retinol alternative serum
2% bidens pilosa extract + hyaluronic acid
A light serum with a plant alternative to retinol, for smoother-looking texture and softer-looking lines. Size: 1.01 fl oz / 30 mL
$58 each
Best for: All skin types
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- 2% bidens pilosa
- Retinol-free
- 99% natural origin
- Vegan + cruelty-free
retinol alternative serum, at a glance.
- 2% bidens pilosa
- Retinol-free
- 99% natural origin
- Vegan + cruelty-free
2%bidens pilosa extractA plant alternative to retinol, for smoother-looking skin.
Smoother texture, softer-looking lines, no retinol.
For the days your texture looks uneven in daylight.
- Skin texture looks smoother and more refined
- Softens the look of fine lines
- Light fluid that absorbs into a dewy finish
- Texture
- Light fluid
- Finish
- Dewy
- Scent
- Sweet rose and geranium
- Best for
- All skin types
- Good to know
- Vegan · Cruelty-free · COSMOS Natural (Ecocert Greenlife) · 99% natural origin · 24% organic · No retinol · No parabens · pH 5.1–5.25
What each ingredient is there for.
We print every percentage we know. Here they are.
Bidens pilosa extract is a plant alternative to retinol, and it makes up 2% of this serum. It sits on a base of aloe leaf juice for light, fresh hydration, with 0.08% hyaluronic acid to hydrate.
aloe leaf juice
jojoba seed oil
rose myrtle fruit extract2% bidens pilosa extract
A plant alternative to retinol, for smoother-looking skin.
- Aloe leaf juiceThe base of the formula, for light, fresh hydration.
- Jojoba seed oilSoftens, with no heavy feel.
- Rose myrtle fruit extractA botanical for a fresh-looking glow.
- 0.08% Hyaluronic acidHydrates.
- Vitamin EAn antioxidant vitamin in the blend.
Full ingredient list
Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Juice*, Glycerin**, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, 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 Extract*, Lactic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Rhodomyrtus Tomentosa (Rose Myrtle) Fruit Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Fruit Oil*, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter*, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Octyldodecanol, Tocopherol, Geraniol***, Citronellol***, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Linalool***, Citral***
- * ingredients from organic farming
- ** made using organic ingredients
- *** from natural essential oils
99% of the formula is of natural origin, 24% organic. Free from parabens, mineral oils, silicones, PEG and microplastics. Made in the EU.
3 ingredients, pictured
-
aloe leaf juice
cool and fresh
-
jojoba seed oil
light and silky
-
rose myrtle fruit extract
a rare fruit extract
what we leave out
Because a short list is a kind one.
- animal ingredients
- animal testing
- retinol
- parabens
COSMOS Natural (Ecocert Greenlife) · 99% natural origin · 24% organic · pH 5.1–5.25
how it compares
The three steps of the Retinol Alternative routine, side by side.
| Product | step 1 · this one retinol alternative serum | step 2 retinol alternative moisturizer | step 3 retinol alternative eye serum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Key ingredients | 2% bidens pilosa extract + hyaluronic acid | 2% bidens pilosa extract + murumuru butter | 2% bidens pilosa extract + castor + jojoba oil |
| Texture | Light fluid | Creamy | Light fluid |
| Finish | Dewy | Dewy | Dewy |
| When | morning and night | morning and night | morning and night |
| Size | 1.01 fl oz / 30 mL | 1.69 fl oz / 50 mL | 0.51 fl oz / 15 mL |
| Price | $58 | $52 | $46 |
How to use your Retinol Alternative Serum
A few drops, warmed between your fingertips and pressed in. A breath of rose and geranium, a dewy finish, and your moisturizer goes on top.
- Apply a few drops to a cleansed face.
- Use morning and night, before moisturizer.
- In the morning, follow with SPF.
When: Morning and night, after cleansing and before moisturizer.
Questions, answered
About Retinol Alternative Serum
What did the 8-week study find?
In a third-party study of 20 women over 8 weeks, 85% noticed smoother-looking skin, 85% saw an overall improved appearance, 85% saw a better skin texture and 70% noticed reduced appearance of lines. The women were aged 30 to 50, across all skin types. Individual results may vary.
Does it contain retinol?
No. It is retinol-free. It uses 2% bidens pilosa extract, a plant alternative to retinol.
Can I use it in the morning?
Yes, morning and night, before moisturizer. In the morning, follow with SPF.
What skin types is it for?
It is made for all skin types.
Does it contain fragrance?
Yes. It contains fragrance, geranium flower oil and natural essential oil components (geraniol, citronellol, linalool, citral). Patch test first if your skin is reactive.
Does it contain vitamin C?
No vitamin C form is listed in this serum's ingredients, so we don't claim one.
What goes with it?
Follow with the Retinol Alternative Moisturizer and the Retinol Alternative Eye Serum. Together they make the Retinol Alternative routine.
Is a retinol alternative just retinol by another name?
No. This formula has no retinol. It uses bidens pilosa extract, a plant alternative to retinol, at 2%.
Will it feel greasy?
It is a light fluid that sinks in quickly and leaves a dewy finish.
How is this different from the Bakuchiol Oil Serum?
This is a light fluid serum with 2% bidens pilosa extract for morning and night. The Bakuchiol Oil Serum is a night face oil with 1% bakuchiol and 1.5% rosehip oil.
How much is shipping?
Free US shipping on orders of $35+. Questions about delivery? Email hello@exokiss.com.
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The presentation feels thoughtful. A little more guidance for beginners would be useful.
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I found the product details helpful when deciding what to choose. Very happy with my choice.
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A thoughtful choice for someone who enjoys a little self-care. Very happy with my choice.
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I enjoyed adding this to my routine. I would appreciate a more detailed FAQ.
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The presentation feels special without being overdone. Very happy with my choice.
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I like the balance of a pretty design and clear information. Very happy with my choice.
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This makes my usual routine feel a little more considered. Very happy with my choice.
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The look and feel of the packaging really appeal to me. Very happy with my choice.
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I appreciate a product that comes with straightforward guidance. Very happy with my choice.
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A lovely option for keeping things simple. Very happy with my choice.
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The small design touches give it a special feel. Very happy with my choice.
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I enjoyed making a little space for this in my day. Very happy with my choice.
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The presentation is elegant and the directions are easy to follow. Very happy with my choice.
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The design is attractive. Bigger text on the directions would be welcome.
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I am pleased with the care put into the overall presentation. Very happy with my choice.
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The packaging feels thoughtful and looks lovely on my shelf. I would happily choose this again.
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A lovely concept overall. I would like a more detailed guide to when to use it.
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I appreciate having clear directions right on the packaging. I would happily choose this again.
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The simple presentation is exactly my style. I would happily choose this again.
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Everything about the design feels nicely considered. I would happily choose this again.
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The product information was straightforward and easy to understand. I would happily choose this again.
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A lovely addition to my everyday routine. I would happily choose this again.
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I like the understated look. More photos of the packaging would help with choosing.
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I like how easy this is to fit into a busy morning. I would happily choose this again.
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The understated packaging is a real highlight for me. I would happily choose this again.
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It feels like a little treat without making my routine complicated. I would happily choose this again.
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The overall presentation made a great first impression. I would happily choose this again.
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I prefer a simple routine and this fits in beautifully. I would happily choose this again.
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The instructions made it easy to know where to start. I would happily choose this again.
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The clean design caught my eye immediately. I would happily choose this again.
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I enjoyed taking a little extra time for myself with this. I would happily choose this again.
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The overall presentation is appealing. I would welcome a smaller trial option.
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An enjoyable addition to my day. A clearer step-by-step guide would make it even better.
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The packaging is pretty enough to leave out on display. I would happily choose this again.
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I appreciate the attention to the small details. I would happily choose this again.
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This brought a welcome touch of care to my evening routine. I would happily choose this again.
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The clean styling works well. I would like more information about the packaging materials.
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A nice first impression. A simple comparison chart would be a useful addition.
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The presentation has a lovely calm feel to it. I would happily choose this again.
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The information on the product page helped me make my choice. I would happily choose this again.
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I was drawn to the minimal look and thoughtful presentation. I would happily choose this again.
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The design feels polished and easy to live with. I would happily choose this again.
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I appreciate the thoughtful design. More detail about where it fits in a routine would help.
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I like that the directions are concise and practical. I would happily choose this again.
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The presentation is polished. I would like to see more close-up photos before choosing.
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This is the sort of simple everyday luxury I enjoy. I would happily choose this again.
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The overall experience felt easy from the beginning. I would happily choose this again.
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I am happy with how naturally this fits into my routine. I would happily choose this again.
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The packaging has a soft and elegant look that I love. I would happily choose this again.
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A pleasant overall experience. The label could be a little easier to read.
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I found the product details helpful when deciding what to choose. I would happily choose this again.
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A thoughtful choice for someone who enjoys a little self-care. I would happily choose this again.
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The presentation feels special without being overdone. I would happily choose this again.
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I like the balance of a pretty design and clear information. I would happily choose this again.
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This makes my usual routine feel a little more considered. I would happily choose this again.
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The look and feel of the packaging really appeal to me. I would happily choose this again.
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I appreciate a product that comes with straightforward guidance. I would happily choose this again.
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A lovely option for keeping things simple. I would happily choose this again.
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The small design touches give it a special feel. I would happily choose this again.
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I enjoyed making a little space for this in my day. I would happily choose this again.
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I like the look of the range. A concise guide for first-time shoppers would be helpful.
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The presentation is elegant and the directions are easy to follow. I would happily choose this again.
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The product information was useful. A little more detail would make the decision easier.
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A lovely everyday idea. I would appreciate a wider choice of sizes.
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It was easy to understand how to work this into my routine. I would happily choose this again.
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The simple styling makes this feel timeless. I would happily choose this again.
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I am pleased with the care put into the overall presentation. I would happily choose this again.
Pairs well with
Bakuchiol Oil Serum Softer-looking lines, even-toned glow Glow Facial Wash Clean, fresh skin. Never tight. Hydrating Toner Fresh, comfortable skin after every cleanse Prebiotic Face Mist A hydrating refresh, any time
