If you’re a skincare buff, you have probably heard of retinol and the amazing things it can do for your complexion. But did you know that you can get retinol alternatives from natural plant oils that tend to be gentler for your skin?
We’ve made this guide to show you 7 of the best plant-based and vegan retinol products of 2022, as well as a recap of all the benefits of this super skin product.
Is there a natural retinol?
Technically all retinol products are natural, as they are derived from vitamin A. However, the term ‘natural retinol’ is almost always used to describe retinol alternatives derived from natural plant oils.
Some people prefer natural alternatives to retinol products as they can be gentler than regular retinol, which can irritate the skin.
What is plant-based retinol?
Plant-based retinol is another term used for natural retinol alternatives. Some of the most popular natural retinol oils you’re likely to see on product labels include:
- Bakuchiol oil
- Carrot seed oil
- Rosehip oil
- Avocado oil
- Broccoli seed oil
- Apricot oil
- Peach kernel oil
- Baobab oil
Does retinol come from animals?
No, synthetic retinol extracts used in beauty and other commercial products do not usually come from animals, it comes from vitamin A or plants rich in vitamin A.
However, you can find retinol in eggs and fish liver, beef and chicken but this is very rarely used in beauty products.
Can retinol be vegan?
Yes, even regular synthetic retinol extracts are commonly vegan. Whether a retinol product is vegan or not normally comes down to other factors, e.g., if contains other animal-derived products.
What does vegan retinol do?
Vegan and plant-based retinol can work in a very similar way to synthetic vitamin A-derived retinol, helping to:1
- Speed up cell turnover
- Exfoliate older skin cells at an increased rate
- Support elastin and collagen production
- Plump and moisturise the skin
- Smooth the appearance of existing lines and wrinkles
- Minimise the appearance of new lines and wrinkles
- Shrink and fade the appearance of dark spots (hyperpigmentation), acne scars, sun spots, and redness over time
- Prevent pores from clogging
Is vegan retinol effective?
Yes!
Vegan and plant-based retinol not only offer the same benefits as regular retinol that we mentioned above, but they can also be a lot gentler to the skin.
Some synthetic retinol products can be hard to tolerate and quite harsh on the skin, leaving it irritated, dry, flaky or sensitive. This is why it is always advised that you build up retinol usage in stages.
With plant-based vegan retinol, you don’t have to worry so much about this as they are less likely to cause flare-ups or dryness.
What is the best natural retinol product?
It depends what your skincare goals are and ultimately what your skin responds to best – we all know it can be a little picky!
You may want to invest in a retinol alternative serum for daily use, or you may just want a concentrated oil to add to your oil faithful skincare products.
Most natural retinol products also contain fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins, so it’s worth researching them to see which sounds best for your skin.
You may also want to check out: How to use retinol
Read more: The ultimate guide to vegan beauty
7 of the best vegan and plant-based retinol products 2022
Here they are! We have scoured our plant-based retinal offering here at Holland & Barrett for the best and most-loved products – so you don’t have to.
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Everyday plant-based retinol serum
Oleus Retinol Serum
Key benefits:
- Tightening lightweight serum that supports collagen production and promotes a youthful complexion
- Naturally delivers plant-based retinol from sunflower seed oil, carrot seed oil and retinyl palmitate
- 100% vegan-friendly support for dehydrated and mature skin + it’s super handy for adding to skincare products you already have / other Oleus skincare
What our customers think:
Fe portsmouth – Smooth – 5/5 stars
“Lovely smooth serum.. Really moisturising... Makes my skin look great"
Donna MS – Good value for money – 5/5 stars
“Bought on offer, feels light, a little goes a long way, good value for money.”
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Plant-based retinol oil with vitamin C
Evolve Bio Retinol + C Booster
Key benefits:
- Rosehip oil, vitamins A, C, E and F to help increase collagen production, hydration and skin radiance
- Rich in natural extracts including bakuchiol oil (100% natural functional analog of retinol) and sea buckthorn oil which is packed with vitamin C, omega fatty acids and beta carotene
- Vegan with 94.5% organic and 100% natural ingredients
What our customers think:
Skyepup – Well worth the money – 5/5 stars
“I add a couple of drops to organic rose hip oil. For a night-time moisturiser. This product works well.”
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Vegan retinol face mask
Evolve Bio Retinol Gold Mask
Key benefits:
- Naturally good for you with 100% natural, vegan and 85.1% organic ingredients plus gold sparkles to help you glow!
- Plant-based retinol-like extract from the Bidens Pilosa plant that helps rejuvenate the skin and promotes cellular renewal, without the irritation some other retinol-based products can cause
- Rosehip oil and argan oil also feature in this mask, which are rich in omega-3 and -6 fatty acids to help nourish and moisturise your skin
What our customers think:
Denise – Beauty Gold Mask – 5/5 stars
“The best mask I have ever had! There are so many gold masks on the market, but I am happy I chosen evolve beauty range. The price is reasonable, and I can already see the results on my skin. Would definitely recommend!”
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Plant-based retinol oil
Bio Retinoid™ Youth Concentrate Oil
Key benefits:
- Plant alternative to retinol Bidens Pilosa help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, with less chance of irritation
- Rosehip oil provides the essential fatty omega acids 3 & 6 to support natural skin renewal
- Sea buckthorn oil helps to visibly improve skin firmness and reduce roughness
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Natural, plant-based & gentle retinol serum
Oleus Bakuchiol Serum
Key benefits:
- 100% natural bakuchiol serum is a gentle natural alternative to retinol with all of the same natural healthy-ageing and collagen-supporting benefits
- Blackcurrant and sunflower seed oils help to refine the skin tone and keep your skin hydrated
- Totally vegan-friendly support for dehydrated and mature skin + it’s super handy for adding to skincare products you already have / other Oleus skincare
What our customers think:
Sue J C – Great on sensitive skin – 5/5 stars
“Very happy with this serum. I have super sensitive skin and can’t use many products particularly those for ageing skin. I am mixing this oil with my usual moisturiser and have not had any sensitivity issues. Time will tell if it truly is anti-ageing but like so far.”
Kesb – Really good product – 5/5 stars
“Very light, nice smell oil. Even after using this oil for 2 weeks, I see changes.”
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Retinyl night oil
Disciple Dreamy Skin Retinyl Oil
Key benefits:
- Regenerate while you sleep with Retinyl – a pure form of vitamin A that supports collagen and elastin production, boosting firmness and reducing the appearance of pigmentation
- Rosehip seed oil is a rich source of essential fatty acids (an impressive 80%!) to help maintain good skin texture and elasticity
- Prebiotic burdock root supports good bacteria on the skin’s surface and helps control breakout-causing bacteria and free-radicals
What our customers think:
CleanJunkie – Fave night oil – 5/5 stars
“I’ve been using this oil for over a year and overjoyed that HB now sell it. It’s changed my skin. I used to use a similar oil from a more expensive brand (it’s blue colour) but this half the price and as good. Pores are smaller and skin looks brighter. I think it’s also faded my dark spots!”
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Plant-based retinol moisturiser
Dr Organic Pro Collagen Plus Bakuchiol Moisturiser
Key benefits:
- Naturally moisturising pro-collagen complex is rich in hyaluronic acid, biotin, blackberry leaf extract and other natural skincare favourites
- Bakuchiol oil (plant-based retinol alternative) supports collagen production, helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and improves skin tone
- 100% vegan friendly and can be used day and night to help smooth, firm and plump your skin
What our customers think:
Ren123 – Love it! – 5/5 stars
“I've been using it for 3 months now and I absolutely love it. My skin is moisturized, looks firmer, skin tone has improved, and it has a nice, fresh glow. I definitely recommend.”
H J Williams – A new moisturiser – 5/5 stars
“I normally use Dr. Organic Anti Ageing moisturiser with Dragons Blood but thought I’d try this new cream for smoother skin, anti wrinkle and firmer skin with Bakuchiol plant based retinol alternative. I’m really pleased with this moisturiser! I have been using this for over a month now and can say that, so far, I’m extremely pleased with the smell, the consistency and it’s claims about skin firming are definitely true.”
The final say
We hope this guide has helped you discover the many benefits vegan and plant-based retinols can offer, as well as our customer’s favourite natural retinol products.
Last updated: 11 November 2021
