Biossance | A Deep Dive Brand Review

It is time for another brand review. This time I am going to be doing an in-depth review of Biossance skincare.

In this post, we will do an overview of the brand history. Then I’ll let you know what I thought about each product and who I think would like it. I’ll wrap up by sharing my final thoughts on the brand and pricing. Of course, I will also be sharing links so you can grab the Biossance products that you want to try.

About Biossance

Did you know that Biossance wasn’t originally a beauty brand? Back in 2003, they developed patented technology that lead to an accessible cure for malaria. Back in the lab, Biossance decided to adapt their biotechnology so they could make a positive impact on the world, through skincare. Their goal was to create effective and safe skincare products without harming the environment or animals. 

Biossance doesn’t stop at just being vegan and cruelty-free. They currently have carbon-neutral shipping and are working on being zero-waste by 2025.

But as you may have heard, Biossance is known for their renewable, vegan squalane. This hero ingredient is at the heart of the brand and is featured in all of their products.

About My Reviews

Now that you know what Biossance is all about, it is time to dive into the product reviews. Just an FYI, I extensively test every single product listed. If a product isn’t listed, that means I haven’t tried it yet. I do update these reviews periodically, so make sure to save this post to Pinterest so you can reference this post later.

Also, this post is not sponsored. I purchased all of these products with my own money. I will ALWAYS disclose if something is sponsored or sent as PR.

Biossance Serums

Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum

Don’t let the name of this serum scare or confuse you. The Squalane + Copper Peptide Plumping Serum is really just a fancy hyaluronic acid serum. The copper peptides help to boost collagen production. And of course, squalane is the emollient ingredient.

Honestly, I went into testing this thinking I wouldn’t like it. I thought it was going to be another sticky hyaluronic acid serum, but I was wrong. There was no stickiness at all. It applied easily and it played nicely with my other skincare products.

I would highly recommend this serum to anyone that wants plump, hydrated skin. The Ordinary does have a very similar product, the Buffet+ Copper Peptides. It sells for $31 per ounce while the Biossance is $40 per ounce. That being said, I would purchase the Biossance because I prefer the formula. Also, the Biossance packaging and user experience are worth the added cost to me.

Squalane + Lactic Acid Resurfacing Night Serum 

The Squalane + Lactic Acid Resurfacing Night Serum is their most popular serum. In case you didn’t know, lactic acid is an AHA. AHAs work to dissolve surface-level skin cells. That means it evens out skin texture and reduces the signs of aging. Unlike other AHAs, lactic acid also moisturizes the skin. Combining lactic acid with squalane, make this serum effective but also non-irritating.

For a lactic acid serum, this one is nice. Like most lactic acid serums, it doesn’t smell great. It’s not a foul smell but it is worth noting.

I do have to admit that I don’t use lactic acid serums regularly. Usually, I use retinol. On nights I don’t use retinol, I prefer to use hydrating ingredients, not powerful exfoliants. But for this review, I was using their retinol alternative, so I was fine with using the Squalane + Lactic Acid Resurfacing Night Serum a couple of nights a week.

I would recommend the Squalane + Lactic Acid Resurfacing Night Serum to all skin types because it is a nice non-irritating AHA serum.

Squalane + Phyto-Retinol Serum

As I mentioned earlier, the Squalane + Phyto-Retinol Serum is a retinol alternative. Instead of using retinol, it is formulated with bakuchiol and niacinamide. This combination of ingredients means it works similarly to retinol, with less irritation.

I first tested this serum when I did a post all about retinol. I tried this alongside two other retinol alternatives. Of those I tested, I prefer the Biossance product. It didn’t irritate my skin and applied nicer than the bakuchiol from The Inkey List.

To be completely honest, I prefer to use retinol. While the alternatives do work, retinol works faster for me.

For those of you that can’t use retinol or don’t want to, the Squalane + Phyto-Retinol Serum is a great alternative.

Biossance Eye Treatments

Squalane + Peptide Eye Gel

This is a lightweight eye-gel formulated with squalane, peptides, and niacinamide to help reduce puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines. This eye gel can be used day and night, plus it can be paired with the Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream for those that want extra hydration under the eyes.

I love a good eye product. Anything that will help with eye wrinkles can get in my cart.

A lightweight gel is a perfect description for this product. That being said, it isn’t the most hydrating. I like using the gel during the day when I know I am going to be layering other products on top, like sunscreen or makeup.

I would suggest the Squalane + Peptide Eye Gel to people with combination or oily skin for day and night use. If you have super dry skin under your eyes, I would skip this and opt for the Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream.

Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream

The Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream is formulated with marine algae, paracress extract, and squalane to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and to hydrate the skin.

Since I was testing the eye gel during the day, I used the Eye Cream in the evening. I found that it provided a good amount of hydration but wasn’t too heavy. I’m not sure I would want to wear it during the day unless I wasn’t wearing makeup. For my combination skin, this plus sunscreen and makeup would be a bit too much.

I would recommend the Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream to all skin types as a night eye cream option. It would make a good day option for people with dry skin.

Biossance Moisturizers

Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer

Biossance offers a couple of different moisturizers. The Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer is the lightweight gel option. It is formulated with probiotics, red seaweed, and ginger extract to reduce redness and irritation, while the squalane helps with moisture.

In case you don’t know, I have combination skin with persistent redness. I am always trying to make my face look less red. So when Biossance claimed that this moisturizer reduced redness, I was intrigued.

Unfortunately, this moisturizer didn’t help with redness and it was not very hydrating. Shortly after applying, it felt like I hadn’t put anything on my face.

To get the hydration my skin needs, I need to pair this moisturizer with the Squalane + Copper Peptide Plumping Serum. I like the copper peptide serum, so I don’t mind having to use them both.

I don’t think the Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer is a bad product. It just isn’t the moisturizer for me. It didn’t do anything for my redness, even after working through my entire jar.

I would suggest this moisturizer to people that have oily skin or people that don’t like the feeling of moisturizer.

Squalane + Omega Repair Deep Hydration Moisturizer

For those that need a richer moisturizer, the Squalane + Omega Repair would be the moisturizer to try. It is formulated with ceramides and fatty acids to support the skin’s moisture barrier. The squalane provides moisture to the deep layers of the skin, while the hyaluronic acid visibly plumps the skin’s surface.

Unfortunately, I found the Squalane + Omega Repair was a bit too rich for daily use. There was no way I could use this moisturizer during the day with sunscreen and makeup. Everything would slide off my face.

But don’t write this moisturizer off yet.

Even though I have combination skin, I love to load up on hydrating products at night. I must look like a glazed donut before I go to bed.

This moisturizer paired with the Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream at night gave me the glazed skin I desire.

Because the Squalane + Omega Repair Deep Hydration Moisturizer is so moisturizing, I would recommend it to those with dry skin. Those with normal to combination skin could use this as a night cream.

Biossance Oils

Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil

The Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil is a facial oil formulated with Damascus rose oil, vitamin C to visibly brighten, and Chios crystal oil that’s known to boost radiance and firm the skin. According to Biossance, this is the final step in your skincare routine.

When I decide to use a Vitamin C product, I opt for a serum that is applied before my moisturizer. This product, however, goes on after your moisturizer, right before sunscreen.

It is probably not a surprise when I say I can’t use the Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil as directed. A moisturizer paired with this oil, and topped with sunscreen, was too much for my skin. I like dewy but I looked more like a greasy pizza.

In an effort to make this work, I tried skipping moisturizer and just using the oil. Then I used a more satin sunscreen on top. This combination worked better but I still didn’t love it.

Ultimately, this isn’t a product for me. I will continue to use this until it is gone, but I will be using it at night.

I think if you have dry skin and love facial oils, then the Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil would be worth the purchase. Otherwise, I would skip it.

100% Squalane Oil

The 100% Sugarcane Squalane Oil is a lightweight and multipurpose squalane oil. This oil can be used on the face, body, and hair.

I am the first to admit I am not an oil person, but I love this oil. I’ve been using and recommending it for years. I love that it gives me the hydration I need without making my skin greasy. This gets the most use in the dead of winter when my skin needs a bit of TLC. I also use squalane oil to nourish my skin after doing an intense exfoliating treatment.

I also want to touch on the value of this oil. Currently, on the Biossance website, you can purchase the 3.3-ounce bottle for $22. That makes it cheaper than The Ordinary! Even when the oil is not on sale, it is still a good deal at $9.41 per ounce. I will purchase the Biossance oil over The Ordinary one every time.

In case it wasn’t obvious, I recommend this oil to everyone.

Biossance Masks

Squalane + Glycolic Renewal Mask

The Squalane + Glycolic Renewal Mask is a chemical and physical exfoliating mask. It is formulated with glycolic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, and malic acid to really help rid the skin of rough dry patches. 

This mask is what I would call Biossance’s version of the Drunk Elephant Babyfacial. It has a lot of similar ingredients, but the Biossance option is a touch gentler and is less expensive than the Drunk Elephant.

I do have to warn you that the Biossance mask does leave a bit of a sticky residue on the skin. I use this mask before I shower, so I am able to unsticky myself. After my shower, once my face is residue-free, I’ll apply the 100% Squalane Oil.

This is a nice mask for most skin types. If you have ultra-sensitive skin, I would skip it.

Other Biossance Products

Squalane + Rose Vegan Lip Balm

This lip balm has been newly reformulated. It is vegan, fragrance-free, and petroleum-free. Formulated with ceramides and algae, to hydrate and plump the lips.

I received this balm as part of a set. Originally, I didn’t even plan on reviewing it. But one day when my lips were feeling particularly parched, I gave it a go.

When squeezed out of the tube it is very thick. But once you apply it to the lips, it thins out a bit. I was very surprised at how nice it made my lips feel. It is incredibly nourishing and even long-lasting.

I want to especially call out the fact that it is in a tube. I love that it is easy to apply and is mess-free. Goodbye, Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. It was nice knowing you.

I would recommend this lip balm to people that really enjoy a thick lip balm. If you like thin, barely there balms, this is not your product.

Overall Thoughts On The Brand

Overall, my experience with Biossance was positive. Yes, there were a couple of products that did not suit my skin type. However, none of the products I tried were bad. I did not experience any breakouts or reactions from any of the products I tested.

I do think Biossance would benefit by adding a third moisturizer to their product lineup. But otherwise, they offer a pretty wide range of products.

Let’s talk a bit more about price. For a clean, prestige skincare brand, most of the products are comparably priced. The squalane oil and the copper peptide serum are incredibly well priced.

I also recommend purchasing from the brand directly. They offer a wide variety of sets and travel sizes that aren’t available at Sephora. Occasionally, they even offer free gifts with purchase.

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