Bakuchiol Benefits
How It Differs from Retinol and Which Skin It Suits

Bakuchiol benefits: how is it like retinol?

Bakuchiol comes from the seeds of the babchi plant. It looks nothing like retinol chemically, yet studies found it does similar things in skin, which is how it came to be called a plant retinol.

• Fine lines: In a trial of a 0.5% bakuchiol cream used for 12 weeks, fine lines decreased (Chaudhuri et al., 2014).
• Firmness and texture: The same study reported better firmness and smoother texture.
• Pigment: In the study comparing it with retinol, dullness and pigment faded to a similar degree (Dhaliwal et al., 2019).

Why it works like retinol

Retinol switches on a renewal signal in skin cells, which builds collagen and turns over old skin. Bakuchiol is shaped differently, but an experiment found that the gene responses it switches on in skin cells overlap a lot with those of retinol (Chaudhuri et al., 2014). The collagen-building signal switched on as well.

Because it does not need to convert into another substance inside skin the way retinol does, it is known to have fewer of retinol drawbacks, such as breaking down easily in light or stinging hard.

How it differs from retinol: what the study found

One trial compared the two directly. For 12 weeks, 44 adults applied either 0.5% bakuchiol twice a day or 0.5% retinol once a day, and wrinkles and pigment improved to a similar degree. The difference was side effects. Flaking and stinging were more common with retinol (Dhaliwal et al., 2019).

The trial was small, with 44 people, and the two groups applied different amounts. So it is hard to call bakuchiol equal to retinol. It is best seen as an ingredient worth trying if retinol is too much for you.

Which skin bakuchiol suits

If fine lines and firmness bother you but retinol leaves you red and flaky, look here first. It does not break down easily in light, so you can use it in the morning too, which helps if you want to split actives between morning and evening.

Guidance advises avoiding retinoids such as retinol during pregnancy, so bakuchiol often comes up as an alternative (ACOG). Studies in pregnant women are still lacking, though, so check with your obstetrician or dermatologist first. See the pregnancy skincare guide for more.

How to choose a bakuchiol product

Bakuchiol works in small amounts, and the studies used 0.5%. So finding it near the end of the list is normal, and since ingredients under 1% can be listed in any order, its position cannot tell you the amount. Of the 2,426 full ingredient lists we have collected, 41 contain bakuchiol, mostly toward the end. Look at these instead.

• Stated content: In Korea, a product that puts bakuchiol in its name must also state the content on the package (Enforcement Rule of the Cosmetics Act, Article 19). Of our 41 products, 9 put bakuchiol in the name, which makes amounts easy to compare.
• Fragrance: If you are looking for something gentler than retinol, a fragrance-free product fits better.
• What comes with it: Many products pair it with firming or moisturizing ingredients such as peptides, niacinamide or panthenol. Pick the partner that fits your concern.

Products with bakuchiol

From our collection, we picked mostly products that put bakuchiol in the name.

• COSRX The Blue Peptide Bakuchiol Plump Glow Serum: adds peptides to bakuchiol, a first look if you also want to work on firmness. The same line has a Plump Bounce Cream.
• Dr.G Bakuchiol Pore Jet Serum: is a bakuchiol serum aimed at pores, worth a look if oil and pores bother you.
• Dr.Jart+ Prejuvenation Firming Bakuchiol Serum: is a firming line serum. It lists fragrance, so keep that in mind if you are sensitive to scent.
• SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Bakuchiol Eye Cream: is for the eye area, pairing bakuchiol with centella for thin, delicate skin.

For a product not listed here, enter its name and we will analyze the ingredients.

How to apply it and what to watch

• Once a day at first: It tends to be gentle, but start once a day and watch how your skin responds.
• Mornings are fine: It does not break down easily in light, so morning use is fine. Wear sunscreen during the day.
• With retinol: If you are not used to retinol yet, do not start both together. Get used to one before adding the other.
• Where it goes: Use it at the serum or oil step. See Skincare layering order if unsure.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use bakuchiol during pregnancy?

It is not a retinoid, so the pregnancy caution attached to retinol does not apply to it, but studies in pregnant women are still lacking. Check with your obstetrician or dermatologist first.

Can I use it with retinol?

Both work on renewing skin, so using them together can stack irritation. Skin used to retinol sometimes combines them, but start with one at a time. See the ingredient combination guide.

Can I apply it in the morning?

Yes. It does not break down easily in light, so morning use is fine. Wear sunscreen too.

How long until I see results?

The studies looked at 12 weeks of use. Give it several weeks of steady use and watch for change.