There’s some skin care brands that choose to formulate their products with a variety of beneficial ingredients, while other brands discover the powerful benefits of a single ingredient and use it in all of their products.
The latter is true for Biossance, a brand that uses squalane as the key ingredient throughout their entire range of skin care products.
What are the Best Skin Care Products of 2023?
But perhaps you’re wondering: what the heck is squalane? And how can it benefit my skin?
We’re going to answer these questions and more in our Biossance review. We’ll give you all the details you need to know on squalane, including the research that supports its use in skin care.
We’ll also discuss the brand’s best selling products, formulation details, Biossance reviews from real customers, and more.
Is Biossance Skincare Worth The Money?
A common question about this brand is if the products are worth the cost.
In our opinion, Biossance products are worth the money, but there are other brands that deliver greater value.
One brand is Carrot & Stick, a clean skincare brand that perfectly balances the gentle nurturing of plants with the powerful results of innovative science.
Carrot & Stick intro bundles deliver great value for money because you can bundle 3 full-size products worth up to $240 for $88.
What Are The Top 10 Best Biossance Skin Care Products?
Biossance skin care products can treat a variety of common skin concerns, such as aging skin, dry skin, dull skin, and oily skin. The types of skin care products they currently offer include moisturizers, oils, masks, serums, cleansers, eye care, and lip care. Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 best Biossance products.
Biossance Squalane Oil
If you’re into facial oils, Biossance Squalane Oil is one to try. It contains just one ingredient: squalane.
We’ll get into the nitty gritty on squalane in the Key Ingredients section below. For now just know that squalane oil feels weightless and absorbs instantly, helping to lock in moisture and leave the skin feeling super soft.
As one reviewer says, “One would think greasy when they see the word oil. This is not at all. I apply it on dry areas after I finish my foundation and it’s really moisturizing, but not greasy at all. It disappears but you can feel how soft it leaves your face.”
What’s great about Biossance Squalane Oil is that it can also be used on your hair to help tame flyaways, split ends, and frizz. In fact, you can use this oil anywhere on your body that needs a little extra moisture.
Bottom Line: Biossance Squalane Oil is a multitasking oil that can be used on your face, body, and hair to moisturize and protect.
Biossance Squalane + Phyto Retinol Serum
If you’re trying to prevent or reduce signs of skin aging, then you’ve probably heard that it’s a good idea to add a retinol serum into your nightly routine. Maybe you’ve tried a retinol product, but you’ve experienced the common (yet annoying) side effects of retinol, like skin dryness and peeling. If so, then the Biossance Squalane Phyto Retinol Serum could be a good option for you.
Bakuchiol has been shown to produce many of the same effects of using retinol, including the ability to diminish the appearance of wrinkles and reduce the effects of sun damage (including uneven skin tone). One of the main benefits of bakuchiol is that it provides retinol-like effects without irritation.
For example, a 2019 study published in the British Academy of Dermatology compared bakuchiol and retinol in a head-to-head 12-week, double-blind clinical trial on human subjects.
For the study, 44 participants received either a twice-daily 0.5% bakuchiol product or a once-daily 0.5% retinol product. Both groups saw improvements in hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and redness, and there was no statistically significant difference between their results.
This suggests that using bakuchiol twice a day is as effective as using retinol once a day. Another benefit is that the bakuchiol group reported less skin scaling and flaking than the retinol group.
Plus, there are additional supporting ingredients in Biossance Squalane Phyto Retinol Serum, such as squalane, niacinamide, sodium hyaluronate, and rosehip oil.
Bottom Line: Biossance Squalane Phyto Retinol Serum is an anti-aging serum that provides many of the same benefits of retinol (reduce wrinkles, fine lines, and uneven skin tone) without the irritation.
Biossance Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream
As a winner of Allure’s 2020 Best of Beauty Award and 2021 Glamour Beauty Awards “Best Eye Cream”, we know this Biossance eye cream has got to be good.
It has a creamy, rich texture that absorbs instantly without feeling greasy, helping the skin to instantly feel soft and supple.
Over time, this Biossance eye cream can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles thanks to paracress extract.
Paracress extract helps to lift saggy eyelids by reducing muscle tension, as well as reorganize and tighten collagen fibres by stimulating the fibroblasts. Ultimately, this results in firmer and smoother skin.
Bottom Line: The Biossance eye cream has a creamy rich texture that instantly helps to moisturize and soften skin, while decreasing signs of aging over time.
Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen
This Biossance sunscreen is a 100% non-nano, non-toxic SPF 30 mineral sunscreen that is guaranteed to protect the skin without leaving behind a white cast like most mineral sunscreens. Its lightweight texture blends into all skin tones, leaving a soft, dewy finish.
Like all Biossance skin care products, the formula contains squalane, along with plenty of other emollients to help lock in moisture and soften skin.
One unique ingredient in the Biossance sunscreen is water lily extract, which contains tannins, alkaloids, saponins, and polysaccharides. These components provide a strong nourishing, moisturizing, and regenerating effect on the skin, which helps to cool and calm skin after UV exposure and heat stress.
Bottom Line: The Biossance sunscreen provides broad spectrum SPF 30 protection thanks to non-nano zinc oxide, along with the added benefits of water lily extract and squalane.
Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil
If you’re dealing with pesky dark spots and uneven skin tone, Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil is calling your name.
This isn’t your average face oil. Sure, it contains squalane to soften and moisturize skin. But it’s also infused with the stable, oil-soluble vitamin C derivative known as tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate.
Once absorbed into the skin, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate is converted to ascorbic acid (the active form of vitamin C). Ascorbic acid exerts potent antioxidant activity, stimulates collagen synthesis, and reduces the appearance of dark spots through inhibition of melanin synthesis. The result? Brighter, firmer skin!
The only thing we don’t love about Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil is the inclusion of fragrance.
Bottom Line: Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil combines squalane with an oil-soluble vitamin C derivative to moisture, firm, and brighten skin.
Biossance Squalane + Lactic Acid Resurfacing Night Serum
This resurfacing serum includes 10% lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that exfoliates and enhances cellular renewal by increasing cell turnover rates in the upper layers of skin. It also acts like a magnet to attract and retain moisture in the skin.
While all skin types can benefit from this serum, it’s ideal for those dealing with rough, bumpy, and/or dull skin. Applying this serum nightly should help to promote a smoother and softer texture, visibly diminished fine lines, and an overall brighter complexion.
Biossance Squalane + Lactic Acid Resurfacing Night Serum is even a good choice for those with sensitive skin since lactic acid is the gentlest out of all the AHAs.
Bottom Line: Biossance Squalane + Lactic Acid Resurfacing Serum gently exfoliates and increases cell turnover, leading to smoother, brighter skin.
Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream
This is a rich facial cream that absorbs quickly to hydrate skin without feeling greasy, heavy, or sticky.
It’s formulated with lipids that mimic and support skin’s natural moisture barrier: squalane, omega fatty acids, ceramides and plant sterols. These lipids help nourish, plump, and hydrate your skin.
This cream also includes nourishing emollients like caprylic/capric triglyceride and shea butter, as well as the moisture magnet sodium hyaluronate.
Bottom Line: Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream is a rich facial cream that’s formulated with lipids that mimic and support skin’s natural moisture barrier.
Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer
This gel moisturizer glides onto the skin effortlessly and feels weightless. It’s formulated with probiotics to help calm and soothe skin with visible redness — even skin with rosacea.
Probiotics collaborate with your skin to restore the microbiome, the term for the trillions of microorganisms, like bacteria, fungi, and viruses, that live on your skin.
Some of these microorganisms are beneficial. According to WebMD “Some microbes act like a natural antibiotic. They also help keep your skin acidic, which many germs don’t like.”
However, if harmful microorganisms outnumber the good guys, skin conditions like acne, sensitive skin, and bumpy, uneven skin texture can develop. Thus, keeping the microbiome balanced is critical in maintaining healthy skin.
Bottom Line: Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer helps to calm skin with visible redness while supporting the skin’s microbiome.
Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum
Another Biossance vitamin C product is the Squalane + Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum. The opaque green bottle houses 10% 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a stable vitamin C derivative that helps to prevent dark spots and brighten the complexion.
The formula also includes white shiitake mushroom extract, which starts degrading dark spots immediately and continues correcting discoloration with continued use.
The final brightening ingredient in this dark spot serum is licorice root extract, one of the best naturally-derived ingredients for hyperpigmentation.
According to a publication in the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, “Licorice extract improves hyperpigmentation by dispersing the melanin, inhibition of melanin biosynthesis, and inhibition of cyclooxygenase activity thereby decreasing free radical production.”
Bottom Line: A dark spot serum that combines 10% vitamin C with white shiitake mushroom and licorice root extract to fade dark spots and brighten the complexion.
Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Hand Cream
This deeply moisturizing protective hand repair cream combines squalane with omega fatty acids, ceramides, and emollients like shea butter and caprylic/capric triglyceride.
Together, these ingredients help to comfort dry, chapped, and/or irritated hands for immediate relief while boosting radiance for dewy, healthy-looking skin without adding shine.
There’s also vitamin E in this repair cream, which functions as a potent antioxidant to protect skin from free radical damage.
In addition to its powerful antioxidant activity, vitamin E helps the skin retain moisture by strengthening the skin’s barrier function.
Bottom Line: A moisturizing hand repair cream that combines squalane with reparative ingredients and vitamin E to comfort dry, chapped, and/or irritated hands.
What’s Inside Biossance Skincare?
Biossance skin care products are clean, nontoxic, and formulated using the highest standards in the industry. The brand even has a blacklist of over 2,000 toxic ingredients, and they prioritize sustainability with eco-friendly formulas and packaging. Here’s a closer look at the key ingredients used in Biossance skincare.
Squalane
As we mentioned earlier, squalane is the key ingredient that you’ll find in all Biossance skin care products. Biossance obtains their squalane from 100% plant-based, renewable sugarcane, which is then bio-fermented to create a beautiful end result — highly stable, totally sustainable and eco-friendly squalane.
Squalane helps to replenish the skin’s lipid barrier. A strong, intact barrier is important to keep moisture in and keep things like allergens, bacteria, and irritants out. When the barrier is weakened, these intruders can pass through the top layer of skin, causing damage that ultimately leads to common skin conditions such as acne, rashes, sensitive skin, and even signs of aging.
Replenishing the skin’s lipid barrier with products containing squalane can help to prevent these problems.
Vitamin C
Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil combines squalane with the stable, oil-soluble vitamin C derivative known as tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate.
Once absorbed into the skin, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate is converted to ascorbic acid (the active form of vitamin C). Ascorbic acid exerts potent antioxidant activity, stimulates collagen synthesis, and reduces the appearance of dark spots through inhibition of melanin synthesis.
But our favorite Vitamin C serum is Carrot & Stick The Defence Serum. It contains 3 distinct types of Vitamin C that work together to help fight free radical damage. We recommend using it every morning.
How Much Do Biossance Skin Care Products Cost?
Biossance skin care products are mid-range in terms of cost; they aren’t cheap but they are ridiculously expensive. For example, Biossance Squalane Oil costs $32 USD for 3.3 oz, while the Biossance Sunscreen costs $30 USD for 1.7 oz.
Where to Buy Biossance Skin Care Products?
Biossance skin care products are sold on the brand’s website, as well as several third party online retailers such as Sephora, HSN, and Amazon.
What is The Biossance Return Policy?
The Biossance return policy states, “If you are not completely satisfied with your Biossance purchase for any reason, you are able to return it for a refund within 60 days from ship date.”
Is Biossance Cruelty Free?
Biossance is cruelty free and the products are officially Leaping Bunny Certified. Leaping Bunny Certification means Biossance skin care products are free of animal testing at every stage of product development.
Is Biossance Vegan?
Yes, Biossance skin care products are vegan. Biossance products contain no animal ingredients or by-products in the manufacturing process or final product and no animal testing is involved in any part of the process
Biossance Reviews
Biossance reviews on the brand’s website are overall very positive. For example, the Biossance Sunscreen has received an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars after more than 800 customer reviews.
Positive Biossance reviews mention that this sunscreen feels great on the skin and doesn’t leave a white cast.
For example, one very positive review says, “This is probably the best sunscreen/ facial product I own.. Being an African American finding sunscreen that doesn’t make you look ghostly is impossible so when I saw this on IG I had to try it! I’m so glad I did.”
And another 5-star review for the Biossance sunscreen says, “Wonderful — not greasy yet moisturizing!! This left no white cast either on my skin.”
However, there are a handful of negative reviews for the Biossance Sunscreen, which are mostly from customers who experienced adverse reactions like burning and itching after using this product.
For example, one review says, “I had a bad reaction to this. I have combination skin, can be sensitive at times. I loved the way it felt on my skin at first. But after I stepped out in the sun my face turned so bad around my mouth and under my right eye. Had rashes.”
And a similar review says, “I used this product twice; both times I had facial swelling and horrible itching and redness.”
Our Verdict
Overall, we think that the Biossance products are formulated well and there are many positive Biossance reviews for customers who noticed results after using these products.
Pros
- Products contain evidence based ingredients (squalane, shea butter, sodium hyaluronate, etc)
- Many positive Biossance reviews
- Biossance is cruelty free
Cons
- Some products packaged in jars, which we cause delicate ingredients to degrade over time due to exposure to light and air
- Some products contain fragrance
What Are Some Alternatives to Biossance Skin Care?
If you’re looking for skincare products to address the signs of aging, we recommend Carrot & Stick. Carrot & Stick maximizes the use of powerful ingredients and minimizes the use of superficial ones, resulting in advanced skincare solutions that help promote healthy, more youthful-looking skin. We recommend The Defence Serum, followed by The Moisturizer.
References:
Adv Food Nutr Res 2012;65:223-33.
Dermatoendocrinol. 2009 Mar-Apr; 1(2): 72–76.
WebMD “What Is The Skin Microbiome?”
J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2013 Jan-Mar; 6(1): 4–11
