ELEMIS Explained: Our Natural Alternative to Retinol

Retinol is a type of vitamin A that regenerates skin cells and improves collagen production for younger-looking skin. As we age, cell turnover naturally starts to slow; the more mature your skin, the slower the process. Collagen also declines from age twenty-five, which can lead to sagging skin, wrinkles and fine lines.

However, retinol stimulates collagen levels, improving elasticity and hydration retention, holding up your skin’s structure. It also enhances blood flow to the surface of your skin, giving it life and vitality.

Now you know the skin-enhancing results of retinol, you might think, ‘Why would I want an alternative?’

Well, it turns out that the retinol trend has left skincare sufferers in its wake. From dry and peeling skin to breakouts and redness, retinol isn’t for everyone.

If you’ve found retinol less than helpful for your skin, then retinol alternatives are for you. They do the same thing as retinol but are far more gentle and soothing. They’re a great option if you have mature skin, struggle with sensitive skin or are prone to blemishes.

Thankfully, there are plenty of retinol alternatives to refresh and rejuvenate your skin without irritation. We’ll go through some of the best retinol-alternative options.

Plant extracts

Plant extracts are a beautiful, natural retinol alternative, and there are plenty to choose from. We’ve listed some of our absolute favourites for baby-soft skin.

Bakuchiol - Bakuchiol is a vegan retinol alternative derived from the Psoralea corylifolia plant. It connects to receptors in your skin to spark collagen production. The extra collagen tones mature skin, reducing signs of ageing. Bakuchiol is available in serums, creams, and toners. All you need to do is choose your preferred type of skincare containing bakuchiol.

Rosemary extract - Rosemary oil took the beauty world by storm when a study showed that it had better hair growth effects than the artificial chemical minoxidil. The anti-inflammatory and stimulating properties are also great for your skin. They enhance skin by encouraging blood flow for quick cell turnover and a youthful glow. 

If using rosemary extract, avoid skin irritation by diluting it with another carrier oil. Alternatively, opt for a skincare product formulated with rosemary.

Rosehip oil - Rosehip oil is the romantic lover of anyone with sensitive skin. It’s a beautiful anti-inflammatory that gives retinol-like results while remaining light and gentle.

Rosehip oil contains linoleic acid, which tightens the dermal barrier for hydrated, dewy skin. It also encourages cell turnover for an even skin texture and tone. This reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and acne scarring.

Peptides

At ELEMIS, we’re huge fans of peptides in skincare because of their plumping and skin-firming effects. Peptides are short chains of amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and necessary for glowing skin, so it's no wonder peptides make a fantastic retinol alternative. 

Azelaic acid

Azelaic acid is a natural by product of grains such as wheat and barley. It gently exfoliates and nurtures cell turnover for luminous skin. The acid also tightens and plumps without aggravating sensitive skin and is a popular retinol alternative.

ELEMIS advanced formula

Our ingredients are gentle and work wonders without compromising your skin’s health. We’ve mindfully formulated the ELEMIS Renewal Serum using Padina Pavonica, red microalgae, alfalfa and stevia extracts. These nourishing ingredients give you the same retinol results without causing the common retinol side effects of redness and itching.

Our Pro-Collagen Renewal Serum is your perfect natural alternative to retinol. 97% of participants in our clinical trial saw anti-ageing benefits whilst finding the formula gentle. The same percentage experienced a reduction in the appearance of skin damage.

Similarly, 91% saw a dramatic decrease in fine lines, wrinkles and expression lines, creating smoother-looking skin*. We’ve picked the best skin-enhancing ingredients clinically proven to rejuvenate your skin. But how does the formula work?

*Independent User Trials 2020. Results based on 37 people over 4 weeks.

Padina Pavonica

Padina Pavonica is a tiny Mediterranean brown algae known as “peacock's tail” because of its fan shape. This miraculous seaweed is bursting with minerals and nutrients that help your skin look more vibrant and healthy.

It’s also an impressive humectant, drawing water molecules from the air. This keeps your skin barrier hydrated and intact, protecting lower layers from dryness and damage.

Red microalgae

It turns out that algae are the secret to beautiful skin health because we’ve added red microalgae to our renewal serum.

This super algae holds pockets of water, and it can transfer this magical property to your face. It pulls water to your skin’s surface, smoothing out dips, creases and crevices such as wrinkles and fine lines. It helps maintain skin hydration and homeostasis.

Alfalfa

Alfalfa, or lucerne, is part of the pea family and holds incredible skin rejuvenation benefits. It produces saponins, which are natural cleansers. They remove impurities without drying out your skin, minimising the appearance of pores.

Alfalfa is also an antioxidant with retinol-like properties. It helps support the natural process of collagen synthesis and can minimise the signs of premature ageing when used with SPF.

Stevia extract

Stevia extract is taken from the leaves of the stevia plant. You may have heard of stevia as a natural alternative to sugar, but it also holds incredible retinol-replicating benefits.

The powerful plant encourages collagen synthesis (creation and production), lifting the skin for a more even texture. It also draws moisture from the environment to soothe and condition your skin. This encourages cell turnover to heal blemishes and tightens pores for a dewy complexion.

If retinol isn’t a suitable ingredient for your skin, don’t worry. Try a natural retinol alternative and enjoy the youthful glow that plant extracts, peptides, and our very own advanced formula can bring. Treat your skin with kindness and use ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Renewal Serum for a smooth and radiant complexion.