Biossance Skincare

Lately I’ve been hearing quite a bit of buzz about Biossance, so when the brand reached out, I happily accepted to try some of their best-sellers. This vegan skincare range not only looks for sustainably sourced ingredients, but is also committed to helping protect both our skin & the environment — and that thinking aligns perfectly with mine.

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In 2003, the brand created an accessible cure for malaria in their Berkley, California labs, and today over 120 million royalty-free treatments have been successfully given thanks to this technology. Turning their attention to skincare, Biossance was inspired to continue using innovative biotechnology to make a positive impact on the world with “squalane” as a star ingredient. Since the 16th century, sharks were hunted for their ‘squalene’ — an oil found in their livers that was used to make moisturizers and skincare products, but Biossance scientists were able to create a renewable sugarcane-derived version called “squalane”, which helps to save 2 million of these crucial members of the ocean ecosystem every year. I don’t know about you, but this amazing fact alone is enough of an incentive for me to try this range.

Squalane + Peptide Eye Gel (CAN $71.00) | Dispensed via an airless pump (which, by the way, is also very easy to control in expelling the amount you need), this has a lightweight gel texture. Said to help with puffiness, sagging/crepiness, and dark circles, the formula contains:

Swiss Apple Stem Cell Extract – helps with reducing the look of lines & wrinkles
Eyeseryl & Argireline – helps to reduce the look of dark circles & puffiness
Niacinamide – improves skin hydration and helps reduce dark circles & puffiness
Sugarcane-Derived Squalane 100% – locks in essential moisture
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5 & Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 – help combat puffiness
Caffeine – help reduce the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles

I’ve been using this twice a day for 4 weeks now; in the morning after rinsing my face (I do a deeper cleanse only in the evening) and after applying 4 drops of a Vitamin C Serum (currently using one from SkinCeuticals), I immediately go in with a small pump for each eye, applying under the eye and along the socket. In the evening after cleansing, I first apply a prescribed retinol cream to a few targeted areas of my face, and then I go in with this eye gel. I actually noticed a change, in particular how the skin under my eyes appeared smoother and the hollows less pronounced — in particular under my right eye which for some ridiculous reason, has a more pronounce hollow. This result alone has impressed me enough to keep using this gel.

Squalane + Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum (CAN $82.00) | Dispensed via an easy-to-control pump, this lightweight serum is meant to help visibly reduce the look of discolourations and even out skin tone. The formula contains:

Vitamin C 10% – a potent antioxidant which visibly brightens skin, supports collagen production and is precisely calibrated to not cause irritation while also remaining stable in the bottle
Sugarcane-Derived Squalane – mimics the body’s natural hydrating oils to provide weightless moisture, delivering active ingredients deep into the skin & prevent overdrying
White Shiitake Mushroom – a synergistic mushroom blend to help degrade dark spots immediately and continued correcting discolouration with continued use
Licorice Root Extract – calms and mitigates the appearance of discolourations and helps fight the appearance of future dark spots

I’ve been using this daily for 4 weeks now, but only in the morning, and the first thing I’ve noticed is that one pump is more than enough for my entire face, neck, and even the top of my décolletage — surprisingly so, as I assumed I’d need more product. The milky texture is lightweight and absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving any tacky residue behind. As to results, while I can’t say that this serum is responsible for the lightening of any dark spots (as I also use a prescribed retinol in the evening), I have noticed that overall my skin looks more even and pores seem definitely refined. I also appreciate how well my skin is responding to this serum, and how effortlessly it works with the rest of the range.

Squalane + Phyto-Retinol Serum (CAN $95.00) | Housed in a recycled glass bottle and dispensed via an airless pump, the key ingredient in this serum acts as an alternative to retinol (which some people may have a hard time tolerating). The texture is creamy yet still flows out easily, with one pump being plenty to cover the entire face & neck. The formula contains:

Bakuchiol – East Asian plant seed extract with properties similar to retinol, but without any of the associated potential irritation. Targets the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness
Sugarcane-Derived Squalane – mimics the body’s natural hydrating oils to provide weightless moisture, delivering active ingredients deep into the skin & prevent overdrying
Niacinamide – helps even out skin tone, improves skin barrier function and skin texture/dullness
Hyaluronic Acid – visibly plumps and supports skin hydration

I’ve been using this product in my evening skincare routine, replacing the Squalane + Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum used during the day. The texture is somewhere between a cream & a lotion, spreading easily and absorbing quickly into the skin. As I mentioned earlier, I also currently use a prescription retinol (I want to point out that in addition, I also apply a dedicated Niacinamide serum after the Retinol — evenings only) and while I can’t claim that this serum is the one that’s been helping to keep my skin tone even, I can’t deny that it might also be helping support the progress I’m seeing.

Squalane + Omega Repair Cream (CAN $75.00) | Housed in a wide-mouthed glass jar, this is a lush moisturizer meant to provide a thorough hydration to skin. The texture is creamy but with slip to it, and a small amount truly goes a long, long way. The formula includes:

Acaï Berry Sterols – a plant sterol that mimics & replenishes the cholesterol found naturally in our skin (an alternative to animal-derived cholesterol)
Hyaluronic Acid – water-retaining molecules which visibly plump and support skin hydration
Sugarcane-Derived Squalane – mimics the body’s natural hydrating oils to provide weightless moisture, delivering active ingredients deep into the skin & prevent overdrying
Omega Fatty Acids – a plumping, hydrating & restoring group of fatty moisturizing molecules (Omega-3,6,9) similar to what’s in your skin’s natural moisture barrier and which can be easily absorbed
Ceramides – a natural part of skin’s own moisturizing factor, helps to maintain and prevent moisture loss
Shea Butter – a rich, ultra-moisturizing butter from the African Shea Tree
Liquid Crystal System – an emulsifying system (helps combine water and oils) that mimics skin’s structure and thereby doesn’t disrupt the natural moisture barrier like traditional emulsifiers

As part of my second to last step in my skincare routine, I have been using this cream both morning and evening. In the morning, I’ll add a slightly less amount — especially if I’m planning on wearing any makeup, while in the evening I’ll go in with a bit more to give my skin that extra boost of nourishment that it needs. Even though this is a rich cream, it still feels lightweight upon application and while not absorbed super fast, it penetrates well enough within 15 minutes so as to not leave a tacky feel behind. I’m very particular about how I want a moisturizer to make my skin feel; if I get a plump & velvety sensation when I run the back of my hand along my cheeks, then to me that means my skin has been quenched. So far, this cream has been giving me that feel — and while not at the level that some other past products have, it’s more than enough to provide the hydration I look for.

Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil (CAN $95.00) | Housed in a recycled clear glass bottle (the better to enjoy the lovely pink hue of the product) and dispensed via a dropper, this is a facial oil that offers a trifecta of benefits: brightening, firming, and hydration. The formula includes:

Vitamin C – a unique form of Vitamin C Oil that easily absorbs and penetrates into skin, helps to diminish the look of discolouration, and visibly improve skin’s elasticity and firmness
Sugarcane-Derived Squalane -mimics the body’s natural hydrating oils to provide weightless moisture, delivering active ingredients deep into the skin & prevent overdrying
Damascus Rose Extract – boosts healthy looking radiance & awakens the senses
Chios Crystal Oil – a gum resin found on the Greek island of Chios, this helps to revitalize skin and improve the look of firmness

I am obsessed with face oils, especially anything with rose in it. That said, I’ve tried several oils that while on their own they work fine on my skin without pilling, they rarely play well when added over other skincare. Happily, that’s not the case with this one. I use this morning and evening as the last step in my skincare routine to help “lock” in everything applied before it, and apart from that extra level of nourishment it provides, I also love the glow it imparts. The fragrance is a very delicate & subtle rose, and absolutely heavenly! In the morning I go in with 3 drops that I warm up between my fingers before patting onto my face, neck and top of décolletage, while in the evening I use 4 drops. As this is an oil, it won’t readily absorb into the skin and will take longer to do so, but I love how it makes my skin feel and considering the small amount used per day, one bottle should last quite a while. I’m curious to see if this oil will play nice with other skincare brands, something I intend to test once I’m done with this entire regimen.

Squalane + Rose Vegan Lip Balm | *Note that the pot version of this lip balm shown here, has recently been discontinued and replaced by a tube (CAN $19.00/15 ml). Personally, I’m glad of this change, as I’ve never been a fan of dipping my finger (and obviously my nail too) into a pot of lip balm. With no added fragrance, this balm is meant to immediately hydrate lips while also providing continuous nourishment. The formula includes:

Hyaluronic Acid – water-retaining molecules which visibly plump and support skin hydration
Sugarcane-Derived Squalane – mimics the body’s natural hydrating oils to provide weightless moisture, delivering active ingredients deep into the skin & prevent overdrying
Ceramides – a natural part of skin’s own moisturizing factor, helps to maintain and prevent moisture loss
Wakame Algae – helps to restore the appearance of lip plumpness within 14 days
Rose Wax – a fragrance & essential oil-free alternative to bees wax, for a luxurious moisturizing feel

I can’t live without lip balm and have tried tons — from drugstore to luxury brands, and as my lips have a tendency to really dry out, I’m always on the hunt for “the one”. The texture of this balm is actually quite nice; not too oily or slippery and it does provide an immediate nourishing feel. Even after most of it has gone, I still get some hydration and fortunately no peeling or drying as I’ve experienced with some other brands. That said, I do like it but as I mentioned earlier, I would have preferred the tube version as it’s both easier to use and carry around.

As much as I adore playing with makeup, I’m also skincare obsessed and I actually can’t start or end my day without my skincare routine. I’m also privileged to have access to so many different brands and have tried my share, so I have plenty to compare the Biossance range to. That said, and after testing these products for a month now, I’m please to say that not only did everything live up to the hype, but managed to impress me as well … not an easy feat when it comes to skincare, let me tell you. As to favourites, I’d say that the Eye Gel and the Face Oil top the list, with the Moisturizer coming in right behind. The serums get thumbs up as well and I plan on finishing both. The balm is good, and while it won’t replace my current Holy Grail (a $2.99 tube of Carmex, in case you’re wondering), I still want to use it up (tip: use unfinished lip balms on cuticles – works amazing!). Final thoughts: great range, easily accessible and the pricing is good as well, especially when you factor in that the products deliver.

Available at Sephora and online