appearance of wrinkles and premature signs of ageing. This serum also contains probiotic extracts to calm irritation and improve smoothness, while squalane works to nourish and firm the skin.

Cruelty-free and non-comedogenic, Tula Skincare Wrinkle Treatment Drops Retinol Alternative Serum contains no parabens, sulphates, phthalates or formaldehyde. Working to hydrate the skin, it leaves sensitive skin feeling less stressed over time.

Money Saving Tip: If you like online shopping, don't forget to sign up at Extrabux！(What is Extrabux) , then you can enjoy up to 6% cashback on your purchase from Extrabux! Sign-Up Bonus: Free to join it & get $20 welcome bonus! Student Benefits: As long as you are a student at school, you can get a free whole year long VIP Card worth $199.

| Ogee Natural Retinol Bakuchiol 2% Elixir

($88.00/15ml, up to 3% cashback at Bluemercury)

Key Ingredients:

- Advanced Anti-Aging Derived from Babchi seeds, this natural retinol alternative stimulates the look of resurfaced skin by softening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while reducing the look of pores.

- Plant-Powered Protection Rich in antioxidants, Bakuchiol works to target photodamaged skin to improve the appearance of pigmentation and dark spots, while providing a barrier against environmental stressors. 

A powerful Retinol Alternative (Bakuchiol) concentrate that reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, smoothing skin texture to amplify anti-aging results.

The percentage in the product title signifies the strength of the concentrated dose of the active ingredient within the formulation. The Retinol Alternative Elixir harnesses an above-average strength of 2% Bakuchiol since it is a naturally derived alternative, which allows it to be a higher concentration and more gentle on the skin.

| KORA Organics Plant Stem Cell Retinol Alternative Firming Serum

($77/30ml, up to 4% cashback at Sephora)

Key Ingredients:

- Bakuchiol: Smooths appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and promotes firmer-looking skin.

- Alfalfa Extract: Targets signs of aging and helps smooth rough, damaged skin.

- Açai Stem Cell Extract: Defends skin from environmental stress and future signs of aging.

Deliver retinol-like benefits to the skin without irritation with the Kora Plant Stem Cell Retinol Alternative Serum, a gentle but effective serum designed to tackle the signs of ageing.

Delivering dual-action skincare, the serum has a milky texture that is gentle on the skin. It is powered by bakuchiol and alfalfa extract, two plant-based retinol alternatives that help target the visible signs of ageing, including reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles and boosting firmness.

The serum has a certified organic formula and is suitable for everyday use on all skin types. Formulated with acai stem cell extract, it delivers a hydrating boost, while providing 24/7 antioxidant protection against the ageing effects of environmental factors. Appropriate for day and night application, it can help achieve a smoother, more youthful appearance.

| Dr.Jart+ Prejuvenation Firming Bakuchiol Serum

($66.00/50ml, up to 4% cashback at Sephora)

Key Ingredients:

- 99% High-Purity Bakuchiol: Delivers retinol-like benefits, visibly firming and reducing lines.

- Collagen Peptide: Firms the look of skin and addresses its support structure.

- Glycerin 5%: Hydrates.

Dr. Jart+'s Prejuvenation Firming Bakuchiol Serum grants smoother, firmer-feeling skin while being gentle enough for use on the most sensitive complexion types.

Its formula is supercharged by 99% high purity bakuchiol, a retinol alternative that delivers the same benefits when it comes to reducing the look of wrinkles, while being gentle enough for daily use without drying out the skin. Plus, this multi-action serum is also enriched with collagen peptide which helps to strengthen and plump the complexion. Last, but certainly not least, glycerin grants an extra hit of hydration. The results? Radiant skin, restored to its former, firmer glory.

| Caudalie Resveratrol-Lift Instant Firming Serum

($84.00/30ml, up to 2% cashback at Caudalie)

Key Ingredients:

- Resveratrol: A powerful vine antioxidant that visibly firms and reduces the look of wrinkles.

- Hyaluronic Acid: Two molecular sizes of hyaluronic acid hydrate and leave skin feeling soft.

- Vegan Collagen 1: Visibly firms and smooths facial contours.

In the first instance, Caudalie's Resveratrol-Lift Firming Serum does what is says on the tin: it plumps and firms fine lines for skin that looks smoother. To do this, it's packed with vegan collagen 1 (a plant-based alternative to collagen harvested from mahogany bark). If you're familiar with the French beauty brand, you'll know that all of Caudalie's products draw upon the power of grapevines, and Resveratrol-Lift is no different. It contains vine resveratrol, from wine shoots, as well as hyaluronic acid and a further vegan collagen booster. It is 3x more effective than retinol to firm and lift the appearance of the skin. 

It's also worth noting that this serum doesn't contain retinol, meaning you don't have to deal with any of that usual irritation. As a result, it is ideal for those with sensitive skin or anyone looking for an effective retinol alternative. 

| True Botanicals Phyto-Retinol Sleep Serum

($90.00/30ml at True Botanicals)

Key Ingredients:

- Primrose: Known for its potent anti-inflammatory properties, Primrose effectively soothes and deeply moisturizes skin.

- Peptilium: A phyto-retinol ingredient that is clinically proven to be 2X faster and better than traditional retinol without the sensitizing side effects. Contains 0.5% Peptilium.

- Astaxanthin: A potent antioxidant that helps improve  the look and feel of skin textures and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

It's best not to mess with success, unless you discover an ingredient that outperforms all others in its class. Such is the case with Phyto-Retinol Sleep Serum, an evening mask-turned-treatment serum that is now supercharged with Peptilium®, a novel biopeptide sourced from upcycled cranberry pulp that ups the ante on traditional retinol. 

Said to be a 'smarter way to retinol', Peptilium is clinically proven to work 2x harder and better than other forms of retinol, addressing wrinkle reduction, firmness and cushion, brightness, texture, and tone, delivering dramatic results in half the time, sans skin sensitizing side effects. 

This serum is made with a new patented retinol said to work twice as fast as typical retinol. At the same time, it's also less irritating. It's bolstered with soothing primrose and antioxidant-charged astaxanthin, and it's gentle enough to use every night without causing any trouble.

| OSEA Dream Night Serum

($88.00/30ml at ULTA)

Key Ingredients:

- Bio-Retinol: Potent extract derived from green microalgae that acts as a safe, stable alternative to retinol, visibly improves lines, wrinkles and skin firmness without irritation.

- Red Seaweed: Sustainably sourced Jania rubens visibly reduces the look of wrinkles and improves skin smoothness.

- 2 Firming Peptides: Tripeptide and tetrapeptide smooths the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

- Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid: Visibly reduces the appearance of deep wrinkles.

Whether you're in your 20s and starting to see the first signs of fine lines or in your 60s+ dealing with deeper creases and loss of firmness, this serum is designed to support your skin's needs over time. Powered by algae-derived bio-retinol and two firming peptides, it mimics the effects of retinol without the irritation, making it a game-changer for all skin types.

You can use two full droppers in order to cover your entire face, neck, and chest. But you have to apply it quickly because it does get sticky once it's exposed to air. It takes a moment to soak in but leaves the skin feeling unbelievably soft. This serum has a subtle lavender scent.

Extrabux.com cooperates with many merchants, such as: Walmart (Up to 4% cashback), Sephora（4% -5% cash back), Moosejaw (5% -6% cash back), LOOKFANTASTIC (Up to 10% cash back), Sam's Club (Up to 15% cashback), Norton(Up to 20% cashback), Microsoft (Up to 7% cash back) and so on. You can save on buying daily necessities, fashion, beauty, electronic products, broadband installation, mobile communication, air tickets, hotels and other aspects of life! 

Extrabux is an international cashback shopping site, offering up to 30% cashback from 10,000+ Stores!

LOOKFANTASTIC, SkinStore, SkinCareRx, Feelunique, Cult Beauty, Sephora, Belk, Estee Lauder, Lancome, La Mer, Kiehl's, Clinique, Elizabeth Arden, Adore Beauty, Sol de Janeiro, Hourglass, Lancer, Shiseido, FOREO, Macy's, etc.

Join to get $20 welcome bonus now! (How does Welcome Bonus work?)