Bakuchiol
Bakuchiol is a plant-derived compound that produces retinoid-like results — smoother texture, less oil, fading pigmentation — through a different mechanism entirely, which is why it doesn't carry a retinoid's irritation risk or need the same slow ramp-up. It's a standard recommendation for pregnancy or for skin that can't tolerate an actual retinoid.
How it works
A meroterpene phenol isolated from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia that functions as a botanical analogue to topical retinoids. It upregulates dermal extracellular matrix synthesis and exerts broad-spectrum antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity against Cutibacterium acnes, addressing congestion and hyperpigmentation without retinoid-associated barrier disruption.
In practice, it's most often reached for by people who specifically can't use a retinoid — during pregnancy, or after a retinoid has repeatedly caused irritation.
How to introduce it
Wait about 5 minutes before the next step. Judging Bakuchiol before week 10 means judging it before it's had time to actually work — most of what reads as "this isn't doing anything" in the first couple of weeks is just too early to tell.
- Can be used AM or PM, unlike true retinoids.
- Still avoid combining with strong acids in the same session until tolerance is established.
Who should be careful
Bakuchiol's safety rating is the lowest tier tracked here — well tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive skin, without a slow introduction.
Questions people ask
A plant-based retinol alternative with similar results and none of the irritation or ramp-up rules — usable in pregnancy, unlike an actual retinoid.
Most people see a fair result around 10 weeks of consistent use — judging earlier usually means judging too soon.
Either — Bakuchiol works in both a morning and an evening routine.