Ever heard of bakuchiol? This plant-based ingredient is hailed as a sensitive skin-friendly alternative to retinol. About a year ago, I tried a bakuchiol booster from a vegan indie brand that I absolutely adored, but I’ve been unable to repurchase it ever since. Thankfully, NEOGEN and The PLANT BASE both recently launched bakuchiol serums, which I was able to get at YesStyle.
Both brands are known for skin care with a focus on natural ingredients, with simple yet effective formulations that are suitable for sensitive and problematic skin. Though I’m familiar with NEOGEN’s products, the Dermalogy Real Bakuchiol Firming Serum is the first serum I’ve tried from the brand.
I’ve also heard great things about THE PLANT BASE − almost everyone I know who has tried the brand’s ampoules sang their praises. My expectations are amped up for the Time Stop Vitamin Ampoule as result, and it’s the first product I’ve ever tried from the brand too.
THE PLANT BASE − Time Stop Vitamin Ampoule
What is it? A brightening ampoule packed with 14 kinds of vitamins, 7 types of high and low molecular hyaluronic acids, and 83% Jeju cherry blossom extracts, the formula is designed to leave skin feeling revitalized with a youthful glow. The ampoule is also fitted with collagen-boosting patented ingredient Bakutrol® (containing bakuchiol), which is effective in delivering calming and anti-aging effects to skin.
In detail:
Like all ampoules from THE PLANT BASE, the Time Stop Vitamin Ampoule comes in the brand’s iconic mirror-finished packaging; this version arrives in a pretty rose gold tint. Boasting a slightly viscous texture in light pink, the ampoule is surprisingly lightweight and slides silkily on skin with a dewy finish. At first I thought the ampoule was meant to smell like cherry blossoms, but after checking the ingredients, the scent turned out to be a mix of bergamot oil and lavender oil. As the product is free of artificial fragrance and colorants, the color and scent are derived from natural sources.
NEOGEN − Dermalogy Real Bakuchiol Firming Serum
What is it? This serum is formulated with bakuchiol, peptides and blackberry extracts to lift sagging skin, boost collagen production and improve dull skin. It’s further enriched with soothing ingredients such as azulene, lavender and tea tree oil, as well as aloe vera leaf and eggplant extracts to smooth and moisturize stressed-out skin.
In detail:
The serum is packaged in a frosted purple glass bottle that matches the formula’s cloudy purple color. As NEOGEN tends to avoid artificial colorant, I reckon the color comes from the azulene and blackberry extracts. The serum’s mild scent reminds me of lavender and citrus, a really calming combination. The texture looked gloopy at first, so I was pleasantly surprised to find that it glided smoothly on my skin with a refreshing touch. It quickly dried to a matte finish.
The Verdict
I tested each of the serums for two weeks, and used them religiously in my morning and evening skin care routines. I haven’t seen dramatic improvements on the pesky hyperpigmentation from my recent breakout. But like all anti-aging or skin-brightening products, it usually takes time and longer usage in order to notice significant improvements.
THE PLANT BASE’s Time Stop Vitamin Ampoule left my skin feeling refreshed and energized after each use. After the first week of use, I noticed that my skin felt softer and firmer.
In terms of finish, I prefer NEOGEN’s Real Bakuchiol Firming Serum as it left a more matte result. It also generated an instant calming sensation. However, it didn’t refresh my skin as much as the Time Stop Vitamin Ampoule did.
Overall, I was happy with my experience with this duo from NEOGEN and THE PLANT BASE. If you’re looking to start your journey into bakuchiol skin care, both of these products are great contenders, especially if you have sensitive skin like me.