Written by OSEA Staff | Published March 6, 2025
If you’ve started (or are considering) an anti-aging skincare routine, you’ve likely heard of retinol – the gold standard in the anti-aging skincare market. You might also know that retinol is pretty spicy on the skin, so it’s not a universal choice for everyone’s skincare routine.
Luckily, bio-retinol mimics the effects of traditional retinol but without the associated irritation. What is bio-retinol exactly? Read on to find out! Here, we take a deep dive into how bio-retinol compares to its fiery older sibling while also debunking common bio-retinol myths so you feel more comfortable and confident using it.
Bio-Retinol vs. Retinol: Understanding the Differences
How Each Ingredient Is Derived
Retinol is a vitamin A derivative sourced from animals or synthesized in a lab. Bio-retinol is an alternative to retinol that doesn’t contain irritating vitamin A. Instead, it is derived from green microalgae extract or other nutrient-rich plant sources.
Purpose of Each Ingredient
Think of retinol as a reliable communication network. When applied topically, it starts chatting with skin receptors, encouraging them to produce collagen and accelerate cell turnover¹. Both processes help transform the look of dull, saggy skin, leaving it with a firmer, smoother appearance while reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
Bio-retinol also accomplishes the same goal as retinol – visibly firming and smoothing skin as well as minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Bio-retinol doesn’t contain vitamin A and works at the dermis layer², making it gentler on the skin. Retinol, on the other hand, stimulates the epidermis, which increases skin sensitivity.
Suitability for Different Skin Types and Concerns
Retinol is a harsh ingredient, making it less tolerable for individuals who have sensitive skin. Bio-retinol doesn’t have the same inflammatory side effects as retinol³, making it an excellent option for all skin types, especially sensitive skin, to improve the look of lines and wrinkles with a lower risk of irritation.
Common Bio-Retinol Misconceptions
Myth: Bio-Retinol Can Irritate Skin
Irritation isn’t the only side effect you’ll dodge by choosing bio-retinol over retinol. The vitamin A in retinol serums and creams can cause redness and peeling while also making your skin more sensitive to the sun (which is why it’s only recommended for nighttime use). Plus, it takes time for the skin to adjust to the potent ingredient. In the meantime, it’s not uncommon to experience purging. Purging refers to the dryness, irritation and blemishes that develop due to the higher cell turnover rate from using retinol⁴.
In comparison, bio-retinol is a much less demanding skincare ingredient. The lack of vitamin A means there’s a lower risk of sun sensitivity, so you can use bio-retinol day and night. There’s no need to avoid sunlight like a vampire, so go ahead and plan that sunny beach vacation! Just don’t forget your SPF!
Myth: Alternative Retinols Are Less Effective Than Traditional Retinols
Bio-retinol mimics the effects of retinol to visibly reduce wrinkles and smooth the look and feel of the skin. Because bio-retinol doesn’t contain vitamin A, you won’t experience the discomfort associated with retinol. In some situations bio-retinol does a better job at transforming the look of aging skin, as UV rays compromise the effectiveness of retinol⁵, making it less stable when exposed to light and air.
Myth: Bio-Retinol Should Only be Used Sparingly
Not so! You’ll see better results with continued use of bio-retinol. Our skincare products featuring bio-retinol are gentle enough for regular use.
Our Advanced Protection Cream features bio-retinol derived from the bidens pilosa plant, visibly improving the appearance of lines and wrinkles without irritation. The formula, suitable for mature, dry and sensitive skin, is safe to use morning and night after cleansing and applying a serum and before using a face oil.
We also have bio-retinol products to create the best anti-aging nighttime skincare routine. Skin regeneration and repair happen while you sleep, so using skincare during the evening helps improve the process.
Dream Night Serum, our latest formulation, contains algae-derived bio-retinol, plus 2 firming peptides, to improve the look of crow’s feet, fine lines and wrinkles, as well as the deeper wrinkles that develop in mature skin. Use our bio-retinol serum after cleansing and applying other serums and before applying moisturizer like Dream Night Cream for maximum benefit.
Our Dream Night Cream is the perfect addition to your PM routine for a noticeable transformation in a matter of weeks. It contains bio-retinol derived from blue-green microalgae extract, and combined with the other nourishing ingredients, this nightly cream is clinically shown* to visibly firm skin in 2 weeks and reduce the look of dark circles by 80% in 4 weeks. Apply it at night after a cleanser and serum and before putting on face oil.
Myth: Bio-Retinol Isn’t a Stable Skincare Ingredient
False! Bio-retinol is stable like a table compared to traditional retinol. In fact, bio-retinol stands up better to sunlight and air exposure when compared to its popular counterpart.
*Based on a third-party clinical study conducted over 4 weeks on 29 women ages 33-60.
Sources
1. (March 15, 2024). What Is Bio-Retinol & How Does It Compare To Traditional Retinol? Wildcraft. Retrieved January 31, 2025, from, https://wildcraftcare.ca/blogs/good-habits-magazine/what-is-bio-retinol-how-does-it-compare-to-traditional-retinol
2. Retinol is dead, long live Bio-Retinol! Horace. Retrieved February 10, 2025, from, https://horace.com/en/howtos/bio-retinol-skin
3. Piazza, O. (November 10, 2022). Bio-Retinol VS Retinol: What’s the difference? three ships. Retrieved January 31, 2025, from, https://www.threeshipsbeauty.com/blogs/news/bio-retinol-vs-retinol-what-s-the-difference
4. Singh, S. (December 20, 2024). Understanding Retinol Purging; Causes, Effects, And How To Control It. foxtale. Retrieved January 31, 2025, from, https://foxtale.in/blogs/news/tips-on-how-you-can-control-retinoid-purging
5. Venosa, A. (January 19, 2023). Is Your Beauty Routine Making You Photosensitive? Skin Cancer Foundation. Retrieved January 31, 2025, from, https://www.skincancer.org/blog/when-beauty-products-cause-sun-sensitivity/
