Taimne seerum

In cosmetics, “vitamin A” often refers to retinoids such as retinol, retinyl acetate and retinyl palmitate, which are used to improve the look of wrinkles, texture, blemishes and uneven tone.


Because vitamin A can come from several sources at once, the EU’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety reviewed total exposure and concluded that cosmetic vitamin A is safe within specific limits, but may add to overall exposure for people who already have high vitamin A intake.


MÁDARA Retinol Alternative Plant-Powered Serum does not contain vitamin A. It uses Bidens Pilosa, a plant-based retinol alternative, to deliver retinol-like visible benefits without the associated irritation.

Bidens Pilosa is a flowering annual plant from the Asteraceae family, native to Tropical and Subtropical America. It is also known as blackjack or Spanish needle. In cosmetics, Bidens Pilosa Extract is a plant-origin ingredient listed for humectant and skin-conditioning functions.

MÁDARA uses it as the key retinol alternative in this vitamin A-free serum. This helps avoid the common retinol-related discomforts such as redness, dryness and flaking, while still supporting a smoother-looking, more even complexion.

Synthetic retinol can irritate skin because it is a highly active vitamin A derivative that speeds up skin renewal. When the skin is not used to it, or when the concentration is too strong, the barrier can become stressed, leading to dryness, redness, burning, peeling, flaking or sensitivity.



Retinol Alternative Plant-Powered Serum by MÁDARA is built for people who want the visible smoothing and tone-refining benefits associated with retinol, but without vitamin A and without the irritation profile that makes traditional retinol difficult for sensitive skin.

No. Retinol is not banned in Europe, but it is now restricted. Under EU Regulation 2024/996, retinol, retinyl acetate and retinyl palmitate are limited to 0.3% Retinol Equivalent in most leave-on and rinse-off cosmetics and 0.05% Retinol Equivalent in body lotions. The reason is not that retinol is “bad”, but that vitamin A exposure can add up from skincare, food and supplements.


For skin that wants visible retinol-like results without vitamin A, MÁDARA Retinol Alternative Plant-Powered Serum uses Bidens Pilosa extract to help smooth texture, soften the look of fine lines and improve uneven tone without the typical redness, dryness or flaking linked to synthetic retinol.