Bakuchiol Serum: The Plant-Based Retinol
All the benefits of retinol, none of the irritation
Quick Take
Bakuchiol is a plant-derived ingredient that delivers retinol-like results — reduced fine lines, improved texture, and brighter skin — without the redness, peeling, or sensitivity that retinol is notorious for.
Retinol has long been the gold standard in anti-aging skincare. But it comes with a laundry list of side effects: dryness, peeling, redness, and extreme sun sensitivity. Enter bakuchiol — a plant extract from the Psoralea corylifolia plant that's been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries.
Clinical studies have shown that bakuchiol delivers comparable results to retinol for reducing fine lines, improving skin firmness, and evening out skin tone. The key difference? It does all of this without the irritation.
We tested four popular bakuchiol serums over eight weeks. Here are our top picks.
Herbivore Botanicals Bakuchiol Serum
Editor's PickCult favourite — lightweight, fast-absorbing. Bakuchiol plus plant-derived squalane and vitamin E. Visible fine line improvement within 4 weeks. Vegan, cruelty-free.
Herbivore's serum is the cult favourite for a reason. Lightweight, fast-absorbing, and packed with bakuchiol plus a botanical blend of plant-derived squalane and vitamin E. Visible improvement in fine lines within 4 weeks. The dropper bottle dispenses the perfect amount. Vegan, cruelty-free.
The INKEY List Bakuchiol Moisturizer
Budget PickBest budget option. Moisturizer + bakuchiol in one — a true two-in-one. Noticeable texture and brightness improvement after 6 weeks. No-frills packaging keeps costs down.
Best budget option by far. The INKEY List delivers a solid bakuchiol product at a fraction of the price. It's a moisturizer rather than a serum, so it's a two-in-one. Noticeable improvement in skin texture and brightness after 6 weeks. The no-frills packaging keeps costs down.
TOSWOONG Bakuchiol Serum 5000ppm
Korean skincare gem with 5,000ppm bakuchiol. Silky texture, layers beautifully. Great for pore minimising and 'glass skin'. 4K+ bought last month on Amazon.
This Korean skincare gem contains 5,000ppm bakuchiol. The texture is silky and it layers beautifully under other products. Great for pore minimising and achieving that 'glass skin' look. K-beauty formulation means it's gentle but effective. 4K+ bought last month on Amazon.
Biossance Squalane + Phyto-Retinol Serum
Premium PickBakuchiol combined with signature squalane for deep hydration. Best for dry or mature skin. Firmer, more radiant skin within 6 weeks.
The premium pick. Biossance combines bakuchiol with their signature squalane for a luxurious, deeply hydrating serum. Best for dry or mature skin types. The results are impressive — firmer, more radiant skin within 6 weeks. Expensive but you get what you pay for.
The Verdict
Bakuchiol is the real deal. If retinol has been too harsh for your skin, or you're pregnant and looking for a safe alternative, any of these four products will deliver genuine results. Our top pick is Herbivore for the best balance of efficacy and experience.
👍 What We Love
- ✓Gentle enough for sensitive skin
- ✓No sun sensitivity (unlike retinol)
- ✓Safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding
- ✓Visible results in 4-8 weeks
- ✓Plant-based and vegan-friendly
- ✓Works well layered with other actives
👎 Worth Noting
- ✗Results take longer than prescription retinol
- ✗Less clinical research than retinol (but growing)
- ✗Quality varies widely between brands
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