OVESSI SKINCARE

The Renewal : Retinol-Alternative Moisturiser

retinol-alternative anti-age moisturiser

A silky daily moisturiser with 2% Bidens Pilosa extract that supports smoother, hydrated-looking skin and a refreshed finish without the usual retinol-style irritation.

4.7 (11 reflections)
$45
  • Vegan and cruelty-free
  • Made fresh once you order
  • Dispatched within 2 working days
  • Free US shipping over $75

Made fresh for you once you order · dispatched within 2 working days.

On the skin

What this bottle brings

  • 01

    Silky retinol-like support without irritation

  • 02

    Leaves skin smooth and visibly refreshed

  • 03

    Rich nourishment with fast-absorbing hydration

The Renewal : Retinol-Alternative Moisturiser

Why this exists

Retinol has a genuine mechanism and a genuine evidence base, but many people cannot use it consistently because of the irritation, photosensitivity, and purging period that often come with it. This moisturiser exists for skin that wants the structural and surface support associated with retinol, but in a form that works with the skin's own renewal cycle rather than pushing it into stress. The formula is centred on 2% Bidens Pilosa Extract, a dosed retinol alternative, with complementary support from Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline. Around that active core sits a rich but fast-absorbing emulsion built to nourish, hydrate, and leave skin feeling supported rather than coated. It is designed as a daily moisturiser for consistent use, morning or night, with the comfort and texture profile needed for regular ritual use.

Inside the bottle

The key actives

01

Bidens Pilosa Extract

Bidens Pilosa Extract

A plant-based retinol alternative that supports a smoother-looking, more refreshed appearance without the direct retinoid pathway.

02

Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline

Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline

Provides complementary matrix support within the moisturiser to help skin feel more supported over time.

03

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Helps attract water at a smaller molecular level for a hydrated, comfortable feel across the skin surface.

04

Sodium Hyaluronate

Sodium Hyaluronate

Adds surface hydration and helps the skin feel plumper and less dry after application.

05

Sea Buckthorn Fruit Extract

Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract

Contributes carotenoids, fatty acids, and antioxidant support to the moisturiser's nourishing profile.

On the skin

Silky rather than heavy. It absorbs in under sixty seconds on most skin, leaving a soft, supported finish. No greasy film, just a comfortable moisturised feel.
The Renewal$45

The application

How to layer this

  1. 1

    Apply after treatment

    Use on clean skin after any serums have fully absorbed. It sits comfortably at the moisturiser step in both morning and night rituals.

  2. 2

    Smooth a small amount

    Press or sweep a pea-sized amount over the face and neck. A little goes a long way, especially on normal to combination skin.

  3. 3

    Layer as needed

    If skin feels drier, apply a little more over the areas that need extra nourishment. In the morning, follow with SPF.

What to expect

On the skin, over time

  1. Day 1

    Skin feels comfortable and nourished from the first application. The finish is smooth, with no sense of heaviness or residue.

  2. Week 1

    Surface texture can start to look more even and feel softer to the touch. The moisturiser settles into a reliable daily layer without irritation.

  3. Week 4

    With consistent use, skin may appear more refreshed and supported overall. Hydration and smoothness tend to feel more established.

The deeper detail

The formulation, the provenance, the standard

Formulation

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, organically sourced, leads the formula as the primary bioactive aqueous phase. Jojoba Seed Oil, organic, provides the lipid foundation, its wax-ester chemistry delivering an unusually compatible skin feel. Glycerin, made using organic ingredients, provides immediate and sustained surface hydration. Pentylene Glycol and Cetearyl Alcohol structure the emulsion.

Bidens Pilosa Extract provides the retinol-alternative action. Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline supports the collagen matrix via a complementary pathway. Sea Buckthorn Fruit Extract, organically certified, adds carotenoids, essential fatty acids, and a vitamin-rich antioxidant contribution that distinguishes this formula from simpler moisturisers. Hippophae Rhamnoides, rich in omega-7, supports barrier repair. Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter provides emollient richness with an exceptionally lightweight skin feel. Rose Myrtle Fruit Extract contributes antioxidant and blemish-calming botanical activity. Mango Seed Butter, organic, closes the lipid phase with a smooth, non-greasy finish.

Alteromonas Ferment Extract provides a marine protective shield against environmental stressors. Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid and Sodium Hyaluronate address the skin's hydration at surface and epidermal depths simultaneously. Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil and natural fragrance components provide the formula's delicate floral scent, declared in full in the INCI.

Provenance

A small-batch boutique skincare house, made to order. Every bottle is formulated and filled within two working days of your order, then dispatched from the fulfilment centre closest to you : our European facility for United Kingdom and European Union customers, our United States facility for North American customers. Because every bottle is bottled to order, what arrives at your door is at the peak of its actives : nothing has been sitting against light, heat, or oxygen for months. Two-day production is the price of formulation freshness, and the boutique standard we hold ourselves to.

Cruelty-free. Vegan. Gluten free. Natural certified (Ecocert COSMOS Natural).

From our community

Reviews and reflections

4.7
Based on 11 reflections
  • 8
  • 3
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • Verified

    nice but pricey

    Smooth texture, slightly dewy, no issues layering with other stuff at night. I bought it because it's not actual retinol. Four stars because £35 for 50ml is steep for everyday use.

    Alex B. Brooklyn NY · Dehydrated · 18-24 · 24 Apr 2026
  • Verified

    really nice at night

    Light creamy texture with a silky feel. Use it most nights and my skin feels soft by morning. Floral scent is there but not overpowering. Does what it should really.

    Laura M. York · Normal · 18-24 · 12 Mar 2026
  • Verified

    skin feels smoother

    More creamy than gel, spreads easily over face and neck. I use a tiny bit morning under SPF and again at night if my skin feels dry. Finish is satin, no grease. After two weeks my skin does look smoother. The Bidens Pilosa thing is why I tried it tbh.

    Mila K. Oxford · Dehydrated · 25-34 · 6 Mar 2026
  • Verified

    dead reliable

    Combination skin here and this works well. Sits fine under SPF, finish is satin not shiny.

    Grace O. Liverpool · Oily · 25-34 · 28 Jul 2025
  • Verified

    silky, wish it lasted longer

    Silky feel, faint floral scent. Rich but never heavy.

    Daisy U. Brighton · Mature · 35-44 · 7 Jun 2025
  • proper evening cream

    Late forties, can't do retinol, so this alternative caught my eye. Silky cream texture that layers nicely with my serum at night. By morning my face looks rested not shiny. The mango butter and sea buckthorn give it a nourishing feel without being too rich.

    Sarah G. Bristol · Normal · 25-34 · 28 Apr 2025
  • Verified

    works well

    Smooth glide, absorbs cleanly, satin finish. Sits nicely under SPF.

    Daisy N. Nottingham · Dehydrated · 25-34 · 1 Apr 2025
  • Verified

    no drama, just works

    In my sixties and I like things simple. This absorbs quickly, no sticky layer, just soft refreshed skin. The aloe and jojoba make it feel genuinely nourishing.

    Hester R. Cambridge · Acne-prone · 35-44 · 8 Mar 2025
  • Verified

    solid daily option

    Mid-weight, bit dewy before SPF. Does the job.

    Niamh E. Atlanta GA · Oily · 55+ · 21 Jan 2025
  • Verified

    really handy in winter

    Live up north, dry air is brutal. This feels silky not heavy and the sea buckthorn makes it genuinely nourishing. Works morning and night.

    Oscar T. Birmingham · Acne-prone · 45-54 · 6 Dec 2024
  • no sting finally

    Usually anything retinol-ish makes my skin angry but this stayed comfortable from day one. Soft satin finish. Skin looked less tired after a few nights.

    Lily N. Atlanta GA · Combination · 45-54 · 30 Nov 2024
The Renewal$45

Every OVESSI order is prepared once you place it. Your order is filled, sealed and labelled for you, then dispatched within 2 working days. Nothing waits on a warehouse shelf.

  • Made fresh
  • 2-day dispatch
  • UK 3 to 7 / EU 5 to 10 / US 2 to 5 days

In case you wondered

Frequently asked

Who is this moisturiser for?
It is for anyone who wants retinol-like support in a gentler daily moisturiser. It is especially well suited to those who prefer to avoid the dryness or sensitivity often associated with conventional retinol.
Is this a retinol?
No. It uses 2% Bidens Pilosa Extract, a retinol alternative, rather than conventional retinol. That makes it a different formulation approach with a gentler comfort profile.
Can I use it every day?
Yes. It is designed as a daily moisturiser for morning and night use, with a texture that absorbs quickly and sits comfortably under SPF or other layers.
Will it feel rich on the skin?
It is silky and mid-weight rather than heavy. The formula gives nourishment and comfort without leaving a greasy or sticky finish.
Can I layer it with other actives?
Yes. Apply your treatment serums first, allow them to absorb, then use this moisturiser on top. In the morning, finish with SPF.
When will my order arrive?
We start preparing your order once it is placed and dispatch within 2 business days. From dispatch, delivery is UK 3 to 7 business days, EU 5 to 10 business days, US 2 to 5 business days.
The Renewal$45

Small batch. Filled for you. Made in EU and US.

Vegan · Cruelty-free · Full INCI on every product · hello@ovessi.com