When it comes to fighting the visible of age, the gold standard ingredient that tops the list, according to dermatologists, is unarguably retinol.
But for individuals who prefer a natural retinol, the best alternative is bakuchiol.
Here we review the best bakuchiol serums.
Best Bakuchiol Serums
BEST OVERALL
Best Bakuchiol Serum: Carrot & Stick The Renewal Face Oil
This night anti-aging face oil helps reverse the visible signs of aging and damage.
Deploying a plant based retinol alternative featuring bakuchiol, this serum provides retinol-like effects without irritation. Perfect for daily use.
Best Clean Retinol: Carrot & Stick The Retinol+ Night Cream
This overnight formula features an innovative liposome based encapsulated retinol that delivers a higher concentration of retinol to your skin without the irritation associated with conventional retinol.
FULL LIST
KORA Organics Plant Stem Cell Retinol Alternative Firming Serum
Herbivore Bakuchiol
Mekdik8 Bakuchiol Peptides
Dr Jart Prejuvenation
Beekman 1802 Dream Booster
Dime Beauty TBT Serum
Isdin Isdinceutics Melatonik Serum
The Bottom Line
What’s the best bakuchiol serum? Overall, we suggest Carrot & Stick The Renewal Face Oil for daily use at night.
We also recommend Carrot & Stick The Retinol+ Night Cream. While this is retinol based, it contains a next generation retinol which results in less irritation.
FAQs
Bakuchiol is the latest skincare active ingredient to make a splash. Bakuchiol is touted as a gentle, vegan alternative to retinol products, helping to reduce the signs of aging and help support the treatment of acne and congested skin.
Bakuchiol is derived from the seeds and leaves of the Psoralea corylifolia plant, native to Eastern Asia. It actually has been used in ayurvedic practices or traditional indian medicine for quite some time.
The main benefit of bakuchiol that is often advertised is that it is less irritating and sensitizing than traditional retinol products. However, despite the implication that bakuchiol is a natural identical to retinol, having a similar structure and therefore function, bakuchiol is actually a very different molecule. While some of the benefits of bakuchiol match up with retinol, on the molecular level they are very different.
As a naturally-occuring ingredient and a relatively new kid on the block, there isn’t a wealth of peer reviewed research that has been conducted on bakuchiol. However, there have been a few studies that have indicated the potential benefits of the ingredient.
Anti-aging
Similar to retinol, bakuchiol may help to reduce some of the visible signs of aging such as pigmentation, wrinkles and fine lines.
One of the studies looked at the benefits to collagen production that bakuchiol may provide. The study suggested that bakuchiol has a similar effect on collagen production as retinol. However the study was conducted on synthetic skin.
A follow up study was also conducted on living skin or people. This study which used bakuchiol 0.5% twice a day saw improvements in the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, dryness and elasticity.
Similar results were seen in a 2018 study that determined that 0.5% bakuchiol was actually just as effective when used once a day, compared to twice a day. Who doesn’t like a simplified skincare routine.
The benefits of retinol to the skin, helping with acne, aging and hyperpigmentation is well known and the research seems to suggest that bakuchiol may stack up against retinol. However there is limited research into how it compares with other retinoids such as tretinoin. Tretinoin is 20 times more potent than
.
There has been limited research into the safety of bakuchiol however, it is considered safe in its current uses and concentrations. Currently the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has not evaluated bakuchiol for its safety and efficacy.
Keep in mind that more research is needed into this new and promising ingredient to fully understand its benefits and safety profile.
