What Is Bakuchiol? Benefits and How It Compares to Retinol
Bakuchiol is a plant-derived skincare ingredient used in products for skin texture, fine lines, firmness, and uneven skin tone.
It has become especially popular among people looking for some of the same skincare benefits associated with retinol, but with a potentially gentler feel on the skin.
However, bakuchiol is not retinol or a form of vitamin A. The two ingredients are chemically different, and there is also a big difference in how much research is available for each ingredient.
In this guide, we’ll look at what bakuchiol is, its potential skin benefits, and how it compares to retinol.
What Is Bakuchiol?
Bakuchiol is a compound mainly obtained from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia, also known as babchi.
The plant itself has a long history of traditional use, but the bakuchiol found in modern skincare is a purified ingredient used in cosmetic formulations.
Bakuchiol gained attention in skincare because research found retinol-like activity in some processes related to skin aging.
A 2014 study, for example, found that bakuchiol may influence gene expression and collagen-related activity associated with skin aging.
Why Is Bakuchiol Called a Retinol Alternative?
Bakuchiol is often described as a “plant-based retinol alternative” or “gentle retinol alternative.”
But this does not mean bakuchiol is a plant-based form of retinol.
Bakuchiol and retinol have different chemical structures, and bakuchiol does not belong to the retinoid family.
They are compared because they are used to address some of the same concerns, including fine lines, skin texture, and hyperpigmentation.
In a small clinical study comparing 0.5% bakuchiol with 0.5% retinol, both groups showed improvements in wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. However, scaling and stinging were reported more often in the retinol group.
The study included only 44 participants, so it is important not to assume that bakuchiol and retinol provide exactly the same results.
Key Benefits of Bakuchiol
Fine Lines and Signs of Skin Aging
Bakuchiol has mainly been studied for its potential role in improving fine lines and other visible signs of skin aging.
Clinical research has found improvements in wrinkles after consistent use, which has helped establish bakuchiol as an ingredient used in anti-aging skincare.
Uneven Skin Tone
Research comparing bakuchiol with retinol also found improvements in hyperpigmentation among people using bakuchiol.
For this reason, bakuchiol can be found in products designed to address both visible signs of aging and uneven skin tone.
Skin Texture
Bakuchiol is also used in serums and creams designed to help skin look smoother and firmer.
Today, it can be found in several product types, including facial serums, creams, and eye products.
Bakuchiol vs. Retinol: What Is the Difference?
Although they can be used for similar skin concerns, they are not the same ingredient.
| Bakuchiol | Retinol | |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredient type | Plant-derived compound | Vitamin A derivative |
| A retinoid? | No | Yes |
| Common uses | Fine lines, texture, uneven skin tone | Fine lines, texture, pigmentation, acne |
| Amount of research | Relatively limited | Extensive |
| Tolerability | Generally considered gentler | May cause dryness, peeling, or stinging |
One of the biggest differences is the amount of research behind each ingredient.
Retinol and other retinoids have been studied for decades for concerns including skin aging and acne. Clinical research on bakuchiol is still much more limited.
If your skin already responds well to retinol, there is no need to switch to bakuchiol simply because it is plant-derived.
On the other hand, if dryness or irritation makes retinol difficult to use, bakuchiol may be another option to consider.
Who Is Bakuchiol Best For?
Bakuchiol may appeal to people who want to start addressing visible signs of skin aging but prefer a gentler approach to active skincare.
It may be worth considering if you:
- want to address fine lines and skin texture
- find retinol dryness or stinging difficult to tolerate
- prefer a gentler anti-aging routine
However, “plant-derived” does not mean irritation is impossible.
How a product feels on your skin depends not only on the amount of bakuchiol it contains, but also on the other ingredients and the overall formula.
When Did Bakuchiol Become Popular in Skincare?
Bakuchiol itself is not a newly discovered compound.
The babchi plant has been known for a long time, and scientific research on bakuchiol goes back decades.
However, bakuchiol became widely known to skincare consumers much more recently.
Interest increased after research published in 2014 explored its retinol-like activity, followed by a clinical study directly comparing bakuchiol with retinol.
By the late 2010s, bakuchiol was increasingly marketed in North America and other global beauty markets as a retinol alternative, helping bakuchiol become a more familiar skincare ingredient.
🇰🇷 Local Note
In Korean skincare, bakuchiol has not developed into a major standalone category in the same way as retinol. Instead, it is often found in slow-aging, firming, and skin-texture formulas.
Korean products often pair bakuchiol with ingredients such as retinol, peptides, niacinamide, Centella asiatica, or moisturizing ingredients, rather than making bakuchiol the only focus of the formula.
This is slightly different from the way bakuchiol is often presented in North America. There, it is easy to find products that put bakuchiol front and center as a “gentler alternative to retinol.” In Korea, it is more often used as one part of a broader anti-aging formula rather than as a complete replacement for retinol.
FAQ
Is Bakuchiol a Natural Retinol?
No.
Bakuchiol is plant-derived, but it is not retinol or a retinoid.
It is sometimes marketed as a “natural retinol alternative” because it is used for some of the same skin concerns, but the two ingredients are chemically different.
Is Bakuchiol Gentler Than Retinol?
Current research suggests that bakuchiol may be better tolerated by some people.
In one clinical study comparing bakuchiol and retinol, scaling and stinging were reported more often in the retinol group.
However, bakuchiol can still cause irritation depending on your skin and the product formula, so it should not be considered irritation-free.
Can You Use Bakuchiol During the Day?
Yes. Bakuchiol is not a retinoid and is commonly used in both morning and evening skincare.
It is also considered more photostable than retinol, which makes it easier to include in a daytime routine.
Follow the directions for your specific product, and use sunscreen during the day.
Can You Use Bakuchiol With Vitamin C, AHA, BHA, or Retinol?
Bakuchiol is often used in formulas alongside other active ingredients, including vitamin C, exfoliating acids, and retinol.
Bakuchiol is generally well tolerated, which can make it easier to pair with other active ingredients than retinol. Even so, layering several actives at once may still lead to dryness or irritation.
If you use AHA, BHA, or retinol in the same routine, introduce the combination gradually and adjust it based on how your skin responds.
Sources
- Clinical dermatology research: Comparison of 0.5% bakuchiol and 0.5% retinol for visible skin aging and skin irritation
- Cosmetic science research: Bakuchiol’s retinol-like activity and research related to collagen and skin aging
- Dermatology systematic reviews: Clinical research on bakuchiol for skin aging and pigmentation, including limitations of the current evidence
- Korean and North American beauty retailers: Current bakuchiol product formulations in Korea and retinol-alternative positioning in North America