Shoppers Saw Fewer Wrinkles With This On-Sale Retinol-Alternative Serum

A friend of mine began using tretinoin, a prescription retinol, a few weeks ago. As is often the case for first-timers incorporating high-strength vitamin-A products, she experienced dryness, flaking, and redness, in addition to a tight, uncomfortable feel and increased sensitivity to UV rays (which is particularly unideal as she lives in sunny California). Of course, the benefits of retinol—softened wrinkles, firmer skin, and clearer pores—usually outweigh its downsides, which typically occur in the initial few weeks as skin acclimates to the ingredient. 

In recent years, however, the beauty world has been abuzz with retinol alternatives; primarily, plant-derived actives that offer similar benefits—sans skin-irritating side effects. Bakuchiol, for instance, or, a blend of sea fennel and cranberry extract, as found in Tatcha’s The Silk Serum. Dubbed a “smoothing retinol alternative,” the formula is a best-seller for the brand, which counts Jennifer Aniston, Adriana Lima, and InStyle editors as fans.

You can shop the Silk Serum 20 percent off right now—but only until June 2. Simply use the code FRIEND24 at checkout to snap up the covetable anti-aging solution, plus more best-sellers from the brand, before they return to full price.

Tatcha The Silk Serum

The Silk Serum is a lightweight, milky elixir that smooths skin texture, refines pores, and whittles wrinkles in mere weeks. The retinol-mimicking formula is safe for sensitive skin (rosacea-prone shoppers even swear by the stuff); and, unlike notoriously drying retinol, the plant-powered serum actually boosts hydration thanks in part to silk proteins.

As for the wrinkle-whittling magic? Cranberry extract supports collagen production, smooths lines, and calms redness, per the brand, while sea fennel increases cell turnover. Together, this duo delivers smoother, younger-looking skin—that feels as soft as it looks, per shoppers. As InStyle senior beauty writer Tamim Alnuweiri noted, the formula smoothed her complexion, “eliminated rough patches,” and diminished her apparent pore size after five weeks—all without irritating her sensitive skin.

Shoppers echo similar sentiments. One reviewer reported a “smoother-looking neck” after two weeks of using the serum. Another shopper, who was looking to reverse significant, visible UV-induced damage, said the skin on their chest had “fewer wrinkles” and an “even” tone after finishing a bottle. Yet another fan, who had avoided retinol due to its drying effects, said the serum “cleared, smoothed, and softened” their skin to “perfection.” 

A 79-year-old shopper noticed a “dramatic reduction” in redness, while yet another shopper with mature skin said they looked and felt “10 years younger” after only a few uses. Finally, another, who had previously used prescription retinol, said the serum diminished their brown spots without making their complexion photosensitive.

For a line-fading, texture-refining serum that acts like retinol, sans irritation, shop The Silk Serum from Tatcha. Remember to use the code FRIEND24 at checkout to snag 20 percent off beforeJune 2. Stock up on more discounted Tatcha favorites while you can, below.

Violet Brightening C Serum

Indigo Overnight Repair

The Dewy Serum