Beauty Product Of The Week: Andalou Naturals Age Defying Rejuvenating Bundle

"I was sceptical of this plant-based alternative to retinol at first, but it appears mama nature has done it again."

Retinol is known for its fountain-of-youth-like powers, but it doesn't play nice with all skin types. If you have sensitive skin or conditions like rosacea, your skin may not react well to strong topicals like retinol. For example, although the benefits kick in after a few weeks, my skin often peels and feels dry when I introduce retinol into my routine.

So I was very curious to try the Andalou Naturals Age Defying products which feature a plant-based alternative to retinol: bakuchiol. I had yet to try it, but it's slowly becoming a popular substitute to treat fine lines, pigmentation and even skin texture without the side effects.

The Andalou Naturals Age Defying Rejuvenating Bundle includes a serum, moisturiser and eye cream that use this ingredient, all of which I've used regularly in my night-time routine for the last 4 weeks. Full disclosure, we were gifted the Andalou Naturals bundle but with no obligation to review or provide any coverage. Alright, let's get down to the review.

About the products

As you might've gathered, the Andalou Naturals Age Defying Rejuvenating Bundle is designed to reduce signs of ageing (see ya fine lines) and smooth the skin (hello natural glow). It's vegan, cruelty-free and suitable for morning and night. If you want to give all three a go, it's better bang for your buck to buy the bundle at $114.95 instead of picking up the products individually. As well as a breakdown of how each product works, I've included the individual price tags below as well.

Age Defying Plant-Based Retinol Alternative Serum | $44.95

This serum is step 1 of 3 in my skincare regiment before bed. It pairs the bakuchiol with acai fruit extract to soften and firm the skin. The serum is hydrating but not oily, which gets a big ol' tick from me.

After cleansing your skin, apply a light layer of the serum on your face and neck before moisturising. It has a thicc texture that's quite tricky to pump out of the pipette though, so make sure to shake well before use.

Age Defying Rejuvenating Cream | $44.95

As well as the retinol alternative, the moisturiser contains squalane (to lock in moisture) and chokeberry fruit extract (for a boost of hydration). Not only does it reduce fine lines and wrinkles, but it also helps collagen production and elastin growth. You can massage this into your face and décolletage once your serum has soaked into your skin.

Age Defying Rejuvenating Eye Balm | $44.95

Last but not least, it's the eye cream. The Age Defying Rejuvenating Eye Balm is a really gentle and fragrance-free product. The active ingredients include bakuchiol, squalane and cupuacu butter to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes.

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The review

I was sceptical of this plant-based alternative to retinol at first, but it appears mama nature has done it again. Every product in the range is really gentle yet effective. After the first week of using the products, I noticed that the rosacea and dry skin issues I was experiencing (especially around my nose and cheeks) had started to clear up. My skin had been looking a little dull and by week 2, my complexion was already looking tighter and more radiant.

If I had to pick a favourite, it would have to be the moisturiser. I have quite dry and sensitive skin, but this cream worked wonders to lock in moisture without feeling greasy. The serum definitely did the job, but it is on the thicker side and can be tricky to draw out of the dropper. I always give it a good shake before using, but I did resort to tapping it out of the bottle and directly on the palm of my hand more than once.

The final verdict

If your skin is a bit of a sooky baby like mine, I would recommend giving a plant-based alternative like bakuchiol a whirl. Unlike times when I've trialled stronger ingredients like retinol and glycolic acid, I didn't have to endure weeks of dry, congested and inflamed hell before enjoying the perks. My skin is more hydrated, I've experienced fewer breakouts and my complexion looks tighter and brighter after just 4 weeks of using it.

As I mentioned, I also only introduced the products into my evening regime, so you could likely expect more radical results if you use it in the AM too.

You can shop the Age Defying Rejuvenating Range on iHerb or the Andalou Naturals website.

Images: @andalounaturals_anz on Instagram