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Bidens Pilosa Extract
Bidens Pilosa Extract
A natural retinol alternative that supports the look of renewal without the friction of conventional retinol.
OVESSI SKINCARE
The Gaze : Retinol-Alternative Eye Serum
retinol-alternative eye serum
A gentle eye serum that hydrates, nourishes, and supports the look of fine lines and under-eye fatigue with a retinol alternative suited to the delicate orbital zone.
£35
- 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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Softens fine lines with Bidens Pilosa
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Deeply hydrates with dual hyaluronic acid
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Leaves under eyes nourished and luminous
Why this exists
The eye area is uniquely vulnerable: the skin is thinner, trans-epidermal water loss is higher, and signs of fatigue often appear there first. Conventional retinol can be effective, but it is also one of the most likely actives to cause redness, peeling, and sensitivity in this fragile zone. This formula is built around Bidens Pilosa Extract, a natural retinol alternative positioned here at 2% to bring a more considerate approach to renewal. Around that core, the serum layers in dual-weight hyaluronic acid, aloe juice, and a lipid-rich blend of borage, jojoba, and castor oils, so the under-eye area receives both moisture and emollient support. Horse chestnut extract and escin add a further targeted dimension for the look of tiredness, while the finish stays suitable for everyday use morning and night.
Inside the bottle
The key actives
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Dual Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic Acid
Helps attract and hold moisture at the surface and within the formula for a more cushioned under-eye feel.
03
Aloe Juice
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Provides a watery, calming base that supports comfort in the delicate orbital zone.
04
Horse Chestnut Seed Extract and Escin
Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract · Escin
Offers vascular-toning support for the appearance of tired, shadowed under-eyes.
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Borage, Jojoba and Castor Oils
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil · Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil · Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
Nourish and soften the eye area with a lightweight lipid layer designed for periorbital compatibility.
On the skin
Fluid and silky, with a light cushioned glide. It absorbs fully without a heavy after-feel. The finish is soft and lightly luminous rather than greasy.
The application
How to layer this
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1
Apply to clean skin
Use morning and night after cleansing, before moisturiser. Place a small amount around the orbital bone and under-eye area.
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2
Pat in gently
Tap with your ring finger until the serum settles. Avoid rubbing, especially close to the lash line.
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3
Layer your ritual
Follow with moisturiser if desired. In the morning, finish with SPF as the last step in your ritual.
What to expect
On the skin, over time
Day 1
The eye area feels immediately more comfortable and cushioned. The serum absorbs cleanly, with a softer-looking finish at the surface.
Week 1
Under-eye skin can feel better supported and less dry through the day. The area may look a little fresher, especially on mornings after poor sleep.
Week 4
With consistent use, the eye area can appear smoother and more rested. Fine lines and fatigue are still visible, but the overall look is more hydrated and refined.
The deeper detail
The formulation, the provenance, the standard
Formulation
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, organically sourced, leads the formula : its high water content and calming polyaccharides make it the ideal primary carrier for a formula targeting sensitive periorbital skin. Glycerin, made using organic ingredients, provides immediate surface moisture retention. Jojoba Seed Oil, organic, delivers the primary lipid phase.
Bidens Pilosa Extract provides the retinol-alternative activity at a meaningful concentration. Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, organically certified, contributes exceptional gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) content : a structural lipid particularly associated with barrier repair in sensitive and reactive skin. Castor Seed Oil provides viscosity and a slight filming effect that the eye area's loose skin structure benefits from. Mango Seed Butter, organic, adds a further layer of emollient richness. Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline supports the collagen matrix alongside the Bidens Pilosa.
Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract (Horse Chestnut) and Escin provide vascular-toning support that addresses the blood pooling and microcirculatory sluggishness behind the dark, tired appearance of the under-eye zone. Alteromonas Ferment Extract, a marine biotechnology ingredient, contributes a defensive shield against environmental stressors. CI 77163 (Bismuth Chloride Oxide), a pure mineral pigment, gives the serum a subtle luminous finish that reads as natural radiance at the surface.
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
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too shiny for me
Absorbed fine but way too glossy for daytime.
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Verified
one of the few i finish
Hydrates nicely and gives a bit of brightness under the eyes. Layers under makeup without fuss.
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Verified
took a couple weeks
Tiny amount goes far and the dropper makes it easy. Concealer sits fine over the top. By week two the tired look calmed down a bit, though I wouldn't call it instant. Morning and night both. Glad I can skip actual retinol around my eyes because that never ends well.
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Verified
gentle but not enough
No irritation which is nice, but after a month the lines barely changed. Feels comfortable, just wished for more.
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Verified
unexpected texture
Thought it'd be slippery but it's more cushiony. Rice-grain amount does both eyes. Subtle glow from it sits nicely under makeup without getting greasy.
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Verified
lighter than expected
Texture surprised me, lighter than I thought it'd be with all those oils. Sits well under my night cream. No irritation which is the whole reason I wanted something instead of retinol. Tiredness looks softer especially after rubbish sleep.
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Verified
bit too glossy mornings
Like it for my eyes but the shine is too much for work. Have to powder over. Better at night.
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disappears fast
One drop per side lasts ages. Sinks in quick, doesn't mess with my base or concealer. Under-eye area feels comfy instead of tight.
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Verified
looks less knackered
Tiny dab under my eyes after cleansing, then moisturiser on top. After a week, my bags looked less obvious on the train. the pump can be hit or miss, but it does the job.
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Verified
not dramatic but works
Corners look a bit smoother after a few weeks.
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Verified
careful formula
Feels like it was actually made for delicate eye skin. Wanted a retinol swap because that always irritates me and this doesn't. Tiny bit per eye at night, wake up to calmer-looking under-eyes. The slip from the oils is just right without being heavy or greasy.
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 suitable for sensitive eye area skin?
It is formulated specifically for the delicate orbital zone, with aloe juice, hyaluronic acid, and a nourishing oil base. If your skin is very reactive, patch test first and introduce it slowly.
Can I use this with retinol or other actives?
Yes, but keep the eye area in mind. If you are using stronger actives elsewhere in your ritual, this serum is designed to give the eye contour a gentler renewal step.
Will this feel heavy under concealer?
It is designed to absorb cleanly and leave a soft, lightly luminous finish. Apply a small amount and allow it to settle before makeup.
Can I use it both morning and night?
Yes. The formula is intended for use in both the morning and evening, making it easy to keep the eye area consistently hydrated and comforted.
What does the retinol alternative do?
Bidens Pilosa Extract is used here as a gentler alternative to conventional retinol. It supports the look of renewal while avoiding the same level of irritation risk.
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.
