I Switched My Retinol For A Plant-Based Alternative & It Solved My Skincare Dilemmas
The next generation of high-performance natural skincare.
The most-buzzed-about skincare ingredient of the past few years is, without a doubt, retinol.
You’ve probably heard your mate, who considers themselves a skincare aficionado, bang on about it non-stop. It’s the magic ingredient in anti-aging products, and it’s not just for people who worry about fine lines and wrinkles, as retinol (AKA Vitamin A) also addresses skin concerns like acne, scarring and pigmentation.
However, despite its growing popularity, retinol is not for everyone. It can leave sensitive skin feeling irritated and even burnt, for instance. I’ve been using retinol on and off for several years and I find it makes the skin on my nose super flaky and dry, which is truly not a vibe when it comes to applying make-up. Foundation ends up peeling off, while powder just makes my nose look drier than the Sahara. Big yikes.
If I was a skincare ingredient I would be retinol, not many can tolerate but I’m worth it
— THE DALLAS AESTHETICIAN (@savannaboda) May 13, 2021
The flaking got so bad that I’d find myself avoiding retinol before special events, or only applying it a couple of times a week – which kind of defeats the purpose of using retinol as a step in my everyday skincare routine.
Another issue I’ve encountered is, when I’ve combined retinol with other strong serums, I’ve had weird reactions. I’ve tried different brands looking for a gentler retinol that won’t lead to adverse effects, but to no avail.
In my search for a product that offers the benefits of retinol without all the messy guesswork, I came across Andalou Naturals’ new Bakuchiol range: a plant-based natural alternative to retinol without any of the nasty reactions. Bakuchiol comes from the leaves and seeds of the Psoralea corylifolia plant and is combined with Andalou’s signature Fruit Stem Cell Science, which uses nature’s most potent bioactive stem cells to target skin cells. So it’s a godsend for people who want youthful and radiant skin, without the skin irritation retinol can cause.
Andalou’s range is available at Chemist Warehouse, Priceline and via their website and the products are 98% nature-derived, non-GMO certified, cruelty free and gluten free, with heaps of vegan options. I decided to test the difference by ditching my old retinol and incorporating the Andalou Naturals’ serum, eye balm and cream into my routine instead. Immediately, I noticed how light the products felt on my skin. My old retinol was quite thick and heavy, but Andalou’s products felt much more delicate. The next day, my skin felt soft and super smooth – with no peeling or dry skin in sight!
As I continued to apply the products every day for a few weeks, my skin felt great and appeared plump, firm and youthful. What I loved most about the products was the smell: it’s much more natural (quite fruity! It has lovely peach and apricot vibes that made my face feel super fresh) than the other retinols I’ve used, which sometimes have that yucky chemical scent. I especially loved the cream because it applies like a dream and a little bit goes a long way, making it good value for money.
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I was impressed with how the products paired with makeup being applied over the top, providing a perfectly smooth base for my foundation, almost like a primer.
I’m especially thrilled that I can apply Andalou’s products in the morning. Most traditional (and high-strength) retinols are sensitive to sunlight, so you can’t go outside after applying them. I’m generally a night skincare gal, but on the mornings that I realised I forgot to do retinol the night before, I couldn’t just work it last-minute into my daily routine. This meant that I wasn’t applying it as often as I’d like because I’m forgetful AF, which is just an extra hassle.
All in all, I’m a fan of Andalou Naturals’ new Bakuchiol range. If you’ve found that traditional retinol is too intense for your skin but still want to reap the benefits, it might be time to go au natural.
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Discover Andalou Naturals’ new Age Defying range featuring Bakuchiol & Fruit Stem Cell Science. This is Retinol Reinvented. Available in Chemist Warehouse, Priceline and via andalou.com.au
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Lead image courtesy of Andalou Naturals