Herbivore Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Smoothing Serum Versus Nuvoderma Bakuchiol Serum
Updated on March 20, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 14 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain PHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Herbivore Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Smoothing Serum 27 ingredients
Nuvoderma Bakuchiol Serum 17 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Herbivore Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Smoothing Serum 27 ingredients
Nuvoderma Bakuchiol Serum 17 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract
AntiseborrhoeicBakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Psoralea Corylifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAmethyst Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
AstringentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Phytate
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract, Bakuchiol, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Psoralea Corylifolia Fruit Extract, Amethyst Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Gluconolactone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Phytate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Coco-Glucoside, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Psoralea Corylifolia Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract
AntiseborrhoeicGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Amethyst Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
AstringentVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ocimum Basilicum Root Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Glycerin, Psoralea Corylifolia Seed Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract, Gluconolactone, Amethyst Extract, Sodium Phytate, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Root Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract is an extract of the flowers of the aloe, Aloe barbadensis, Liliaceae
Aloe contains the antioxidants Vitamins A, C, and E.
It also contains sugars in the form of monosaccharides and polysaccharides, folic acid, choline, many common minerals such as calcium, 12 anthraquinones, fatty acids, amino acids, and Vitamin B12.
Aloe is known to be anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, healing, and protect against UV rays.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Flower ExtractWe don't have a description for Amethyst Extract yet.
Corallina Officinalis Extract is from the red seaweed, Corallina Officinalis. This seaweed is found all over the world but is most common in the rocky shores of Great Britain and Ireland.
Corallina Officinalis Extract contains antioxidant and emollient properties.
Extracted polysaccharides, galactose and xylose, in red algae showed antioxidant activity. Antioxidants help with anti-aging by neutralizing free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules may damage your skin cells and DNA. Galactose is also a PHA.
Corallina Officinalis is structurally similar to coral due to its high calcium content.
Learn more about Corallina Officinalis ExtractGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate is a natural preservative. It comes from fermenting radish roots with a bacteria called leuconostoc.
Leuconostoc comes from lactic acid.
This ingredient has antimicrobial properties and helps prevent the growth of bacteria in a product.
Leuconostoc is used to make the traditional Korean side-dish, kimchi. It is also used to make sourdough bread (both incredibly yummy foods).
Learn more about Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment FiltrateOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract comes from the Holy Basil plant. Holy Basil is native to India.
Holy Basil is rich in antioxidants due to its high romarinic acid, ferulic acid, and rutin content. This gives it skin brightening and soothing properties.
While Holy Basil has many claims to help fight acne, more research is needed.
One thing to note is the presence of tannins; tannins are naturally found in nature. However, this compound may be skin-sensitizing.
Learn more about Ocimum Sanctum Leaf ExtractWe don't have a description for Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract yet.
Sodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
We don't have a description for Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract yet.
Tremella Fuciformis is also known as snow mushroom. This ingredient comes from the sporocarp, which is also the fruit body of the fungi.
Snow mushroom has hydrating and antioxidant properties.
According to a manufacturer, the glucuronic acid of this ingredient promotes the presence of hyaluronic acid in the middle layer of skin to keep that layer sufficiently hydrated.
Learn more about Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp ExtractThis extract comes from the blueberry native to North America. It has great antioxidant and skin soothing properties.
The antioxidant properties from blueberries come from its polyphenolic and vitamin C content. Polyphenols are a compound famous for their antioxidant properties and are commonly found in fruits.
A 2023 study found blueberries to protect skin from UV-B related inflammation. However, this ingredient should not replace your sunscreen.
Learn more about Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit ExtractWe don't have a description for Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract yet.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterIngredient Ratings
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