Every OLIBÆ formula begins with ingredients that have been valued for centuries and is refined through modern cosmetic science. We believe transparency is part of luxury — you deserve to know not only what is inside your skincare, but why every ingredient earns its place.
Our formulations are built around clinically studied actives, carefully selected botanical extracts, and purposeful ingredients chosen for function, not trends. Whenever possible, we reference published scientific literature to explain the role each ingredient plays.
No fillers.
No unnecessary ingredients.
No shortcuts.
Just botanicals with purpose.
Our Philosophy
Built Around Formulation, Not Marketing.
Every ingredient serves a specific purpose — supporting the skin barrier, improving hydration, delivering antioxidants, or providing clinically studied anti-aging benefits.
Clinically Studied Actives
Bakuchiol
The Gold Standard Botanical Alternative to Retinol
Bakuchiol is a plant-derived compound extracted from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia (now also classified as Cullen corylifolium). Unlike retinol, bakuchiol is not a Vitamin A derivative, yet research suggests it can improve many of the same visible signs of aging while being better tolerated by many users.
Because it is not a retinoid, bakuchiol is generally associated with less dryness, peeling, and irritation than traditional retinol products.
Why We Chose Bakuchiol
We selected bakuchiol because it aligns with the OLIBÆ philosophy:
- Plant-derived
- Well studied
- Effective
- Suitable for daily use
- Excellent skin compatibility
Rather than chasing the newest trend, we chose an ingredient supported by meaningful human clinical research.
What Clinical Research Shows
A randomized, double-blind clinical trial published in the British Journal of Dermatology directly compared bakuchiol with retinol over 12 weeks. Researchers found that participants using bakuchiol experienced improvements in:
- Fine lines
- Wrinkles
- Pigmentation
- Overall photoaging
Participants using bakuchiol also experienced significantly less scaling and stinging than those using retinol. This study helped establish bakuchiol as one of the most promising botanical alternatives to traditional retinoids.
Source: Dhaliwal S. et al., British Journal of Dermatology, 2018.
Why OLIBÆ Uses 1%
We formulate our Renewal Serum with 1% bakuchiol because we believe transparency matters. Many skincare brands include bakuchiol without disclosing the concentration. We choose to disclose ours.
Our goal is to deliver a meaningful level of this clinically studied botanical active while maintaining excellent skin comfort for everyday use.
Bakuchiol vs. Retinol
| Bakuchiol | Retinol |
|---|---|
| Plant-derived | Vitamin A derivative |
| Clinically studied | Clinically studied |
| Better tolerated in comparative human research | More irritation reported in the same study |
| Suitable for morning or evening use | Often introduced gradually |
| Lower incidence of peeling and scaling | Higher incidence of peeling and irritation |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use bakuchiol every day?
Yes. Bakuchiol has demonstrated excellent tolerability in clinical studies and is generally suitable for daily use.
Can I use Vitamin C with bakuchiol?
Yes. Bakuchiol pairs well with Vitamin C and antioxidants.
Can I use it during the day?
Yes. Bakuchiol is not known to increase photosensitivity in the same manner as retinoids, although daily sunscreen is always recommended.
Botanical Resins
Frankincense
Whole certified organic resin — cold-infused rather than distilled to essential oil — selected for the naturally occurring compounds shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in laboratory studies.
Myrrh
A companion resin whose naturally occurring compounds are described in laboratory studies as antioxidant and skin-conditioning.
Foundation Ingredients
Organic Jojoba Oil
A liquid wax closely resembling the skin's own sebum, and among the most oxidation-resistant botanical carriers.
Organic Castor Oil
Naturally rich in ricinoleic acid; supports moisture retention with a cushioned, non-greasy glide.
Organic Shea Butter
The barrier-supporting base of the Renewal Balm, rich in nourishing fatty acids.
Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
Protects the botanical oils from oxidation while contributing antioxidant support to the skin.
Explore every ingredient and view the complete formula
Our Process
Cold Infusion
Crafted Slowly. By Design.
Every batch begins with whole botanical resins. The resins are carefully ground before being slowly infused into organic botanical oils over time. Once complete, the infusion is filtered to produce a clean botanical extract ready for formulation.
No high temperatures. No aggressive solvents. Just patience.
Research Library
We believe transparency includes showing where our information comes from. Below is a curated selection of published research related to ingredients used throughout OLIBÆ formulations.
Bakuchiol
- Dhaliwal S, et al. British Journal of Dermatology (2018): Randomized, double-blind comparison of bakuchiol and retinol showing improvements in photoaging with fewer reports of irritation.
- International Journal of Cosmetic Science (2022): Review of bakuchiol's mechanisms and cosmetic applications.
- Journal of Drugs in Dermatology (2024): Systematic review concluding that bakuchiol has encouraging human clinical evidence while noting that additional large, well-controlled studies are still needed.
Frankincense (Boswellia carterii)
Research on boswellic acids and other resin constituents, including laboratory studies investigating antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. While these findings are promising, more human studies on topical cosmetic use are needed.
Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)
Studies describing antioxidant and skin-conditioning properties of naturally occurring compounds found in myrrh resin.
Explore the Ritual Collection