This is a sponsored review with affiliate links. All opinions are my own.
I have a confession to make - I’m in the middle of a love affair with Papa Recipe (or, more specifically, with their serums). These formulas are amazing and the bottles are HUGE! Click on #PapaRecipe to check out my other reviews.
One of the new Papa Recipe products is Retinol Bakuchiol Serum, available on Amazon (save 20% until July 28th with code 203I1BO3 at this link) and ABT global mall. ABT global mall is a recently launched platform that carries Papa Recipe and other brands in their family - check it out here.
While retinol has been a popular anti-aging ingredient for years, bakuchiol is a newer player in the skincare world. Papa Recipe’s formula combines retinol, bakuchiol and adenosine to help with wrinkles, texture, and pigmentation while being gentle on the skin. Retinol increases cellular turnover and promotes the growth of new, healthy cells underneath.
How to use
Spread evenly after toner
Gently pat in
Seal in with moisturizer
Please note some precautions from the brand: avoid using Papa Recipe Retinol Bakuchiol Serum with skin whitening products, exfoliators such as BHA and AHA or if you are pregnant. Temporary peeling may occur during the retinization phase due to increased cell turnover; please do not try to remove the peeling skin by force. If your skin is highly sensitive, test the product in an inconspicuous place first. Be sure to apply SPF daily. For myself I’ll add that once your skin is used to retinoids, you may be able to re-introduce BHA and AHA, but preferably not on the same days as the retinol serum.
Papa Recipe Retinol Bakuchiol Serum has a thin, somewhat watery texture (a pump bottle was the right packaging choice) and a slight medicinal scent. It is fragrance free, but that’s not the same as smell free. I don’t notice it unless I hold the product directly up to my nose. The faint scent doesn’t linger. I follow the serum with moisturizer and have no stickiness or other unpleasant sensations.
My impressions
I really like that this serum contains both retinol and bakuchiol. Sure, bakuchiol has been touted as a “plant based alternative” to retinol, but it’s newer and not as well studied as retinol. What is known though, at least based on the derms I follow, is that bakuchiol makes retinol more stable.
I’ve been using this serum in the evenings. It’s gentle and can be applied daily, but if you are brand new to retinoids please start slow - once or twice a week, then build up to every other day, etc. Experiment and see what works for you. Patch testing is always a good idea.
I didn’t have any peeling or irritation, but I am not new to retinoids. They have been a consistent part of my skincare routine for at least a couple of years. My neck and chest also do great with this, which is a big deal since many other formulas tend to irritate these delicate areas.
Have I mentioned the bottle is HUGE? This comes with a major advantage that should be marketed, in my opinion - this can be used on the body! There’s no magic potion to make stretch marks disappear, but retinoids can improve the condition, texture, and appearance of skin all over. I’ve been applying Papa Recipe Retinol Bakuchiol Serum to my stomach and arms - the parts that show all my body has been through the most. And for the most part I’m fine with my body - it grew two whole humans and continues to care for them daily. But I also like to improve what I can - lovingly applying skincare products to my body, even the areas that are not my favorite, is a form of self care and body respect for me.
Because the serum’s texture is pretty light and liquid, I can cover a large area with not a lot of product - it works awesome. Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but I think the skin on my stomach is looking a little more taught and feels smoother to the touch. My face, neck and chest are doing fine as well, but again - I’ve been using retinoids consistently so it’s harder to see a big difference on my face. My body, however, is new to retinol so it’s easier to notice a change.
Overall, I really like this formula. It’s easy and pleasant to use, the bottle design is visually pleasing, and did you catch that it’s HUGE? Hehehe… Definitely worth a try!
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Papa Recipe Retinol Bakuchiol Serum ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Bakuchiol, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Xanthan Gum, Tromethamine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Adenosine, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Disodium EDTA, Methyl Methacrylate Crossplymer, Retinol, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone, Cholesterol, Tocopheryl Acetate, BHT, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract, BHA, Avena Sativa (Oat) Meal Extract