If you are the least bit interested in skincare, you’ve likely heard all about retinol and people singing its praises from the rooftops. But when it comes to organic skincare and retinol…what’s a girl to do? Is it natural and safe to use? Are there plant-based alternatives instead? Do they work as effectively? We’re gonna unpack allllllll of that in this post, so buckle up!
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This post covers:
- What are the Skincare Benefits of Retinol?
- Does “Clean” Retinol Exist?
- Best Plant-Based Alternatives to Retinol
- My Final Thoughts About Clean Retinols & Retinol Dupes
What are the Skincare Benefits of Retinol?
Let’s go over some basics first, especially if you’re new to retinol (a synthetic derivative of Vitamin A). It’s basically the gold standard for fighting wrinkles and keeping skin youthful. It’s been widely studied and shown to improve wrinkles, stimulate collagen, reduce hyperpigmentation, and slow the signs of aging. It triggers receptors in our skin that kickstart the cell renewal process.
(Side note: I stumbled across this meme and felt SO called out haha! I love The OC #SethCohenForever)
Retinol was also approved in the 1970s for acne patients because it promotes cell turnover and prevents pore clogging. In fact, I had the pleasure of dealing with acne in high school and was put on prescription Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) by my dermatologist. It did help for a while, but it also made my skin SO dry, red, irritated, and flaky. Ah, fun times 😣
Related post: “My Skin Story: How I Naturally Cleared My Acne (+ a FREE Checklist & Face Mapping Guide!)”
Does “Clean” Retinol Exist? 🤔
When it comes to non-toxic beauty and safe ingredients, how does retinol fit into the picture, given that it is synthetic? Well, we all have our own standards for ingredients, and everyone’s definition of “clean” is different. There are many reasons why one might choose to avoid retinols:
- Pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive (high doses of Vitamin A are NOT advised during these times)
- Have extremely sensitive skin or a bad experience with retinol in the past (common side effects include dry, flaky, tight, red skin, which happened to me!)
- Retinol can only be lab-synthesized and does not come from plants, so some might simply prefer something natural
- It can increase sun sensitivity, so you need to be extra safe with exposure when using retinols
- There are concerns with retinoid toxicity (for example, MADE SAFE is a certification that does not allow any forms of it in products due to concerns with photocarcinogenicity, developmental toxicity, and excess Vitamin A in the body)
It might surprise you to hear, but I am actually NOT against retinol. This post is not meant to dissuade you from using clean retinols; rather, it offers gentle alternatives for those interested!
Clean Beauty Brands That Use Retinol:
Long story short, there are various types of retinol/retinoids and derivatives, and not all are the same. Some are safer than others (for instance, I always avoid retinyl palmitate, which can be found in sunscreens and has been linked to tumor and lesion growth).
And there ARE low tox beauty brands that formulate retinols with better supporting inactive ingredients and avoid harmful preservatives such as BHT. Here are retinols with #OrganicallyBeccaApproved ingredients:
- 100% Pure Rosehip Face Cream: In addition to retinol, this also uses bakuchiol and rosehip seed oil (two alternatives you’ll learn more about below)
- Acure Revived Radiance Overnight Mask: Made with encapsulated retinol. It’s moisturizing and absorbs overnight. Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount.
- Alpyn Clarifying Facial Oil: It’s a silky oil that smells lovely, like vanilla. It has added salicylic acid to clear congestion, and it does not irritate my skin. My complexion always looks sooooo healthy when I use this! Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA15 for a discount. [⭐️ Becca’s Top Retinol Pick]
- Cocokind: This brand offers two options, 0.1% Beginner Gel or 0.5% Advanced Gel. I wish the Beginner gel didn’t contain phenoxyethanol, but that’s not a total dealbreaker for me, and these are reasonably priced. Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount.
- FitGlow Vita Youth Retinoic Oil: An oil infused with HPR (hydroxypinacolone retinoate) that works synergistically with bakuchiol.
- Good Molecules Night Oil: Only $12 and uses 1% retinol and five other minimal ingredients.
- Josh Rosebrook Active Infusion Retinoid Oil: This is free of essential oils, uses a retinoic acid ester (hydroxypinacolone retinoate), and is paired with Vitamin C for an extra-brightening glow. Use code ORGANICALLY10 for a discount.
- Leahlani Aqua A Retinoid Renewing Serum: Crafted with low-irritation HPR retinoids.
- Mara Evening Primrose Green Tea Algae Retinol Oil: This bad boy has 1.2% retinol, which is a higher concentration!
- Marie Veronique Gentle Retinol Serum: A nighttime serum that uses microencapsulated retinol at about 0.4-0.6%.
- Maya Chia The Straight A Advanced Gentle Retinol Treatment: This is the one with the most buzz among clean beauty enthusiasts! It uses encapsulated retinol and bakuchiol for an extra boost.
- Ogee Natural Retinal Elixir: Oil-based and uses a unique 1% natural retinol that has gone through a bio-fermentation process. Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA15 for a discount.
Retinol is a marathon, not a sprint!
If you do go this route, remember to start slow and see how your skin tolerates retinol. Typically, it’s recommended to start by applying it 1 or 2 nights a week and work your way up. It can take time to see results. Make sure to wear sunscreen on your face during the day while using it!
Best Plant-Based Alternatives to Retinol
Phew, okay, are you still with me? Let’s shift gears and chat about gentler options you can use instead. In recent years, there’s been significant interest in these alternatives (also known as phyto-retinol, bio-retinol, or botanical retinol).
Basically, there are plant extracts that have similar anti-aging, wrinkle-fighting, glowy skin properties as retinol, but without the side effects, and can usually be tolerated by most people (even uber-sensitive skin) 🌱
Keep in mind, there’s not as much research behind some of them, so we can’t *really* say for sure that you’ll see the same results or make claims that they’re just as powerful 🤓
Dupe 1: Bakuchiol
Pronounced bah-koo-chee-ol. You’ve likely heard of this one! It’s used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda and has become the most popular and promising retinol alternative in natural skincare, especially in recent years. It comes from the seeds of the babchi plant and is native to India and Sri Lanka.
A 2014 study found that bakuchiol exhibits retinol-like activity despite lacking a structural resemblance to retinol. It was also found to stimulate collagen in cells! This study also showed that bakuchiol helped reduce acne and prevent breakouts.
Another study in the British Journal of Dermatology conducted a randomized, double-blind trial in which participants used either 0.5% bakuchiol cream or 0.5% retinol cream. The results actually showed that bakuchiol reduced wrinkles and hyperpigmentation similarly to retinol! 😲 However, the retinol users had more discomfort and peeling.
But Is Bakuchiol Endangered?
I remember shortly after the bakuchiol craze started, I learned some shocking information about it potentially being an endangered species and overharvested due to its rising popularity (and low germination rate). That concerned me because, obviously, I would never want to contribute to that!
But after looking into it, it is indeed NOT listed as an endangered species by CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). On top of that, the Indian government has laws in place to protect the plant and prevent overharvesting (this is where bakuchiol grows wildly).
It’s always a good reminder to choose brands that use sustainable sourcing and ethical practices. Illegal harvesting and unsustainable sourcing are still a thing. Honua has an in-depth article about this if you’d like to learn more!
Clean products with Bakuchiol:
100% Pure Bakuchiol Moisturizer: Paired with niacinamide, CoQ10, and hyaluronic acid.
Acure Dual Phase Bakuchiol Serum: It’s called “dual phase” because the formula separates into two phases, but you shake it before use. The top layer is an antioxidant-rich essence, and the bottom is a moisturizing serum blend. Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount.
Alpyn Instant Glow Serum: Alpyn is incredibly thoughtful about sustainability and sourcing wildcrafted ingredients. This serum doubles as an illuminating primer, featuring mica for subtle shimmer. It has a light, fresh scent and a silky texture that sinks into skin immediately. I do feel like this serum makes my skin look bright, vibrant, toned, and plump. My pores seem less obvious, too! ✨ It’s one of my all-time faves. Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA15 for a discount. [⭐️ Becca’s Top Bakuchiol Pick]
Alpyn Melt Moisturizer: If you prefer a lotion to a serum, this one contains bakuchiol. It’s a decadent water-based cream with a velvety texture. I love that it has a matte finish and truly melts right into skin. Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA15 for a discount.
Earth Harbor Anchor Youth Serum: A light, creamy serum with a natural coral hue from astaxanthin and 4% bakuchiol. Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount.
Ere Perez White Tea Elixir: A fast-absorbing, antioxidant-rich serum that also contains resveratrol, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid.
FitGlow Vita Rich Bakuchiol Crème: This is a splurge, but it also contains hyaluronic acid and rosehip oil. FitGlow even has a Bakuchiol Body Cream if you want to experience the benefits not just on your face!
Inika Organic Bakuchiol Serum: Formulated with just two ingredients, olive-derived squalane and bakuchiol!
Herbivore Retinol Alternative Serum: The milky, purple color totally drew me in! It includes two forms of bakuchiol plus chios mastic tree resin to promote firmer, smoother skin.
Ogee Retinol Alternative Elixir: Oil-based and contains 2% bakuchiol. Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA15 for a discount.
Sun & Moo The Beautiful Oil: A luscious blend of organic jojoba, castor oil, bakuchiol, and frankincense resin. Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount.
Three Ships Skin Hero Bio-Retinol Serum: Made with 2% bakuchiol, calming calendula, and rosehip. Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount.
withSimplicity Pro-Age Oil: A nighttime oil packed with bakuchiol, rosehip, red raspberry, and jojoba. Use code BECCA10 for a discount.
Dupe 2: Rambutan
Rambutan is probably the second most popular swap that I’ve seen used! It’s a funky-looking fruit native to Southeast Asia and has some promising research behind it. It doesn’t really have blemish-fighting properties like retinol, but it does help with skin elasticity, rejuvenation, age spots, and minimizing fine lines. It would be especially ideal for dry skin types, as it also boosts skin hydration, the opposite effect of retinols, which are drying 💦
Clean products with rambutan:
Alpyn Firming Serum: I happily finished a bottle of this serum—it was so good! It made my skin feel really firm, hydrated, and plump. It’s silky-smooth, absorbs quickly, and does not pill under other skincare products. The scent is mild, and the wild nettle helps hydrate, control oil production, and is a natural source of Vitamin C. Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA15 for a discount.
Kendra K. Butler, the founder of Alpyn, says:
“Rambutan is a cutting-edge, effective ingredient that supports the natural production of collagen, increases skin elasticity, and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.”
Honest Hydrogel Serum: One of my go-to hyaluronic acid serums that’s mostly unscented, has a milky white color, and also uses kiwi seed oil for barrier support. [⭐️ Becca’s Top Rambutan Pick]
Indie Lee Retinol Alternative Cream: This one has hundreds of rave reviews! It’s lightweight, not much of a smell, and features unique refillable packaging: the inside pops out, you can reuse the pump, and refills are $10 cheaper. It’s definitely very gentle and just feels like a lotion, but it’s jam-packed with some powerhouse ingredients such as rambutan, squalane, paracress, and orange milk tree extract.
It does make my skin feel quite firm, but I don’t notice any miraculous results, to be honest! I don’t think it’s quite up to par with a retinol; it’s a milder option. I also add a drop or two of a facial oil to this one because I personally need a little more moisture, but it can pill if you blend too much!
Dupe 3: Rosehip
Rosehip has often been referred to as nature’s retinol because it does contain naturally occurring trans-retinoic acid (a form of Vitamin A). However, it’s much less potent than synthetic retinol and not equally as efficacious. But it still offers similar benefits, such as firm, even skin tone (scar reduction) and slowing the signs of aging.
It tends to be a dry oil, so it absorbs nicely without being overly greasy, and it does not have the fragrant rose smell since it comes from the seed and not the flower 🌹
Clean products with rosehip:
Good Molecules Rosehip Oil: This is $10 and contains only three ingredients: rosehip, chia seed, and 1% bakuchiol.
Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil: This oil is amazing! It has both organic rosehip seed oil and rosehip fruit extract, so the whole fruit is used. Both are extracted using supercritical CO2, which minimizes oxidation risk and yields the purest oil. I used this when I was trying to heal acne scars and restore skin balance, and I do feel like it helped! [⭐️ Becca’s Top Rosehip Pick]
Sunday Standard Rosehip & Sea Buckthorn Restorative Oil: So dreamy! An organic nighttime oil that works its magic while you sleep with lots of repairing and rejuvenating perks. Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount on your first purchase.
Three Ships Boost Oil: Crafted with 49% organic rosehip seed oil. Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount.
Related post: “Benefits of Using Organic Facial Oils (& Four Oils You’ll Wanna Try ASAP)“
Dupe 4: Samphire
Samphire (also known as rock samphire, sea fennel, or sea retinol) is a flowering plant in the carrot family that’s typically found along coastlines worldwide. It’s high in plant stem cells, antioxidants, and amino acids, and has been shown to accelerate epidermal regeneration and protect the skin barrier!
Clean products with Samphire:
Earth Harbor Samphire BHA Clarifying Serum: A 5-in-1 treatment that refines, clarifies, balances, hydrates, and exfoliates. It has 1% samphire and a natural salicylic alternative derived from beets, making it ideal for those seeking acne-fighting and graceful aging benefits. Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount.
Earth Harbor Siren Silk Bio-Retinol Hydration Cream: A rich cream that blurs, plumps, calms, and hydrates. It has a subtly fruity, nutty, and herbal scent. Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount.
Wildling Moonbounce Plumping Moisturizer: A thick cream formulated with 2% samphire. It has the most wonderful, warm, spicy, cinnamon roll scent! Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount. [⭐️ Becca’s Top Samphire Pick]
Dupe 5: Beef Tallow
Tallow…yes, as in rendered beef fat 🐮 Obviously, this one is animal-based and not vegan, but I would be remiss not to include it because it’s LOADED with nutrients such as Vitamins A, B12, D, E, K, and fatty acids (palmitic, stearic, oleic, alpha-linoleic, and conjugated linoleic [CLA]) that promote skin health and cell renewal. Tallow is a natural, bioavailable source of Vitamin A, plus Vitamin E has been shown to prevent collagen breakdown. It’s also an incredible moisturizer.
There are a million tallow brands on the market these days, but my preferred brand is Sun & Moo, particularly the Age Reverse blend. The balms are grass-fed, grass-finished, with organic ingredients. They have a beautiful whipped texture that sinks into skin like a dream and no “beefy” smell! Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount.
Learn more about tallow here: “Tallow as a Natural Face Moisturizer? I Gave it a Try & Here’s How it Went!“
My Final Thoughts About Clean Retinols & Retinol Dupes
Ultimately, I DO think it’s possible to be mindful of using clean products and retinol from a brand that uses safer ingredients. It’s going to be the most powerful option if you’re looking for youthful, vibrant skin. That is, if your skin can handle it!
When we’re talking about natural retinol dupes, I am convinced they share similar benefits but not as strongly. I think it’s good to be realistic about that. If you’re looking for the option with the most research behind it, bakuchiol is the way to go!
You might also enjoy this post:
11 Natural & Effective Ways to Prevent & Smooth Wrinkles (without Botox!)
You made it! Was this guide helpful? I’d love to hear about your experience with retinols or botanical retinols if you’re willing to share. Thanks so much for reading, and you can drop any comments below 💚
Where, in your skincare regimen, do you apply retinol (or a clean alternative)? Before/after which other products. Loved this article!
Hi! It’s going to depend on the product. If it’s a serum, then it would be before your moisturizer or heavier oils. If it’s more of an oil, then it would be after toner, serums, etc. Check out this post for how to layer products!
Thank you for this info. I recently purchased a retinol product that has an excellent score on EWG. Something felt off though so I looked further into it and it turns out there was an ingredient missing from the score and it also contains BHT. I’ll be switching to one of your recommended options.