Our editors independently select these products. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission
One scroll through the 150+ reviews and it’s clear to see: Shoppers have uncovered what appears to be nothing short of a skin-care wonder for fine lines and wrinkles. The product in question? Tula Wrinkle Treatment Drops ($68). This is an alternative to retinol serum that helps with healthy aging and giving skin a firmer, more nourished appearance. What makes it really special is that, unlike a lot of retinol products which can irritate skin on the more sensitive side, this alt-retinol formula is more gentle. Yet just as effective.
Tula Wrinkle Treatment Drops Retinol Alternative Serum — $68.00
“This product is amazing. It has really helped with the fine lines and wrinkles around my eyes. I have sensitive skin and it doesn’t bother me at all or cause any redness. My face looks younger already,” one 35- to 44-year-old shopper exclaimed in the overflowing reviews section. “I’ve been using [it] for several weeks now and have already noticed my deep wrinkles are improved and my fine lines [are] virtually gone. It leaves my face smoother and with a better glow,” a 25- to 34-year-old shopper revealed.
Although all of the reviewers are verified buyers (*Carrie Bradshaw voice*), we couldn’t help but wonder: Is Tula Wrinkle Treatment Drops serum actually worth the hype? And, more specifically, can they really help reverse the signs of aging? To find out, we tapped the experts.
According to NYC-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King, the reason Tula Wrinkle Treatment Drops are so effective is thanks to their bakuchiol-infused formula.
“Bakuchiol is an extract of the Babchi plant long used in Ayurvedic medicine; it is one of the few retinol alternatives for which studies back up the pseudo-retinol effect of anti-aging and skin brightening,” she says. “Bakuchiol seems to be activating the genes that regulate collagen and elastin production—the same ones retinol activates. And it doesn’t seem to irritate and redden skin the way retinol often does, so it appears to be a gentler option.”
Bakuchiol isn’t the only stand-out, though. The drops are formulated with skin-boosting, barrier-supporting squalane, too.
“Squalane is helpful for dry skin because it is an excellent emollient,” King says. “And the antioxidant properties enable squalane to help protect the skin from free radicals. And because it also has anti-inflammatory properties, it can help soothe inflammatory skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea and inflammatory acne.”
That’s not to say only those with dry skin will benefit from these drops, though. “For those with oily skin, squalane is a nice option because it is lightweight and non-comedogenic and it absorbs quickly,” King says.
Tack on that the drops are infused with gently exfoliating lactic acid and the moisture-retaining humectant, glycerin, it’s clear to see why shoppers find these drops so life-changing.
As Dr. Michele J. Farber, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Philadelphia, PA, sees it: These drops “promote the skin barrier, make the skin appear more firm and supple, and thereby also reduce the appearance of fine lines.”
And there you have it: The newest contender for your summer skin-care routine.
Want to be the first to hear about the latest (and greatest) SHOP product drops, custom collections, discounts, and more? Sign up to have the intel delivered straight to your inbox.
Sign up for the Well+Good SHOP Newsletter
Get exclusive deals on wellness, beauty, fitness, and food products that have been hand-picked by our editors.
Got it, you've been added to our email list.
