By now we all know that retinol is a superstar ingredient that helps eliminate and reduce signs of aging, improve appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin texture. If you’re looking for the one anti-aging ingredient that does it all, retinol is probably the answer. Retinol however is synthetic and can be highly irritating to skin. It’s a chemically synthesized compound derived from retinoids in a laboratory or from animal sources. Throw in harsh or toxic ingredients and you could severely disrupt your skin barrier health. If you want the benefits of retinol inside natural and clean products, there are many green and organic skincare brands making high-performance retinol products. I’ve rounded up the best clean and natural retinol products for you below.

In this list of natural and organic retinol products, I’ve included retinol serums, creams and oils. These retinol products either have synthetic retinol, a natural alternative to retinol like Bakuchiol or a mixture of both.

Bakuchiol, derived from the traditional Indian and Chinese medicinal plant babchi, is the only plant-based alternative to retinol that’s clinically proven to have similar effects as synthetic retinol like:

• Improved skin texture
• Increase in collagen production
• Increase in firmness and elasticity
• Reduction of the appearance of wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and acne

But, and this is a big but, natural alternatives to retinol will NOT be able to provide the same results as retinol. For the real deal, you need retinol, which is why many organic and clean beauty brands will include retinol even though it’s not natural.

The description under each retinol product will say what kind of retinol it contains. If you’re pregnant, you should avoid products with retinol and choose pregnancy safe retinol serums with natural alternatives instead. Scroll on for the best clean retinol serums made with natural and organic ingredients.

 

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Marie Veronique Gentle Retinol Night Serum

• High tech formula of microencapsulated retinol, Vitamin C and stabilization assist from Vitamin E
• Proprietary microencapsulated resveratrol and superoxide dismutase (SOD) for a powerful antioxidant boost
• Powerful organic skincare with the addition of synthetic retinol
• $110 (save 20% here until Oct 23, 2022)

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Retinol Overnight Serum

• Contains a combination of 2.5% Bio-Retinol and Retinol
• Evening primrose encapsulated retinol (innovation on the market and exclusive to Juice Beauty)
• Helps smooth skin, reduce the appearance of lines & wrinkles and evens skin tone and texture
• $78

Cyber Week: 25% off at Juice Beauty

Leahlani Aqua A Retinoid Renewing Serum

• Formulated with low-irritation HPR retinoids
• Gently promotes cellular turnover to help clear breakouts and smooth fine lines
• Plumping ceramides strengthen the skin barrier and improve elasticity
• Botanical antioxidants and marine superfoods revitalize, tone and protect
• $74

Cyber Week: 25% off

 

Bloomeffects Black Tulip Retinoid Serum

• Contains a combination of Granactive Retinoid and natural retinol alternative Bakuchiol
• Granactive Retinoid helps to promote skin turnover and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, without redness or irritation
• 37 botantical extracts including Centella Asiatica Extract, Bisabolol, Niacinamide, Hemp Seed Oil Complex, Lingonberry and Saponaria Pumila Stem Cells
• First skincare product to harness the power of upcycled Black Tulips from Dutch farms
• $110

Cyber Week: 35% off + Free Royal Tulip Nectar ($69 value)

Youth To The People Retinal Niacinamide Youth Serum

• Contains 0.15% Stabilized Retinaldehyde, the most potent retinol next to an prescription and converts the fastest to retinoic acid
• 5% Niacinamide to boost efficacy of retinal
• Hyaluronic acid, adaptive a (Ashwagandha, Maitake, Shiitake, Reishi) and ceramides (Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP + Ceramide EOP)
• $68

Cyber Week: 25% off

Common Heir 0.2% Retinol Serum

• Twist off capsules of concentrated retinol, algae oil, spilanthes, astralagus and more
• Vegan and biodegradable capsules
• 0.2% retinol at a higher level than many other retinol products
• Formulated with melanated skin in mind
• These are very strong!
• $88

 

Three Ships Dream Bio-Retinol + Shorea Butter Night Cream

• Natural, plant-based retinol alternative from Picão Preto, a medicinal herb that’s native to Brazil
• 3% Vegan squalane and beautiful seed butters like Shorea and Murumuru
• Affordable and 100% natural skincare brand
• Takes transparency to the next level with all % of actives marked
• $35 (discount code OBL saves 20% at Three Ships)

100% Pure Multivitamin Antioxidants PM Facial Oil

• A lush nighttime facial oil with retinol
• Supercharged with vitamins E, C, D3, and CoQ10
• Medium weight oil in a base of Jojoba and enriched with Rosehip Oil, Sea Buckthorn Oil, Green Tea Seed Oil and Apricot Kernel Oil
• $58

Cocokind Resurfacing Sleep Mask

• Contains natural alternative to retinol Bakuchiol
• Bakuchiol at 1% – Helps diminish the appearance of dark spots, uneven tone, and fine lines and wrinkles
• Gently resurfaces skin overnight to smooth texture, even tone, and reduce the appearance of dark spots
• Beta glucan, wild indigo extract and squalane
• $22 (save with code OBL at Cocokind)

 

Kypris Moonlight Catalyst

• Natural retinol alternative serum
• Organic and wildcrafted ingredients synthesized with green chemistry in a water-based serum
• Fermented pumpkin enzymes softens and refines skin’s appearance
• $98

 

Mahalo Hawaiian Nights Phyto Retinoic Restoring Night Serum

• Organic face oil that contains only natural alternatives to retinol
• All-trans-retinoic acid rich rosehip oil, botanical retinol alternatives Ayurvedic babchi bakuchiol and tropical cacay oil
• Helps boost dermal collagen production and thicken the epidermis
• Organic and highly vibrant Hawaiian ingredients

Indie Lee Retinol Alternative Cream

• Contains natural alternatives to retinol only
• Retinol alternative Rambutan improves appearance of elasticity, firmness fine lines and wrinkles
• Paracress reduces the visible signs of aging
• Squalane boosts moisture retention and plumps skin
• Orange Milk Tree extract soothes, plumps and restores glowy skin
• Cosmos Natural certified
• $72 (Discount code OBL saves 15% at Indie Lee)

Cyber Week: 25% off

 

African Botanics Fleur d’Afrique Intensive Recovery Oil

• Face Oil that contains encapsulated Retinol with time release technology
• Pure Vitamin E, Vitamin C, CoQ10 and advanced Marine Micro-algae extract
• Night-blooming Baobab extract and ‘The Queen of the Night’ aka Jasmine Grandiflorum hand-picked at dusk
• Ultra luxurious face oil that’s a crazy splurge at $250 but noticeably works
• $250

Naturopathica Retinol Collection

• Holistic skincare brand with a retinol collection combining synthetic retinol and natural retinol alternative Bakuchiol
• Naturopathica Holy Basil & Gorgeous Retinol Ageless Night Oil features 1% retinoid blend for fine lines and wrinkles
• Lightweight liquid oil with blue hue
• Contains adaptogenic herbs to fight skin stress
• Naturopathica Passion Fruit & Retinol Ageless Eye Serum contains retinol, antioxidant-rich passion fruit and a targeted peptide

 

Luzern Nuit Creme

• Luxurious cream containing Retinol, Peptides, Bakuchiol, and proprietary MFC proprietary MFC ™ Multi-Fermentation Complex (a powerful blend of oxygen, peptides, enzymes, hyaluronic acid, probiotics, and vitamins)
• Multi-molecular weight hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C, lipids and brightening Swiss Alpine Complex of 7 organic Swiss extracts containing brightening flavonoids, phenolic acids and iridoids
• A very rich and decadent cream that still has a somewhat whipped texture
• $325 (Discount code OBL saves 15%)

Bluh Alchemy Botanic-Retinol Cell Renewal Concentrate

• Contains only natural alternative to retinol Bakuchiol
• An organic aloe leaf juice and jasmine hydrosol base with 15 of the world’s most innovative ingredients, including cellular extracted flame tree, emu apple and Tasmanian kelp, cacay oil, watermelon bioferment and vegetable ceramides
• Provides hydration, nutrition and protection
• $140

Cyber Week: 20% off here

Dr Different Vitalift A Forte

• K-beauty retinol brand 
• Contains retinal, which is faster than retinol and provides better and faster results without adverse reactions.
• Liposome technology stabilizes retinal and enhances skin firmness. It prevents possible side effects by ensuring the right elements are delivered at the right place.
• $52