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Bakuchiol
BakuchiolActive
Plant-derived retinol-alternative. Functionally similar at the gene-expression level, gentler on the skin.
What it does
Bakuchiol is extracted from Psoralea corylifolia. A 2018 split-face study found it comparable to 0.5% retinol for fine lines and pigmentation, with less scaling and stinging. Often used by people who want retinoid-style results without the irritation, or during pregnancy when retinoids are off the table — though formal pregnancy data is still limited.
The evidence, graded
emergingBakuchiol is non-acidic and pairs well with most actives — including retinol, AHAs, and vitamin C — without compounding irritation. It's commonly used as a tolerance booster alongside stronger actives.Dhaliwal 2019 · British Journal of Dermatology ↗
Graded per the methodology: strong · moderate · emerging · expert consensus. A weak source on a strong claim gets the weaker label.
Also known as
psoralea seed extract
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