Works for
Anti-agingRetinol, Retinal + 1 moreWorks well
“Helps minimise the look of fine lines and wrinkles”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains retinal, retinol.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Evens skin toneRetinol, RetinalWorks well
“Improves uneven skin tone”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: retinal, retinol.
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
MoisturizingSqualane, Glycerin + 6 moreWorks
“Hydrates the complexion”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
allantoin, glycerin.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: caprylic/capric triglyceride, squalane.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Retinol, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract + 1 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (retinol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
ExfoliationSide benefit · Retinol, AllantoinWorks well
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: retinol.
Anti-blemishSide benefit · Retinol, Retinal + 2 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: retinal, retinol. These ingredients is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Retinol, Retinal + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Squalane~5.5–8.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneGlycerin~3.8–5.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinCaprylic/capric triglyceride~3–4.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideCetearyl olivate~2.1–3.2%
Sorbitan olivate~1.8–2.7%
Retinol~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating
More about RetinolRetinal~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- High
One step removed from the biologically active in skin form of vitamin A. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinal is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. Concentrations of 0.05% and 0.1% are shown to be effective. It can, however, be irritating
More about RetinalAllantoin~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinCrocus sativus stigma extract~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pseudozyma epicola/evening primrose oil ferment extract~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tocopherol~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolRosmarinus officinalis leaf extract~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
More about Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractOryza sativa bran extract~0.4–0.9%
Cetearyl alcohol~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholHelianthus annuus extract~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Helianthus annuus extractHydroxyapatite~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dextrin~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that is used to stabilize the product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about DextrinCarbomer~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerSodium gluconate~0.1–0.35%
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolEthylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.2%
Sodium hydroxide~0.05–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Water, Squalane, Glycerin, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Cetearyl olivate, Sorbitan olivate, Retinol, Retinal, Allantoin, Crocus sativus stigma extract, Pseudozyma epicola/evening primrose oil ferment extract, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, Oryza sativa bran extract, Cetearyl alcohol, Helianthus annuus extract, Hydroxyapatite, Dextrin, Carbomer, Sodium gluconate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium hydroxide
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| BiossanceSqualane + Retinol Night SerumYOUR PRODUCT | DermaquestStem Cell 3D Active Retinol Repair Serum - 1% | REMEDY SCIENCEREMEDY for healthy aging | SKIN 1004.Madagascar Centella Retinol 0.2 Boosting Shot Ampoule | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 88% | 87% | 86% |
| Price | — | — | $35.00 | $6.97 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 9 | 6 of 9 | 5 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Niacinamide | Madecassoside |
| Irritancy | High | High | Medium | High |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Farmacy Beauty 1% Vitamin A Retinol SerumPlaisir Renewing Retinol Booster Serum
Product summary
"Biossance - Squalane + Retinol Night Serum" is effective for: Anti-blemish, Exfoliation, Evens skin tone and Anti-aging
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- this product contains an effective form of Retinoids (vitamin A): retinol 1.50% - 2.20% and retinal 1.30% - 2.00%. Retinoids are potent multitasking actives. They work to improve and prevent early signs of aging, reduce hyperpigmentation (age spots and post-acne marks), and prevent inflamed blemishes and clogged pores. The downside of Retinoids is that they can be irritating. If you are not already using a Retinoid in your routine, it is best to start slowly and apply the Retinoid product only a few times per week. If your skin tolerates it well, you can gradually increase the frequency to daily.
- In addition, this product contains Allantoin (1.10% - 1.60%). Allantoin is helpful in wound-healing and can help restore the skin barrier faster. It might also be able to improve scars, but the evidence is not very strong for this.
- Humectants (glycerin 3.80% - 5.70% and allantoin 1.10% - 1.60%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Biossance" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails from 55.00$ up to 72.00$ in the United States, for 95.00CA$ in Canada and from 58.00£ up to 440.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol)ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4
- 5
- 6Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.