Can Bakuchiol Really Replace Retinol for Sensitive Skin?
If you've been told retinol is the gold standard for anti-ageing but your skin can't tolerate it, you're not alone. Here's what 10 years of formulating with bakuchiol has taught...
More than skin deep. Perfect for sensitive and rosacea-prone skin. Handmade in Nottingham since 2016
Build your bundle from £49 + ROOTED™
These are the five hero products you've told me you love most.
They're available to purchase individually or in bundles - better value, and the ROOTED™ self-regulation system included.
Free 24hr tracked shipping on ALL orders.
Choose ANY* 2 for £49 or 3 for £69 (free 24hr tracked UK shipping).
New to Skin Elixir? Start with the Discovery Set (£20) - try all 5 with free 24hr tracked shipping.
[Build Your Bundle] [Shop Discovery Set]
*You can choose two of the same if you wish
Experience the entire Skin Elixir Core Five ritual with my Discovery Set - sample sizes of all five natural bakuchiol and black seed oil products:
Organic Frankincense & May Chang Moisturiser
Includes the physical ROOTED™ 10-card deck and an information card to guide your first week of self-regulation skincare.
£20 (Includes Free 24hr Tracked Postage).
These core Five Products sold as bundles only. Choose any 2 for £49 or any 3 for £69 Build your own Bundle
My high-potency, multi-tasking products featuring Thymoquinone are designed to work in synergy to build lasting skin resilience.
The Duo (£49): Any 2 products + Complimentary 24 UK Postage.
The Trio (£69): Any 3 products Complimentary 24 UK Postage.
The Alchemist's Gift: Every order includes the ROOTED™ Self-Regulation System 10-card deck to calm your mind while you nourish your skin with Thymoquinone alchemy.
I built every product in my Core Five on two powerhouse botanicals: Black Seed Oil and Frankincense.
I use Black Seed Oil for its potent compound, Thymoquinone - a scientific marvel for skin health that calms inflammation and fights oxidative stress. I pair this with Frankincense across the entire range to rejuvenate, firm the skin and promote self-regulation.
For those seeking the results of Retinol but without the irritation, I have infused Bakuchiol into my Intensive Night Cream, All Around Eyes Elixir, and Super Natural Oil - my 'retinol alternative' trio for cellular renewal and skin firming action.
Build my bundleI'm Shona Munro, the Alchemist and Formulator of Skin Elixir™.
For 10 years, I've been formulating by hand with Thymoquinone - a potent compound found in Black Seed Oil. Not in a generic lab. Not in theory. But in my hands, in my micro-batches, and on real skin, and on real skin. This hands-on approach is why my customers have remained loyal for 10 years.
I know it works because I've seen it heal rosacea, calm inflammation, and transform skin that nothing else could touch.
This expertise in self-regulation skincare has led to an invitation to speak as a Guest Speaker at the University of Nottingham Dermatology Society on Saturday January 31st.
Meet the streamlined collection that has earned a decade of loyalty and 460+ five-star reviews. These Thymoquinone-rich products work in synergy for self-regulation.
The Core Five are available exclusively in bundles - choose a pre-set ritual or build your own.
Life moves fast. Notifications, deadlines, overwhelm. Your body holds the stress and your skin shows it.
But what if your skincare ritual could do more than nourish your skin? What if it could regulate your nervous system too?
Introducing ROOTED
Not affirmations. Instructions.
ROOTED is a portable toolkit of 10 evidence-based self-regulation practices designed to help you move from overwhelm to calm in real time.
R – Regulation
O – Observation
O – Openness
T – Transformation
E – Embodiment
D – Devotion
Each card includes a specific practice with clear instructions: 4-7-8 breath, grounding technique, progressive relaxation, body scans, sensory anchoring.
Pair them with your skincare ritual:
Apply your Magnificent Night Oil. Practice the 4-7-8 breath while it absorbs. Let the scent of vetiver and sandalwood become your anchor for calm—anytime, anywhere.
ROOTED by Skin Elixir™ | Portable card deck | Created by Shona, founder of Skin Elixir | No fluff, just tools that work.
FREEcwith your Bundle order or Discovery.
In 2016, I founded Skin Elixir™ in Nottingham. A decade later, my mission remains the same: authentic, small-batch skincare that respects your skin and your nervous system. I am the alchemist behind every formula, ensuring quality and efficacy.
I am honored to be a guest speaker at the University of Nottingham Dermatology Society Conference next week. After 10 years of formulating with Black Seed Oil, I’ve seen firsthand the skin-transforming power of its star ingredient, Thymoquinone. I’ll be talking about my path as a founder-maker and how we can support skin health through the lens of self-regulation and plant-driven wisdom.
I don't believe in fleeting trends. My products are built on genuine experience and backed by tangible results found in over 460 five-star reviews. The story behind my unique approach is a decade in the making.
"My skin has never looked better—glowing and so soft!"
"I love the natural ingredients and how gentle it is on my sensitive skin."
"The ritual of applying it calms me as much as it helps my skin."
"Foundation-free and confident—finally!"
"It's like a spa moment in my own bathroom."
"My fine lines have visibly reduced, and my skin feels plumper."
Direct responses from the Skin Elixir Evolution Customer Survey Dec 2025
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I recently presented Skin Elixir's Self-Regulation Skincare™ approach at University of Nottingham Dermatology Society Conference.
And read about Research Collaboration Opportunity