Everything You Need to Know About Bakuchiol
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It’s never a good idea to label something nature’s answer to some other thing. Like wellness influencers calling berries “nature’s candy.” Berries are literally among the top ten foods you can put in your mouth, but saying they’re nature’s candy is just setting everyone up for disappointment.
I couldn’t help but bring that kind of negative thinking to the table when I cracked open my first bottle of bakuchiol, a.k.a. #naturesretinol. But as I sit here a month later with my skin glowing, I’m mildly irked to admit that my annoyance at this dorky hashtag was unfounded.
FAQs
The Overall Best Bakuchiol Product
Herbivore Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Serum
Pros: Lightweight and fast-absorbing; layers well with most moisturizers; visibly helps reduce signs of aging
Cons: Some reviewers say the texture is a bit too sticky
Safe and nontoxic yet highly effective, this serum has a combination of exfoliating polyhydroxy acids and natural botanicals for your smoothest skin ever. The jellylike formula is cooling, refreshing, gentle, and hydrating … what’s not to love?
The Best Bakuchiol Serum
Olehenriksen Glow Cycle Retin-ALT Power Serum
Pros: Ideal for all skin types; clean formula that smells heavenly
Cons: Tends to pill on the skin
With AHAs thrown into the mix, this serum is an effective resurfacing and brightening glow-maker.
The Best Bakuchiol Overnight Mask
Cocokind Resurfacing Sleep Mask
Pros: Hydrating; pillowy texture that feels so luxurious; helps soothe acne-prone and sensitive skin
Cons: Some reviewers say the jar applicator is messy and inconvenient
Along with bakuchiol, this overnight mask features ingredients to lock in moisture and hydration, like calming beta-glucan (derived from oats) and skin-barrier supporting squalane. With a texture that falls somewhere between a moisturizer and a serum, reviewers love that this lightweight mask softens skin overnight.
The Bakuchiol Moisturizer That Melts Into Your Skin
Alpyn Beauty PlantGenius Melt Moisturizer with Bakuchiol
Pros: Fast-absorbing and weightless formula; comes in recyclable packaging; works well under makeup
Cons: The smell is a bit off-putting
Ceramides, squalane, vitamin C and loads of hydrating oils go into this indulgent bakuchiol-enriched moisturizer.
The Best Bakuchiol for All Skin Types
ISDINCEUTICS MELATONIK 3-in-1 Night Serum
Pros: Lightweight; helps restore skin elasticity
Cons: Expensive
Dr. Dendy Engelman recommends this serum as perfect for all skin types. It has bakuchiol, melatonin, and Vitamin C, which acts like a triple-threat to oxidative stress, free radical damage, and collagen degradation.
The Best Bakuchiol Serum for Hyperpigmentation
Herbivore Moon Fruit 1% Bakuchiol + Peptides Retinol Alternative Serum
Pros: Layers well with makeup; 100 percent plant-based formula; comes in recyclable packaging
Cons: Might be too harsh for sensitive skin
Your fine lines and dry skin are no match for this serum, which is packed with plant peptides and Schisandra-berry extract, which helps tighten your skin. Reviewers say it targets hyperpigmentation, and they noticed a more even skin tone in about two weeks.
The Best Affordable Bakuchiol Moisturizer
The Inkey List Bakuchiol
Pros: Gentle and lightweight; good for acne-prone skin because it won’t clog pores; affordable
Cons: Some reviewers say it doesn’t contain very much product
Each product from this cult-favorite British beauty brand contains one star ingredient, and this lightweight moisturizer celebrates — you guessed it — bakuchiol.
The Best Brightening Bakuchiol Serum
Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides
Pros: Many reviewers saw results in as little as two weeks; pairs well with other skin-care products; soothes sensitive skin and helps reduce redness
Cons: The formula is pretty oily
This award-winning daily serum is gentle enough to use both day and night. Along with 1.25 percent pure bakuchiol, the formula is infused with brightening peptides and healing cica extract. It targets fine lines and wrinkles while also helping to moisturize, soften, and brighten the skin.
The Best Bakuchiol Face Oil
OMOROVICZA Miracle Facial Oil
Pros: It can be mixed in with your moisturizer for an easy daytime application or lathered on at night for a more luxurious treatment
Cons: Expensive
You get the best of both worlds with this “miracle” product: It has the restorative properties of a rich cream but it applies like a lightweight serum. The vegan and cruelty-free formula instantly hydrates and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time.
The Best Firming Bakuchiol Serum
Tula Wrinkle Treatment Drops Retinol Alternative Serum
Pros: Ideal for mature skin; dropper applicator makes it easy to apply
Cons: Might be too greasy for people with oily skin
Made with mature skin in mind, this dry oil serum puts the focus on firming skin. Along with the skin-firming (and balancing) pre- and probiotics, you’ll find stevia and alfalfa sprouts that give the bakuchiol a boost. While this is a dry oil, this really is a “before your moisturizer” serum-slash-oil.
The Best Bakuchiol-and-Retinol Mix
Paula’s Choice 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment Serum
Pros: More potent than some of the other formulas on this list; oil-free; helps improve skin texture
Cons: Might be too harsh for people with sensitive skin
If you’re new to the retinol game but want to dip your toes in, you might want to try this serum. It has less than one percent of retinol, which will get your skin acclimated to the ingredient without irritation, and contains 2 percent bakuchiol, which simply enhances the effects of the retinol. Reviewers said their skin looked more glowing and felt smoother after using it and noted that it’s a great stepping stone before working your way up to more potent formulas.
The Best Bakuchiol Eye Cream
Burt’s Bees Renewal Smoothing Eye Cream
Pros: Affordable; can be used day and night
Cons: It can feel sticky if you apply too much
The skin under your eyes is one of the most delicate parts of your whole body, so it’s important to seek out products specifically formulated for this area. This cream is gentle enough for your under eyes while still delivering on firmness and hydration with ingredients such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Reviewers note that it visibly lightens dark circles and reduces puffiness too.
The Best Bakuchiol Face Pads
Indeed Labs Bakuchiol Reface Pads
Pros: Easy to apply; fragrance-free; ideal for sensitive and acne-prone skin
Cons: Some reviewers say the pads are overly saturated with product
Quickly swipe these face pads across your skin after cleansing for an easy-to-use application. They are unscented for those who are more sensitive to fragrance and work well on acne-prone skin, according to reviewers. In addition to the bakuchiol, it’s also formulated with niacinamide, which helps stimulate cell production and protect your skin barrier.
The Best Bakuchiol Acne Treatment
Kinship Pimple Potion
Pros: It can be double as a spot treatment and all-over moisturizer, benzoyl peroxide free, and fully vegan
Cons: Due to the small size, you will go through one tube very fast
Dealing with a pesky pimple? This tube might be small, but it packs a mighty punch when it comes to targeting acne flare-ups. Put it right on top of the spot or apply it as a moisturizer to treat your whole face. Harnessing the power of probiotics, retinal, salicylic acid, and bakuchiol, this formula works overtime to keep acne and blemishes at bay. It also brightens and smooths skin overtime. Plus, it’s free of benzoyl peroxide so it suits those with sensitive skin.
The Best Bakuchiol Serum for Oily Skin
Typology L62 Blemish Serum with 1% Bakuchiol
Pros: 100% pure bakuchiol, beats blemishes even on the most sensitive skin
Cons: Reviewers have mentioned the oily texture can feel greasy
If your skin leans toward the oilier side of the spectrum, this gentle yet effective formula was made to fight off all of your blemishes. The nourishing formula is packed with 100 percent pure bakuchiol, derived from babchi seeds, so it will not cause any further irritation. For optimal absorption and results, it is best to apply this before bed.
The Best Bakuchiol and Vitamin E Blend
Sephora Collection Targeted Anti-Aging Bakuchiol Serum
Pros: great price point and visibly reduces signs of aging after consistent use
Cons: The formula is quite potent, and reviewers have said it is too strong for sensitive skin
This budget-friendly serum covers all the bases: fades fine lines and wrinkles for firmer and smoother skin. But the bonus is it’s also blended with a healthy dose of vitamin E, which is full of good-for-you antioxidants that act as an anti-inflammatory agent for the skin.