This post is sponsored by Biossance & ShopStyle Collective.
I know I’m late to the Biossance party (Shana, Em, and Scotti have been raving about Biossance for a while now), but I’m thrilled I finally gave their clean skincare products a try. And even MORE thrilled with the new dewy finish of my skin. I find myself now NOT wanting to apply makeup in the mornings.
Why Biossance Is My New Go-To For A Clean Beauty Routine
It’s so weird, you guys…my skin is obviously not “perfect” after only a week of this new morning skincare routine, but after applying Biossance’s Squalane + BHA Pore-Minimizing Toner, followed by the Squalane + 10% Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum, the Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil, and finally their Squalane + Zinc Mineral Sunscreen, I find myself worrying that makeup will actually interfere with the dewy texture these products provide my skin. Most days this past week, I’ve just applied mascara and a bit of color to my cheeks and skipped everything else. Feels fantastic, especially with off and on mask-wearing during the day. If I do want a bit of coverage for my skin, I just mix in a little tinted moisturizer with the Squalane + Zinc Mineral Sunscreen.
**Right now, Sephora Rouge members and VIB members can shop the Sephora Spring Savings Event and get 20% or 15% off until 4/19 using code “OMGSPRING”! Starting tomorrow, 4/15, Insiders can get 10% off their purchase until 4/19 as many times as you want in-store and online. If you’re not a Sephora Beauty Insider member yet, sign up for free here and unlock 10% off tomorrow. **

My New Morning Skincare Routine: Toner | Dark Spot Serum | Vitamin C Oil | Sunscreen
Many of you have been raving about Biossance’s clean beauty regimens for a while now. Shana actually called me forever ago on the phone and instructed me to immediately purchase the resurfacing night serum for overnight glowing skin. And I was intrigued by Em’s post on the Biossance Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum… as well as Scotti’s review of the dewy Vitamin C Oil. When Biossance, therefore, reached out to team up with TME again, I was especially quick to jump on the opportunity to try out the products Shana, Em and Scotti love. But the surprise “love” of my order? Their very moisturizing Squalane + Zinc Mineral Sunscreen— no white cast on my skin at ALL!

What To Know About Biossance & Squalane
You may have some questions about what makes Biossance “clean,” as well as what the heck “Squalane” is. At least those were my main questions when I first looked at their products.
Clean Beauty: Biossance’s mission is to make all beauty clean. Their products are formulated without parabens, without synthetic fragrances, and are proudly vegan, cruelty-free and EWG-verified. They provide oodles of information on exactly what ingredients ARE in each of their products on Sephora’s site (up to 20% off right now through 4/19) in addition to the reason ingredients are included.
Squalane: After some reading and a lot of pronunciation guides, I now know that Squalane (with an “a”) is a molecule that hydrates and locks in moisture (i.e. plumps and gives you that oh-so-desired dewy feel and look). Our bodies produce “Squalene” (with an “e”) naturally, but our ability to produce and retain it decreases as we age (of course…boo!) Traditionally in skincare, the super-moisturizing molecule Squalene is harvested from shark livers, but Biossance derives their version of Squalane from sugarcane (Yay for more sustainable and FAR less gross than shark livers!). The sustainable and clean version of Squalane is now featured in all their products.
My New Morning Skincare Routine
1. Biossance Squalane + BHA Pore-Minimizing Toner


A brand new product from Biossance! After cleansing, I start my morning skincare routine with this pore-minimizing toner. I also sometimes skip cleansing if I’m not showering (I know…shame, shame, Linzi) and go straight to toner. You can apply the toner directly to your face with your hands, but I prefer to do a few shakes on my reusable cotton pad (homemade by my oh-so-talented mom) and then a quick swipe over my entire face.
I was drawn to Biossance’s toner because it’s made with raw white willow bark, a botanical ingredient similar to salicylic acid, that unclogs pores and exfoliates. It doesn’t feel harsh at all, though, and is made without alcohol. Smells fresh and clean. If my eyes are puffy, after applying the toner is when I add a few dabs of Squalane + Peptide Eye Gel. Otherwise, I move straight to my serum.
2. Biossance Squalane + 10% Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum


As soon as Em wrote about this dark spot-reducing product and I read all of the other glowing reviews, I knew I needed to try it. I struggle with dark pigmentation areas on my skin, and if you’re looking to avoid cosmetic dermatology procedures and laser treatments (which I am), my understanding is consistent use of Vitamin C in addition to good exfoliation (and of course sunscreen ALWAYS!) is the best way to brighten skin and reduce the appearance of dark spots.
I’ve added Shana’s fav resurfacing night serum every other night for increased exfoliation and am committing to daily Vitamin C use. Biossance’s Dark Spot Serum is 10% Vitamin C and is combined with white shiitake mushroom and licorice root extract to brighten skin and decrease pigmentation, as well as fight formation of new dark spots. This product goes on smoothly, has a nice neutral scent, and although changing the dark spots will take some time, I’ve already noticed an overall improvement in the brightness of my skin tone. Excited to report back how my dark spots are doing after longer use.
Note: The Dark Spot Serum is going quickly! If you find it listed as “sold out” you can still select the “Pick Up In Store” option to buy, and pick up curbside at a Sephora near you!
3. Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil


This is the luxe step of my morning routine that I now look forward to when I wake up. I use oil on my face in the evenings as a last step in my routine. I relish the overall feel of my skin soaking up all that goodness, but I’ve been nervous to try oil in the mornings…worrying it will be too greasy or heavy for daytime skin. I was wrong.
This Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil is perfect for my morning routine (but can also be used in the evenings). Vitamin C for brightening, Squalane to instantly lock in moisture, and Chios Crystal Oil to visibly improve firmness. After applying, your skin feels fresh, bright, and has an immediate glow. I’ve also used it on my nails, lips, and over makeup on my cheeks for a little extra glow. It’s lovely.
4. Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen


Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen is the surprise hit of my Biossance order. I have and wear a lot of different sunscreens, but this is the one I’ve been reaching for every morning since it arrived. It’s 100% non-nano zinc sunscreen, but goes on completely sheer. Yep..that’s right…no white cast AT ALL! It also leaves your skin with the best dewy texture.
As I mentioned before, this is the last step of my routine and where I start questioning if I even want to wear makeup at all. I mean…why do I want to mess with the dewy finish and texture I’m left with after this morning skincare routine? Most days this week…the answer to if I want to wear anything other than mascara and a bit of color on my cheeks has been a “no”.
Biossance Skincare Products I Have & Use
Biossance Skincare Products I Want To Try Next
A HUGE thank you to Biossance and ShopStyle Collective for sponsoring this post. I can’t believe I’ve waited this long to try your clean beauty products and am so happy to be using them now as my morning skincare routine. SUCH a fan…and if I like them this much after just one week, I can’t wait to see the results after using them longer!
Do you know if the Biossance zinc sunscreen is also no-white-cast on darker skin (people of color)? I would love to hear a review of its white cast status from Kat, especially since it’s clean beauty! Forgive my skepticism, but I’ve tried many many mineral sunscreens and 99% show white cast on darker skin, even if they work great for white people. It would be super awesome if Biossance was an exception to the unwritten “rule” that I’ve found.
Hi Lisa. So glad you asked. My husband has dark brown skin (he’s from South India) and I made him try it last night when I saw your comment….you can imagine how excited he was about this little experiment right before he got in bed…ha! 🙂 I was thrilled, though, that it blended in well on his skin…no white cast. It’s still sunscreen…so you have to rub it in more than you would a serum or moisturizer, but it’s pretty darn good and no sunscreen weird smell either. I’m going to try it on my kiddos too (who have light-medium brown skin)…almost all of the zinc/mineral sunscreens I’ve tried on them actually give them a purpley-white cast (which they don’t really care about), but someday they likely will. I’ll see if Kat has tried this specific sunscreen as well. Thank you so much for the comment and question…appreciate it!
I am a HUGE fan of their eye cream! (not the gel) I swear it is magic. You’ve got to try it!!
Ooohh…good to hear. Thanks, Lauren!
That’s awesome to hear, thank you for being so quick to experiment! I have medium olive Asian skin, so if it worked for your husband it’s worth me giving it a try 🙂