This Fruit Extract Reduces Wrinkles and Crows Feet Just as Well as Retinol

As we get older, we tend to opt for skincare products with ingredients that treat the signs of aging, like fine lines and wrinkles. Many anti-aging skincare products attribute their effectiveness to retinol, but we’ve just learned of another ingredient that’s giving the skin-healing vitamin a run for its money — rambutan extract.

If you’ve never heard of rambutan, you’re not alone. This spiky red fruit is a relative of lychee, and it’s native to South East Asia. Rambutan has a sweet, creamy taste and is super delicious to eat, but what’s even more impressive are its benefits for aging skin.

Rambutan Extract for Aging Skin

Many manufacturers are now incorporating rambutan into their skincare products, and for good reason. Extracts from the fruit have been shown in studies to strengthen and hydrate the skin, locking in moisture and improving skin elasticity. In fact, researchers have compared rambutan extract to retinol, which is known to promote skin cell turnover and stimulate collagen production.

According to one September 2019 study, rambutan extract can “rejuvenate the skin, improve elasticity, and reduce crow’s-feet… just as the gold-standard active retinol does.” It also contains high amounts of antioxidants like manganese and vitamin C, which boost collagen production and protect the skin from free-radical damage.

Skincare expert and founder of Alpyn Beauty Kendra Butler even suggests that for some, rambutan extract could be a more desirable alternative to retinol. “Retinol has had a gold-standard mark for years and it deserves it. It’s a great ingredient, but it’s not for everyone,” she told Coveteur. “It could cause skin sensitivity and irritation — you shouldn’t use it pregnant or while you’re breastfeeding. So the switch to rambutan was a no-brainer to me. You have this plant-based and sustainably sourced ingredient where you can get the same results as retinol without any of the downsides.” That’s why she decided to incorporate it into her latest anti-aging product, Alpyn Beauty’s Wild Nettle and Niacinamide Firming Serum (Buy on Amazon, $58).

If you’ve found that retinol isn’t the ideal ingredient for your skin, but you still want to reduce the signs of aging, give products containing rambutan extract a try. You could find yourself with healthier, younger-looking skin in no time.