Retinol has long been one of the most talked-about ingredients in skincare. But for those interested in a more botanical approach to their routine, another ingredient is beginning to attract attention: Bidens Pilosa.
At first glance, it doesn't look particularly revolutionary. It's a small flowering plant with delicate white petals and a golden-yellow center.
But its story is surprisingly interesting.
Long before Bidens Pilosa appeared on skincare ingredient lists, the plant had been used in different parts of the world as both food and in traditional practices. More recently, researchers and cosmetic formulators have begun exploring what certain extracts from this unassuming plant may offer modern skincare.
So how did a little member of the daisy family find its way into a botanical retinol alternative serum?
Meet Bidens Pilosa
Bidens Pilosa is a flowering plant in the daisy family that grows widely in tropical and subtropical regions around the world.
Depending on where you live, you may know it by a much less glamorous name. Black-jack, beggarticks and farmer's friend are among its many common names.
The plant is especially good at traveling. Its narrow seeds have tiny barbs that readily attach themselves to clothing and animal fur, helping the plant spread from place to place.
Perhaps more surprising is its history of human use. In different regions of the world, parts of Bidens Pilosa have traditionally been eaten as food as well as used in traditional practices.
It's a reminder that some of today's most interesting cosmetic ingredients don't necessarily begin in a laboratory.
Sometimes they begin with a plant that has been growing around us for generations.
From Humble Plant to Modern Skincare
Scientists have identified a wide range of naturally occurring compounds in Bidens Pilosa, contributing to continued interest in the plant and its potential applications.
That interest eventually reached skincare.
Research involving standardized extracts of Bidens Pilosa has explored their activity in pathways associated with skin renewal, including collagen, elastin and retinoid-related signaling.
These findings have helped make Bidens Pilosa an intriguing ingredient for cosmetic formulators developing products for the appearance of mature skin.
But this is also where an important distinction needs to be made.
Bidens Pilosa is not retinol.
Bidens Pilosa vs. Retinol: What's the Difference?
Retinol is a vitamin A derivative with decades of research supporting its use in skincare. It is widely used to address visible signs of aging, uneven texture and other skin concerns.
Bidens Pilosa, on the other hand, is botanical.
Research into standardized extracts of the plant has produced promising findings related to skin-aging pathways, but the body of evidence is considerably smaller than the extensive research behind retinoids.
That's why descriptions such as “natural retinol” can be misleading.
Rather than thinking of Bidens Pilosa as another form of retinol, we think it's more useful to understand it as a botanical approach to supporting the appearance of renewed, healthy-looking skin.
And for some people, that's exactly what makes it interesting.
Why Consider a Botanical Retinol Alternative?
Skincare doesn't have to look the same for everyone.
Some people love traditional retinoids. Others prefer botanical formulations or simply want a routine centered around hydration, comfort and consistency.
A botanical retinol alternative may appeal to someone who:
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prefers plant-derived skincare ingredients
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wants a more gentle-feeling approach to a skin-renewal ritual
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is creating a simple routine for mature-looking skin
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values consistency rather than an overly complicated regimen
Ultimately, the best skincare routine isn't necessarily the one with the longest ingredient list or the most powerful-sounding claims.
It's one that works comfortably within your life—and that you'll actually use consistently.
Where Does a Botanical Serum Fit in Your Routine?
One of the simplest ways to incorporate a targeted botanical formula is through a serum.
The order doesn't need to be complicated:
Cleanse → Tone → Serum → Moisturize
Serum generally comes before moisturizer because its lighter texture is designed to be applied before richer creams.
If you've ever wondered why, we've explored it in more detail in the Viaura Journal: Why Does Serum Come Before Moisturizer?
And during the day, finish your skincare ritual with broad-spectrum sunscreen.
Bidens Pilosa in the Avelle™ Ritual
Bidens Pilosa is one of the ingredients that drew us to the formula behind our Avelle™ Botanical Retinol Alternative Serum.
European-formulated and designed for a thoughtful approach to mature-looking skin, the serum combines Bidens Pilosa with a hyaluronic acid complex and botanical ingredients including rosehip, murumuru and sea buckthorn.
The lightweight serum slips easily into a daily ritual—after cleansing and toning and before moisturizer.
It's a formulation that reflects something we believe strongly at Viaura:
Skincare doesn't need to feel overwhelming to feel special.
From a Small Flower to a Thoughtful Ritual
There's something rather wonderful about discovering the story behind an ingredient.
Bidens Pilosa begins as an unassuming flowering plant—one that has traveled around the world, been known by countless names and been used by people in different ways for generations.
Today, modern research is giving us another reason to take a closer look.
That doesn't make Bidens Pilosa a miracle ingredient, nor does it make it retinol.
It simply makes it an interesting botanical with an evolving skincare story.
And at Viaura, that's exactly the kind of story we believe is worth understanding: where an ingredient comes from, why it's included in a formulation, and how it can become part of a simple, thoughtful skincare ritual.
