Biologi are an Australian brand committed to providing pure active plant phtyo-nutrients in serum form. They’re well known for offering a potent single plant extract per serum, focusing on Australian natives, such as mountain pepper berry, kakadu plum and finger lime.

*Update 23/11/2023*

I think it’s best to address the issues currently surrounding Biologi. I had seen on Instagram that they had received a court order from the Australian Federal Court related to certain ingredients and claims made by the company.

A kind reader sent me links which you can find in their comment below, which sum up the outcome of that court order. You can also find Corrective Court Orders on the Biologi website. 

To be completely blunt, the main concerns include Biologi purposely breaching Australian consumer law, by misleading consumers with incorrect claims. These are a summary of their Corrective Court Orders.

• The company completing independent analytical testing for their products (some of the Certificates of Analysis had been modified)
• Incorrect and unauthorised use of organic certification
• High level of vitamin c (despite none being found in independent studies of the Bf and Bk serums)
• Incorrectly claimed that their products only contain one, pure plant ingredient, no additives and remain undiluted (Tests showed products contain glycerin and Biologi also admit to using 0.2% Sodium Benzoate as a preservative)
• Falsely claiming they were the first company to stabilise natural vitamin c
• Claiming to have a compound Byangelican (which does not exist)

It’s worth mentioning that Lisa Carroll, who represents Native Extracts, started these legal proceedings against Biologi and Ross Macdougald. Native Extracts was co-created in 2012 by the pair, who were also personally involved at the time. Ross’s shareholdings were purchased by Lisa in 2016 and he resigned as Director.

The allegations brought against Mr Macdougald included:

(1)    the restraint of trade clause and confidentiality clause in the deed of settlement had been breached;

(2)    Mr Ross Macdougald also breached his statutory and equitable duties of confidence which arose by reason of his position as a director of Native Extracts and a trustee of the Native Extracts Holding Trust;

(3)    Plant Extracts had infringed Native Extracts’ copyright in circumstances where Plant Extracts modified scientific documents that belonged to Native Extracts before sending them to customers;

(4)    Plant Extracts and the sixth respondent had engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct.¹

Despite any potential conflicts of interest, I believe that the resulting proof of misleading advertising and breach of Consumer law is far more important.

When I first saw anything about this case, I’d only managed to find their corrective court orders on their instagram because of Estee Laundry. On Biologi’s profile they are hidden behind a carousel of photos, starting with a picture of a shadow of a leaf. I assume comments are also turned off, as there are none. As they say the matter is currently ongoing, I had hoped they would address it. I believe such an important development would require a more prominent post or even a passing mention to their email subscribers (which I have been since the beginning of the year). I also believe they should allow customers to ask questions on their social media. So far all communication or posts have been regularly scheduled sales or promotion of new products. I can only assume that they are screening previous and their continued posts as there is still nothing concerning their court case.

I personally won’t be repurchasing Biologi products, based on these findings, but also because of their lack of proactive and transparent disclosure of this court case. I personally don’t think a single post, hidden vaguely within their Instagram grid, shows the extent of the situation.

I do want to leave this review up though, as I believe my reader has provided valuable information, that any customer deserves to know before they spend their money.

So please, if you do happen to continue reading, just know that this was my previous experience with these serums from Biologi but I will no longer support them. I will leave the links sent to me below (please be advised that the link to the Financial Review is behind a paywall).

Federal Court of Australia – Native Extracts Pty Ltd V Plant Extracts Pty Ltd (2023) FCA 1265

BioLIEgi: Unpacking the Recent Biologi Court Findings and What it Means for the Cosmetics Industry

If you’re interested in reading more, then these articles should help:

Skincare Brand Biologi Breach the Australian Consumer Law – Order to Publish 5 Corrective Notices

Biologi Court Order: Unveiling the Truth Behind Misleading Claims in the Skincare Industry

I have been converted to the wonders of a good water based serum and I love that theirs are pure and potent with a specialised extraction process. To be completely honest, initially I wasn’t sold on the one ingredient. Curiosity got the better of me and their sample sizes somehow snuck their way into my shopping cart one day!.

Actually the fact that they sell sample/travel sizes is the only reason they snuck into my cart. They may be the highest concentrate of botanical phyto-nutrients but they’re also priced accordingly. I don’t mind paying for quality and ethical skincare, but I never know how my skin will react. I have been much more wary of buying full size skincare lately, so sample sizes are a good compromise.

All of these serums feels just like spreading water on your face. It’s incredibly lightweight. Unfortunately I don’t really like the feeling of them once they’re on. I don’t know what it is, but even under my oil serums, it leaves my face feeling tacky. Sometimes I also have to wash my hands afterwards because the stickiness drives me insane. The more I use them, the more I’m getting used to it, but it’s annoying. I haven’t felt that tackiness in any of the other serums I’ve used.

Bd – Face Serum Luminosity / $20.00 AUD – $108.00 AUD for 5ml – 30ml

Ingredients

Davidson Plum Extract, 0.2% Sodium Benzoate

For each of these I’m going to speak a little about the specific phytonutrients, as that seems to be the main point of difference between these serums.

Davidson plum contains gallic and tantaric acid, anthocyanin and quercetin. They say it has the power to calm redness, clarify oily skin, reduce sun spots and improve overall appearance.

After starting with Bf, taking a break, I tried the Bd face serum instead. It didn’t cause me any issues so I was able to keep applying nightly. I have definitely noticed a difference in terms of hydration. When my skin is properly hydrated my makeup sits so much nicer. There seems to be less texture and a small reduction in fine lines too, most noticeably on my forehead, I feel like my pores look smoothed and less noticeable, except of course the deeper left over acne scars. I wouldn’t really be able to say whether they’ve help lighten pimple scars, as that also happens on it’s own, over time. It definitely hasn’t made a noticable difference to my overall skintone or sun damage, but I while I wouldn’t expect it to, it’s name kind of implies it would.

They do mention that if your skin is highly sensitive you should start with the Bf and Bk serum to first improve the skin barrier. I didn’t have to do this and my skin seems to tolerate it very well.

Bf – Restore Body Serum / $14.00, $34.00, $72.00 or $140.00 AUD for 5ml, 20ml, 50ml & 100ml

Ingredients

Finger lime, 0.2% Sodium Benzoate

Finger lime is a plant-based natural vitamin c, delivering tryptophan and ferulic acid to protect the skin from environmental damage.

I applied only this consistently for a week and it made a noticeable difference, despite the fact I didn’t like it once it was on. It’s a pity since it does smooth my skin, especially on my cheeks. It didn’t improve congestion, especially around my temples and neck. I’m also not entirely sure it’s not contributing to it either. I feel like a few more pimples popped up when I started using it but my skin has been very tempermental lately, so I will try it again.

Bm – Regenerate Anti-Aging Serum / $24.00 AUD – $125.00 AUD 5ml – 30ml

Ingredients

Mountain Pepper Berry, 0.2% Sodium Benzoate

Mountain Pepper Berry has protocatechuic acid, amino acids, anthocyanin, rutin and chlorogenic acid.

I’m currently using this one to see how it goes after my skin has been improved by the Bm. This one is slightly less tacky than the others, but still enough to annoy me. It seems to be maintaining my skin fantastically after the Bm serum. I’m so surprised at how smooth my skin looks and feels. The pores on my cheeks also look so much less noticeable.

B4 – Defence Serum

Ingredients

Strawberry Gum leaf, 0.2% Sodium Benzoate

Strawberry gum leaf extract contains vitamin c, salicylic acid, B3, B5, B2, B6, protocatechuic acid, isoflavone, phenolic acics, flavonoids. These phyto-nutrients can reverse visible signs of environmental damage

This one is just as sticky as the others but has more noticeable slightly sweet scent. I don’t mind it since it’s barely noticeable and it doesn’t linger. I do like that this is a combination of many touted skincare ingredients such as vitamin c and niacinamide. It has a very slight sweet, fresh smell which might not be to everyone’s liking but it’s not bothersome to me.

I just wanted to mention that they have now released this in 20ml, but now called Bg Defence Anti-Pollution. It’s $15.00 AUD – $58.00 AUD for 5ml or 20ml.

Final Word

I was pleasantly surprised when I could see an improvement in my skin after using the Bd serum for about 1-2 weeks at least once every night. It’s always nice to see after consistent use, though I didn’t really notice it until I applied makeup. I will say though, that I didn’t notice a huge reduction in fine lines or skin tone, just skin texture. It would be nice if these improved all three areas but I do think one it worth it for how well they smooth my skin alone.

I can’t differentiate results to a specific serum but I do think the Bd, Davidson Plum slightly edges out the rest as it was the one I could at least tolerate the tackiness. It’s a shame that they leave such an annoying feeling on my fingers. I like to keep any left over skincare and rub it all over my hands. Sometimes I just can’t stand the feeling of this so I have to wash it off. 

I think I’ll add the Bd serum into my routine, as it’s nice to support Australian and I really do like how my skin is looking and feeling. I also like that they mention that they have cultivated relationships with local growers, so I would hope that they are paying respects and contributing to the indigenous communities who have been using these Australian natives for centuries.

*Update 23/11/2023*

If you’ve made it this far, then thank you! I really hope you’ve been able to read about the court findings in the case against Biologi for yourself. Never forget that money speaks the loudest and you can always expect better from the companies you’re purchasing from.

Find more information here: Official Website – Corrective Court Orders