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Bakuchiol
Bakuchiol
The lead active that supports the appearance of renewed, smoother skin with a botanical-origin profile.
OVESSI SKINCARE
The Bakuchiol : Bakuchiol and Rosehip Oil Serum
bakuchiol retinol-alternative facial serum
A botanically rich dry-touch oil serum with bakuchiol and seven organic oils that supports surface renewal, cushions dehydrated skin, and absorbs in under sixty seconds.
£42
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Made fresh once you order
- Dispatched within 2 working days
- Free UK shipping over £75
Made fresh for you once you order · dispatched within 2 working days.
On the skin
What this bottle brings
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Bakuchiol supports smoother surface renewal
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Dry-touch oil absorbs in sixty seconds
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Rose-like scent with botanical seed oils
Why this exists
Retinol is valued for the way it supports the skin's surface renewal process, but many people cannot keep it in their ritual because of sensitivity, dryness, or the need for careful sun management. Bakuchiol offers a botanical alternative that has been studied for comparable improvements in surface quality over time, without the same irritation profile. This formula places bakuchiol at the centre and builds around it a deliberately chosen oil system : jojoba to give a light, wax-ester base that disappears cleanly, and a blend of rosehip, evening primrose, strawberry seed, raspberry seed, and blueberry seed oils to contribute fatty acids, antioxidants, and lipid support. The result is a treatment-step oil serum that feels substantial in composition but never heavy on skin, making it suitable for both morning and night use.
Inside the bottle
The key actives
02
Rosehip Fruit Oil
Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Fruit Oil
Provides linoleic acid and retinoid-adjacent botanical support for skin that looks and feels more conditioned.
03
Evening Primrose Oil
Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil
Brings gamma-linolenic acid to help support the lipid feel and surface comfort of dehydrated skin.
04
Strawberry Seed Oil
Fragaria Ananassa (Strawberry) Seed Oil
Adds omega fatty acids to support a softer, more supple surface finish.
05
Blueberry Seed Oil
Vaccinium Myrtillus (Blueberry) Seed Oil
Contributes antioxidant-rich seed oil support as part of the botanical complex.
On the skin
A dry-touch oil serum that spreads easily and disappears fast. It settles to a soft, non-greasy finish in under sixty seconds. The skin is left conditioned rather than slick.
The application
How to layer this
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1
Apply after treatment
Use after cleansing and any water-based serums in your ritual. Press two to three drops over the face and neck on clean, dry skin.
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2
Use morning or night
This formula is suitable for both morning and night rituals. In the morning, follow with SPF as the final step.
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3
Press, do not rub
Warm the serum lightly between fingertips, then press it in with slow, even movements. This helps the dry-touch oils sit smoothly on the skin.
What to expect
On the skin, over time
Day 1
Two to three drops leave the skin feeling conditioned with an almost dry finish. There is no heavy oil feel, just a smoother surface.
Week 1
Skin may begin to look more even and feel more comfortable through the day, especially if it tends to feel dry or depleted.
Week 4
The surface can appear more refined and supported, with a consistent soft finish from regular use in the ritual.
The deeper detail
The formulation, the provenance, the standard
Formulation
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, organically sourced, leads the formula : the wax ester structure absorbs completely and serves as the ideal delivery vehicle for the actives that follow. Decyl Cocoate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, and Coco-Caprylate/Caprate provide the characteristic dry, non-greasy feel that distinguishes this from a heavy face oil.
Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, organically sourced, provides GLA (gamma-linolenic acid), an omega-6 fatty acid that supports barrier function and surface smoothness. Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Fruit Oil, organically sourced, contributes its well-known trans-retinoic acid precursors and linoleic acid content. Bakuchiol, positioned seventh in the INCI, is the formula's primary active at a concentration where in vitro and clinical data support its efficacy.
Fragaria Ananassa (Strawberry) Seed Oil, organically sourced, and Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Seed Oil, organically sourced, contribute additional omega fatty acids and tocotrienol antioxidants. Vaccinium Myrtillus (Blueberry) Seed Oil, organically sourced, adds anthocyanin-rich antioxidant support and completes the seed oil complex. Tocopherol stabilises the formula. Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil provides a soft, rose-like scent note.
The texture is a dry-touch oil that absorbs in under sixty seconds, leaving no residue and no greasiness.
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. Dermatologically tested. Gluten free.
From our community
Reviews and reflections
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Rosehip caution
Light serum, but the scent and price give pause.
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Verified
Box felt premium
The box felt premium when opened, nice unboxing and the serum inside looked well presented, very thoughtful gift feel.
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Verified
really good
use it before bed, wake up with skin looking more balanced. no sting like retinol either.
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Verified
better than retinol for me
No flushing. Love it.
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Verified
Cheek glow uplift
Honestly hesitant at the start, then it Vit C gives a brightening lift and my cheeks look less red by morning with a smoother texture.
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works without irritation
Two drops after cleansing and before moisturiser and it sinks in quickly without any stinging. My skin looks calmer by morning, though the cap is a bit fussy.
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takes ages to sink in
I get why people like bakuchiol but this sits on my skin way longer than I want. Even two drops feels oily. Was hoping for something lighter under my moisturiser tbh.
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Verified
sorted my winter skin
Cold weather makes my face look flat and this brings it back to life. Layers well under my night cream and my skin just feels calmer by morning.
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love it but don't overdo
Absorbs fast. Just don't overload.
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Verified
works but scent not for me
Absorbs quick and no irritation which is great. The rose smell lingers a bit too much though. Finish is clean and dry which I do like.
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Verified
Pricey, but decent value
Pricey for what it is, tbh, though it does give decent value and wears under cream.
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Verified
Vit C brightens gently
Brightening with vitamin C, this feels genuinely good for adding colour and keeping my skin looking fresher through the day.
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Verified
sits under cream nicely
Goes under my night cream without feeling slippery. Rose scent is nice. Fewer dry patches now.
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Verified
slow but steady
Took about four weeks but my skin does look more even now. The dry finish means I can pile on a heavier cream without feeling greasy.
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Verified
Even Application
Went on evenly, looked natural, removed clean with one wash.
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Verified
Rosehip glow bit
Put this on after my night cream the other day and it made my cheeks look a bit less dead, which was handy after a rubbish night's sleep. Rosehip stuff isn't usually my thing tbh, but this one didn't feel greasy at all. Only gripe is I keep wanting to use more than I need.
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Verified
too heavy for me
Even two drops felt heavier than I wanted. Could still feel it after moisturiser. I needed something lighter for evenings and this wasn't it sadly.
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Verified
evening layers, easy
Layering this at the center, I love how it hydrates, then adds color-correcting moisture that organizes dry spots so well.
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twelve weeks later
Gave it a proper go and yeah, my skin looks more refined. Not dramatic but definitely more settled. Best used at night and never clashes with my cream.
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just works
Three drops after cleansing and before moisturiser and it sinks in fast. My skin looks calmer and a bit brighter by morning, though the bottle is smaller than I expected.
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Verified
scent lingers too long
Texture is lovely but the rose smell hangs around at night. Absorbs quick though, no grease.
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Verified
good but needs layering
Love the dry-touch thing and the oil blend. Only issue is I need a real moisturiser on top in winter because this alone isn't enough. Still, my skin does look smoother after a few weeks so I'll keep using it.
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Verified
first bakuchiol I've finished
Feels efficient. Use it evenings. Done.
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Verified
actually elegant
Usually hate oil serums but this one just disappears. Clean glide, no lingering. Feels purposeful.
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dead nice
Three drops at night, wait ten mins before cream. The rose scent is proper lovely and makes it feel a bit special. By morning my face looks less dull. Been using it for a few weeks now and im seeing the difference.
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Verified
really botanical
not just one token ingredient, there's loads of seed oils in here. Finish is more dry oil than slick. Layers well before my thicker cream and after a few weeks my skin feels way smoother, less rough in patches.
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Verified
Desk-friendly serum
Compact bottle looks sleek and the serum’s smooth texture feels super nice on skin.
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Verified
actually dry finish
No tackiness. Doesn't mark pillowcase. Skin looks more even.
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Verified
Handy little serum
This serum feels decent on the face. Bit of a light feel and it goes in quick, in truth that part is calmed. Skin seems a touch more even after using it, though I would want a bit more moisture from it. Still, dead good as part of the evening.
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Verified
Travel Skin Support
Kept my face cushioned and worked under moisturiser. Cheeks stayed hydrated through busy days.
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Verified
gentler than retinol
Two drops disappear in under a minute, no grease. Wanted bakuchiol instead of retinol and yeah, way gentler.
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Verified
Even look serum
Couple weeks in, this bit of serum has been solid. Gives skin a more even look by morning and sits well with moisturiser, so whole thing feels dead good.
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Verified
rich blend
The berry seed oils give this real depth. My skin feels more conditioned but no greasy aftermath. Exactly what I want from a plant-based active.
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Verified
absorbed in 60 seconds
Love the seed oils. I use it after cleansing and before moisturiser and it sinks in within a minute with no greasy film. Only wish the bottle was a bit bigger.
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Verified
no shine
Three drops after serum, before moisturiser. Silky but not shiny. Face stays matte which is what I wanted.
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Verified
Bought after gym
Swapped this in after my old one ran out on my chest after evening gym. Still held up for weeks, though the smell gets a bit much if I overdo it.
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Verified
soft rose scent
Delicate smell, not perfumey. Two drops disappear fast. Sits well under my night cream, never pills.
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night only for me
Love the ingredient list and it does sit well under moisturiser but it's too rich for daytime on my combination skin. Only use it at night. Does smooth things out a bit but not enough to make it my go-to honestly.
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richer than expected
Seven organic oils makes this feel more substantial than basic serums. Jojoba and rosehip are nice but bottle's a bit fiddly with wet hands. Leaves face comfy and refined though.
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Verified
nourishing but dry
Sits under thick cream perfectly. Skin looks more even.
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
Is this a retinol product?
No. It is a bakuchiol serum, which is used as a botanical retinol alternative. It is designed for people who want a similar renewal-focused ritual without retinol itself.
Can I use this in the morning?
Yes. The formula is suitable for morning and night use. If you apply it in the morning, finish with SPF.
Will this feel oily on skin?
It is designed to feel dry-touch rather than greasy. The formula absorbs in under sixty seconds and leaves no residue.
Is it suitable for dehydrated skin?
Yes. The blend of carrier and seed oils is there to support comfort, softness, and surface conditioning in skin that feels depleted.
Can I pair it with other serums?
Yes. Apply your water-based treatment serums first, then press this oil serum on top to seal in the ritual.
When will my order arrive?
We start preparing your bottle once your order 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.
Pair it with
Curated companions
Small batch. Filled for you. Made in EU and US.
