What is bakuchiol (& is it better than retinol)?

Irritation and redness seem par for the course with retinol. It’s the price we pay for plump, glowing skin that’s free from fine lines and acne. But what if there were another way to get that Instagram-filter skin … without the side effects?

Enter bakuchiol. Nicknamed “nature’s retinol” because of its striking similarities to the multitasking skincare ingredient we all know and love, this botanical wunderkind is stealing the spotlight as skincare’s new superhero.

We spoke with Anna Chacon M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, to learn more about its benefits and how it compares to retinol.

Bakuchiol (pronounced ba-KOO-heel) is an extract from the leaves and seeds of Psoralea corylifolia, commonly known as the babchi plant. Babchi has its roots in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicines, but the plant is also used in Western medicine to treat several skin issues like vitiligo, inflammatory diseases, eczema, and dermatitis.

While the babchi plant has a long history of medicinal applications, bakuchiol in skincare is relatively new.

“Bakuchiol is a powerful antioxidant that reduces skin discolorations and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and has skin-soothing benefits,” Dr. Chacon says.

This potent extract is experiencing a surge in popularity due to it’s uncanny similarity to skincare’s holy grail, retinol. A recent study found no difference between bakuchiol and retinol for treating wrinkles and hyperpigmentation—talk about a glowing review!

Before we dive into bakuchiol vs. retinol, let’s talk about what retinol is.

“Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A that’s typically found in animal products. It’s highly regarded as an anti-aging ingredient that helps with everything from exfoliating dead skin cells, evening out skin tone, fading age spots, and treating acne,” Dr. Chacon tells us.

“Bakuchiol isn’t derived from vitamin A, but it functions similarly to retinol in that it encourages cell turnover and boosts collagen production, which decreases the appearance of enlarged pores, helps smooth out wrinkles, and improves skin elasticity.”

So, what’s the difference between retinol and bakuchiol?

Unlike retinol, which often causes redness, flaking, and irritation, bakuchiol offers all the glory of retinoids without the gnarly side effects.

“Bakuchiol is great for people with sensitive skin or for people looking for a vegan alternative to retinol,” Dr. Chacon says.

“Although it's an active ingredient, it doesn't have the same sun exposure risk that retinol does and does not increase risk of sunburns. Rather than leaving the skin sensitive to the sun, clinical research shows that it actually provides a level of sun protection that isn’t found in topical retinoids.”

Dr. Chacon also notes that while many skincare brands would have you believe that retinol and bakuchiol are nearly identical, that isn’t exactly the case.

“Because it is so new to the skincare scene, there haven’t been enough studies done yet to determine the long-term side effects and efficacy of it.”

Bakuchiol is a gentler alternative to retinol and doesn’t have any known side effects, says Dr. Chacon.

“It’s always a good idea to patch test any new products you use, and talk to your dermatologist if you have concerns or plan to use bakuchiol while pregnant or breastfeeding.”