When it comes to anti-aging ingredients, retinol is usually considered the gold standard. The skin care powerhouse is featured in many serums and creams that promise to reduce the appearance of fine lines and signs of aging. And while experts agree that it can be a helpful tool for tackling those issues, it can also come with some unfortunate side effects like redness and dryness, especially for those with sensitive skin.
If you’ve struggled to get past the retinol-induced irritation, bakuchiol (buh-koo-chee-all) could be a good alternative. Often called “nature’s retinol,” the plant-based ingredient has been popping up in an increasing number of beauty product labels and all over social media lately.
So we tapped Dr. Jordan C. Carqueville, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of The Derm Institute of Chicago, to get all the details on the trendy ingredient. We also asked our editors to share their tried-and-true favorite skin care products with bakuchiol as well.
Keep reading to find our complete list of expert-recommended and editor-tested bakuchiol products, including a Shop TODAY Beauty Awards winner for under $25.
What is bakuchiol?
Bakuchiol is a phytochemical that comes from the leaves and stems of the babchi plant (Psoralea corylifolia), which has long been used in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine. When applied to the skin, its effects are similar to those of retinol, Carqueville says. Like its vitamin A-derived counterpart, bakuchiol can help boost collagen production, making your skin look tighter and plumper.
“As we age, our fibroblasts become senescent, so they stop producing as much collagen,” Carqueville says. Retinoids and bakuchiol can help counteract that. “When you use topicals like these, you stimulate these cells to become alive again … that means that you’re growing new cells, and your skin is supple and tighter. It helps to reduce photodamage as well because you’re stimulating those cells.” For the same reason, bakuchiol can also help reduce the appearance of static wrinkles, which are caused by loss of collagen and elasticity.
As an added bonus, the ingredient exfoliates that top layer of the skin, which can help improve brightness, she said. It’s also an antioxidant, so it fights damaging free radicals caused by UV exposure.
While retinol delivers similar benefits, it usually comes with an adjustment period, during which time your skin may be red, flaky and dry while it gets used to the ingredient. With bakuchiol, there’s less risk of irritation, Carqueville notes, although experts aren’t entirely sure why.
How to choose a bakuchiol product
The ingredient can be used to both prevent and help treat age-related skin issues, and could be a good option for anyone looking to brighten their skin, fade pigmentation and boost collagen production, Carqueville says. You should always be applying SPF daily, but just like with retinol, when using bakuchiol, it’s important to be mindful of sun exposure and apply sunscreen regularly, as it could make you more susceptible to burns.
There are a variety of options on the market, from creams to serums, and which one you choose is mostly a matter of personal preference, she says. “Someone with oily skin might prefer something that’s not oil-based, and someone with dry skin might prefer an oil-based or cream-based product.”
The best expert-recommended and editor-tested bakuchiol skin care products
Dr. Michelle Henry, a board-certified dermatologist, previously explained to Shop TODAY that this budget-friendly skin care product combines microencapsulated retinol and bakuchiol, a natural retinol alternative, which work toward skin renewal aiding in cell turnover.
This creamy serum is formulated for retinol beginners and should be used nightly, according to the brand.
Deputy managing editor Jess Bender tested these Shop TODAY Beauty Award-winning eye patches from Derma-E and saw positive results. “I’ve been incorporating eye patches into my self-care routine more regularly lately,” she notes. “We’re approaching the busiest time of the year in the commerce realm, so any facet of relaxation is crucial for me to make it to the theoretical finish line. I discovered this pair of eye patches earlier this year and was intrigued by the retinol/bakuchiol blend in their key ingredients list. While I can’t speak on any long-term effects on my fine lines yet, I can say that the instant effects are more than enough to be excited about – they’re cooling, calming, brightening and overall make me look way more awake than I actually am.”
“As someone with a super sensitive complexion (if I use the wrong product, I can be sick for a week — my skin is that sensitive), this was a major perk of the product for me,” explained Shop TODAY contributing writer PJ Gach. “I was extremely pleased that I didn’t have any type of reaction from Andalou Naturals’ face cream. Even the scent was fine for me. There was no itching, and not once did my skin feel like it was on fire.”
Associate editor Shannon Garlin is a big fan of this dermatologist-tested eye gel from Belif. “I love using this eye cream as a part of my nighttime routine,” raves Garlin. “The applicator is really cooling and it provides moisturizing and calming results.”
Dr. Zion Ko Lamm, a board-certified internal medicine physician, recommended this moisturizing serum, which is suitable for all skin types. This nourishing formula contains 1.25% bakuchiol as well as peptides, which are two ingredients that “offer benefits similar to retinol, such as improving skin texture and reducing the appearance of wrinkles,” noted Lamm.
More bakuchiol skin care products to shop
This bakuchiol serum has two layers: the top is an antioxidant and probiotic-rich essence and the bottom is a moisturizing serum. Shake before use to combine and get the full skin rejuvenating effects.
Meant for daily use, this top-rated moisturizer promises to deliver rich hydration and anti-aging benefits thanks to ingredients like bakuchiol and more. It’s available as a night cream, moisturizer and firming body lotion, so you can work the star ingredient into your routine in a variety of ways.
Part serum, part moisturizer, this formula is designed to protect and hydrate skin. To make the product, bakuchiol extract is spun into a hyaluronic acid serum. The result? A slushy-like texture that the brand says is truly “one-of-a-kind.”
This bakuchiol and SPF treatment is a classic from the beloved sunscreen brand Supergoop! According to the brand, the two ingredients work together to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while preventing future damage. It’s said to be gentle enough for daytime use, and the company says that you can even put it on in the morning and still use your go-to retinol in the evening (as long as your skin tolerates it) to give your anti-aging routine a boost.
This option from Paula’s Choice uses both bakuchiol — one of the only ingredients that can stabilize retinol, according to the brand — and a low percentage of retinol to stimulate and strengthen the skin. Though this option will have an adjustment period, like other retinol-based products. The brand recommends applying three times per week to start, followed up by a moisturizer or SPF during the day.
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How we chose
Allie Wise is an associate editor for Shop TODAY who has been reviewing and testing products since 2022. She specializes in mature skin care and has covered a variety of topics, from the best toners for mature skin to red light therapy eye masks.
Emma Stessman is a writer for Shop TODAY. She joined the team in 2020 and has covered everything from social media beauty trends to celebrity shopping habits.
Wise also spoke with two board-certified dermatologists as well as a board-certified internal medicine physician, who provided multiple product recommendations for skin care products with bakuchiol. To round out the list, she also asked her fellow editors to share their favorite bakuchiol products as well.
Meet the experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on skin care products with bakuchiol. We also make sure that all expert guidance and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Jordan C. Carqueville is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of The Derm Institute of Chicago.
- Dr. Michelle Henry, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon. She is the CEO and founder of Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan, as well as a Clinical Instructor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College.
- Dr. Zion Ko Lamm is a board-certified internal medicine physician.
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