Retinol Alternative Serum
£42.00
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Retinol Alternative Serum
99% natural origin · 24% organic · COSMOS Natural certified
£42.00
Free UK delivery on orders over £50
Dispatched within 2 working days · Standard 4–7 working days · Express next working day
A barrier-respecting alternative to traditional retinoids.
The Retinol Alternative Serum is a lightweight treatment designed to support skin renewal while maintaining comfort and balance. Formulated with Bidens Pilosa extract, a plant-derived retinol alternative, it helps refine skin texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines without the irritation often associated with retinol.
Key ingredients
Bidens Pilosa ExtractAloe JuiceHyaluronic AcidJojoba Oil
How it works, ingredients and how to use ↓
Infused with hydrating and nourishing ingredients including aloe juice, jojoba oil, hyaluronic acid and botanical extracts, the formula helps maintain hydration, support the skin barrier and promote a smoother, more radiant complexion.
Fast-absorbing and comfortable on the skin, it is suitable for daily use. It contains no retinol.
Why it works
- Supports gentle skin renewal
- Helps refine texture and improve radiance
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines
- Hydrates and supports the skin barrier
- Lightweight, fast-absorbing serum
- Suitable for all skin types
How to use
- Apply a few drops to clean skin on the face and neck, before moisturiser.
- Best used in the evening. If using in the morning, always follow with sunscreen.
- If you have very sensitive skin, start every other evening and build up gradually.
The science, but natural
Key active ingredients
Bidens Pilosa Extract
A plant-derived retinol alternative that supports skin renewal while maintaining comfort.
Aloe Juice
Helps soothe and hydrate the skin.
Hyaluronic Acid
Provides deep hydration and supports skin elasticity.
Jojoba Oil
Supports the skin barrier and replenishes essential lipids.
Rose Myrtle Extract
Provides antioxidant support and helps promote a radiant complexion.
Vitamin E
Helps protect the skin from environmental stress.
Product details
Type: Serum
Category: Face care
Skin Concerns: Texture, fine lines, dullness
Skin Types: All skin types
Texture: Lightweight serum
Finish: Smooth, comfortable
Packaging: White
Full ingredients (INCI)
Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Juice➀, Glycerin➁, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil➀, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Isoamyl Laurate, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Parfum/Fragrance, Cellulose, Aqua/Water, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Fruit Extract➀, Lactic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Rhodomyrtus Tomentosa (Rose Myrtle) Fruit Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Fruit Oil➀, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter➀, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Octyldodecanol, Tocopherol, Geraniol➂, Citronellol➂, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Linalool➂, Citral➂
➀ Ingredients from organic farming
➁ Made using organic ingredients
➂ From natural essential oils
Complete your routine
Dr Mica pairs it with
Ceramide Barrier Night CreamNight · ceramide-like lipids while you sleep£48.00
Glass Skin Mineral Sunscreen SPF30 TintedProtect · mineral SPF, last step every morning£39.00
From the doctor
Dr Mica's guidance
How to use Retinol Alternative Serum safely and get the best from it
Getting started
Use two or three evenings a week for the first two weeks, then build up to every evening if your skin is comfortable. Mild dryness at first is normal; stinging or redness that lasts is not, so stop if that happens. Use SPF every morning.
Patch test
Contains fragrance and geranium oil. Before first use, apply a small amount behind your ear or on the side of your neck once a day for three days. If there’s no redness, itching or stinging, it’s ready to use.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Its active ingredients are plant extracts, not retinol or other retinoids. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your midwife, GP or pharmacist before starting any new skincare.
After aesthetic treatments
Pause for 48 hours after injectables, and until skin has fully healed after peels, laser or microneedling (usually at least 7 days), or as your practitioner advises.
With prescription skincare
Don’t use it on the same night as a prescribed retinoid (tretinoin, adapalene) unless your prescriber agrees. Using both at once is more likely to irritate.
General skincare guidance, not a medical diagnosis. If your skin is painful, broken or not improving, see your GP or a dermatologist. Unsure which products suit you? Take the Skin Quiz.