Retinol Facial Serum 30ml: Dual-action renewal serum with Bakuchiol
skinChemists - The Cosmeceutical Skincare Company. Award-winning British luxury skincare with pharmacy roots reaching back to 1955. High-performance actives in routines that take just two minutes.
Why you'll love it
Fine lines and wrinkles appear reduced as Retinol supports the skin's natural renewal process
Skin texture looks refined and the surface smoother within a few weeks
Bakuchiol works alongside the Retinol, delivering renewal benefits at a gentler overall dose
The complexion looks more even and less dull with consistent evening use
Dryness and flaking feel kept in check by Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate and Aloe Vera
Silky, silicone-smoothed texture glides on and gives an immediate soft-focus finish
A serum format layers under your night cream instead of replacing it
What it is
A renewal serum built on the same dual-active approach as the night cream, delivered in a lighter, faster-absorbing format that sits underneath a moisturizer rather than instead of one. Retinol, a vitamin A derivative, supports the skin's natural renewal process overnight and is the most extensively studied ingredient in skincare for the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and uneven texture.
Bakuchiol, a plant-derived compound from the babchi seed, supports a similar process through a different route and with a gentler profile. Pairing the two means the formula can deliver visible renewal without relying on a high Retinol concentration.
The base is engineered for comfort and slip. Dimethicone and Polysilicone-11 give a silky, smoothing texture with an immediate soft-focus finish, while Sodium Hyaluronate and Glycerin hydrate, and Allantoin with Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder soothe the feel of dryness that renewal actives can cause.
Key ingredients
Retinol
A vitamin A derivative that supports the skin's natural renewal process overnight. With consistent use it helps refine the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and uneven texture.
Bakuchiol
A plant-derived compound from the babchi seed that supports skin renewal with a gentler profile than Retinol. It allows the formula to deliver renewal benefits at a lower overall Retinol dose.
Allantoin
A soothing, skin-conditioning ingredient that helps calm the feel of dryness and irritation. It is particularly useful in a formula containing Retinol.
Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid)
A form of hyaluronic acid that attracts and holds moisture at the skin's surface. It counteracts the dryness that renewal actives can cause.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
A calming botanical extract that helps soothe and hydrate. It supports a comfortable feel while the skin renews.
Who it's for
This serum is ideal for anyone wanting to address fine lines, wrinkles, uneven texture or dullness, and who prefers a serum they can layer under an existing night cream rather than switching moisturizer. The Bakuchiol pairing makes it a good option for people who have found Retinol too harsh in the past.
If you are new to Retinol, start with two or three nights a week. Suitable for all skin types, though very sensitive skin should introduce it slowly. Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding - speak to your healthcare practitioner first.
What to expect
Skin looks immediately smoother thanks to the soft-focus finish, and feels comfortable rather than tight. Within two to three weeks the surface typically looks more refined in the morning. Retinol works gradually, so the clearest improvements to fine lines and texture build over eight to twelve weeks of consistent use. Mild dryness in the first two weeks is a normal adjustment.
How to use
Apply three to four drops to clean, dry skin in the evening, two to three nights a week to begin with.
Smooth over the face and neck, avoiding the immediate eye area and the corners of the mouth, then follow with your night cream. Build up to nightly use as your skin adjusts. Because Retinol increases sun sensitivity, daily SPF the following morning is essential. Avoid layering with strong exfoliating acids on the same night - alternate evenings instead.
Product attributes
Brand: skinChemists
Product name: Retinol Bakuchiol Facial Serum 30ml
Product type: Dual-action renewal serum
Size: 30ml
Cruelty-free: Yes
Is it vegan: Yes
Contains SPF: No
Key actives: Retinol and Bakuchiol
Supporting ingredients: Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate and Aloe Vera
Primary concerns: Fine lines, wrinkles, uneven texture and dullness
Suitable for: All skin types; introduce gradually on sensitive skin
Texture: Silky, fast-absorbing serum
Finish: Smooth, soft-focus
Routine position: After cleansing, before night cream
Recommended use: Two to three evenings a week, building to nightly
Application areas: Face and neck, avoiding the immediate eye area
Frequently asked questions
Why does a Retinol serum also contain Bakuchiol?
Bakuchiol supports a similar renewal process through a different route. Pairing the two delivers renewal benefits without needing a high Retinol concentration that many people can't tolerate.
Should I use this or the Retinol night cream?
Use the serum if you want to keep your existing moisturizer, or the night cream if you would rather have one product do both jobs. Using both is unnecessary.
Do I need SPF the next day?
Yes, and it isn't optional. Retinol increases sun sensitivity, so daily sun protection is essential while using this product.
Can I use it every night?
If you are new to Retinol, start with two or three nights a week and build up as your skin tolerates it.
Can I use it with exfoliating acids?
Not on the same night. Alternate evenings instead, to avoid over-exfoliating.
Can I use it with Vitamin C?
Yes, but use the Vitamin C in the morning and this serum in the evening.
Can I use it while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Retinol is generally not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Speak to your healthcare practitioner before use.
Can I use it around my eyes?
Avoid the immediate eye area. You can apply carefully to the outer eye area where expression lines appear.
How long will the product last?
Used as directed, roughly two to three months for the 30ml bottle.
Caution:
This is a cosmetic product for external use only, and all results will be temporary; individual results may vary. Carry out a patch test before application, and do not apply to broken, damaged, or sunburnt skin. Avoid contact with eyes; rinse thoroughly with water if contact occurs. If redness, irritation, or discomfort occurs, discontinue use immediately and consult a healthcare practitioner. Consult your healthcare practitioner before starting a new skin treatment, or if pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medication. Do not ingest. Store out of direct sunlight in a cool, dry place, and keep out of the reach of children.