When it comes to anti-aging skincare ingredients, everyone knows that retinol reigns supreme. The only issue? It can irritate the hell outta your skin. We’re talking flakes, dryness, redness—the whole deal. That’s why it can feel like a straight-up chore trying to add it to your routine, especially if you’re someone who already has sensitive skin. Enter: bakuchiol, the incredibly popular retinol alternative that’s known for being one of the only natural skincare ingredients that can rival the anti-aging effects of retinol—without as many side effects. Sounds almost too good to be true, right? But for once, it’s honestly not.
Bakuchiol may sound like some weird chemical, but it actually comes from a purple-flowered plant called babchi (which explains why so many of the best-selling bakuchiol products are purple). But because there’s so much confusion and skepticism around bakuchiol, I went ahead and chatted with a few dermatologists to help demystify this sensitive skin MVP. Check out the full breakdown below, then keep scrolling for the very best bakuchiol products to try out asap.
Meet the experts
- Geeta Yadav, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Science Dermatology in Toronto, Canada.
- Anar Mikailov, MD, is not only a board-certified dermatologist at the Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Burlington, MA, but also the founder of KP Away, a skincare line devoted to treating keratosis pilaris.
- Mona Gohara, MD, is an associate clinical professor of dermatologist at Yale School of Medicine, and a board-certified dermatologist at the Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut in multiple locations in CT.
- Shari Marchbein, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and an assistant professor of clinical dermatology at NYU School of Medicine. Dr. Marchbein has previously spoken to Cosmo about retinol face cream.
What does bakuchiol do for your skin?
“Bakuchiol is what is considered as a ‘phytoretinol,’ or a plant-based ingredient with similar functions and benefits of retinol, but one that’s still gentle enough for very sensitive skin,” says dermatologist Anar Mikailov. Just like with classic retinol or retinoids, bakuchiol can trigger collagen production and increase your skin’s cellular turnover, which can lead to smoother lines and wrinkles, firmer skin laxity, softer skin texture, and more even skin tone.
What differentiates bakuchiol (which is also an antioxidant, BTW) from retinol is that it also has built-in soothing properties. “It’s a great ingredient for people with skin that is prone to sensitivity and irritation,” says dermatologist Dr. Yadav. Though bakuchiol is considered non-irritating on most skin types and can be used nightly with no ramp-up period, you should still take it slow if you’re prone to dryness or irritation (hi, anyone with rosacea, hyper-sensitive skin, psoriasis, or eczema).
Is bakuchiol as good as retinol?
Surprisingly, yes—bakuchiol is nearly as effective as classic retinol. In one clinical study published in the British Journal of Dermatology in 2018, researchers found that bakuchiol was just as effective as retinol and significantly less irritating—a major plus for anyone who has sensitive skin. “Bakuchiol has been shown to increase collagen production and cell turnover to a similar degree as retinol, which is a pretty big deal,” says dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD.
But that doesn’t mean you have to pick sides if you can tolerate both—retinol and bakuchiol play nicely together and can work as teammates. “Bakuchiol isn’t considered an ‘active’ in the same was as retinol is, so I tell my patients there’s no harm in layering it with retinol,” says Dr. Gohara. “I mean, I layer on antioxidants in my skincare routine, so why wouldn’t I layer on collagen producers, too?” Dr. Gohara’s tip: Apply your cream or serum retinol first, then layer your bakuchiol on top.
Is bakuchiol safe for pregnancy?
As for using bakuchiol as a retinol alternative when you’re pregnant, you’ll want to bring that up with your doctor or OB/GYN first. “I always recommend checking with your doctor if you’re pregnant or nursing before you put anything on your skin,” says Dr. Gohara. “While, yes, bakuchiol is a plant, there isn’t sufficient testing on it just yet to make a blanket safety ruling.”
Okay, eyes glazing over and just want some quick picks for our favorite bakuchiol products? Take a look at this abbreviate list, then keep reading for the full breakdown on the best bakuchiol products (and how to pick the right formula for your skin type), below.
The best bakuchiol and retinol-alternative products of 2022
What to look for in a bakuchiol skincare product:
Its efficacy in comparison to retinol
As dermatologist Shari Marchbein, MD, previously told Cosmo, “Retinol is the most effective product for keeping your skin clear, smooth, and glowing—after sunscreen, of course.” The next best thing if you can’t handle retinol? A formula that can offer similar benefits as retinol, like one filled with bakuchiol. Make sure whatever product you’re getting is clearly a bakuchiol-first product (see: says it on the label or box)—anything that has bakuchiol as one of its last ingredients isn’t going to be as potent as a regular retinoid.
The other ingredients in the formula
If your skin is on the “tougher” side and can handle a few active ingredients at once, Dr. Yadav recommends looking for a bakuchiol product formulated with AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), like lactic, mandelic, and glycolic acids, to help smooth uneven skin texture faster and more effectively.
Or, if you’re more focused on trying to make your pores look smaller and improve uneven skin tone, Dr. Yadav suggests looking for a bakuchiol product with niacinamide, which is a potent antioxidant that helps brighten skin and even out oil production over time. And if all this sounds too difficult, don’t worry—bakuchiol alone “will still treat all of these issues without the potential irritation the other ingredients can cause,” says Dr. Yadav.
In other words, bakuchiol is kind of a big deal, and since it’s a clear favorite retinol alternative, we’ve rounded up 13 products for you to try for yourself.
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