Skin Actives

Bakuchiol

Also known as: Psoralea corylifolia extract, Babchi, Phyto-retinol

The plant-based retinol alternative — wrinkle results comparable to retinol in a head-to-head trial, with far less irritation.

By IngredientWiki Editorial Team
Fact-checked by IngredientWiki Editorial Team
Updated 2026-09-26
2 min read

In short

Bakuchiol is a compound extracted from the seeds and leaves of the babchi plant (Psoralea corylifolia), used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries and reborn as skincare's gentlest retinol alternative. A 2019 randomized trial compared 0.5% bakuchiol twice daily against 0.5% retinol nightly: wrinkle and hyperpigmentation improvements were statistically comparable, but the bakuchiol group reported dramatically less stinging and scaling. It works through different receptors but converges on the same collagen-stimulating, skin-turnover pathways — which is why it is marketed as pregnancy-friendlier than retinoids.

Extracted from babchi (Psoralea corylifolia) seeds and leaves
Head-to-head trial: comparable to 0.5% retinol for wrinkles
Far less irritation, scaling, and stinging than retinol
Safe to use twice daily; pairs well with vitamin C and peptides

What is Bakuchiol?

Bakuchiol's rise was powered by a rare thing in skincare: a direct comparison with the gold standard. When the 2019 British Journal of Dermatology trial put bakuchiol against retinol head-to-head for 12 weeks, both smoothed wrinkles and faded pigmentation to a similar degree — and the bakuchiol arm escaped the flaking, redness, and sun-sensitivity that make retinol a commitment. That profile explains the ingredient's explosion into serums and moisturizers marketed to sensitive skin and, with appropriate caution, pregnancy.

Where it comes from

Natural sources

Meroterpene phenol from Psoralea corylifolia (babchi) seeds and leaves
Used in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for skin conditions
Extracted and purified for cosmetic use

How it's made

Commercially available as purified bakuchiol or standardized babchi extracts.

What it does in products

Benefits

Wrinkles and photoaging

strong evidence

A 12-week randomized trial found 0.5% bakuchiol twice daily produced wrinkle improvements statistically comparable to 0.5% retinol nightly, with better tolerability.

Hyperpigmentation

moderate evidence

The same trial reported significant lightening of hyperpigmentation; supporting lab work shows melanin-inhibiting effects.

Acne

emerging evidence

Early studies suggest antibacterial and anti-inflammatory action against acne, but human trials are small; promising as an adjunct, not a replacement for proven actives.

Side effects & safety

Mild irritation or sensitivity (uncommon)Much rarer than with retinol, but possible at high concentrations or on reactive skin.

Initial breakouts during skin-turnover adjustment (uncommon)As with any turnover-accelerating active; usually transient.

Safety considerations

Bakuchiol is widely marketed as pregnancy-safe, but formal safety studies in pregnancy are lacking. Many dermatologists consider topical use reasonable; discuss with your provider rather than assuming.
Layers comfortably with vitamin C, niacinamide, peptides, and AHAs — irritation risk is low.
Not for: Known allergy to bakuchiol or babchi plant

How it's used

In skincare

Typical products: 0.5–1% bakuchiol. Use twice daily after cleansing and before moisturizer. Unlike retinol, it does not degrade quickly in daylight and does not mandate nighttime-only use — though daily sunscreen remains essential.

Regulatory status

Approved cosmetic ingredient; not an approved drug for wrinkles or acne in the US.
INCI name on cosmetic labels: Bakuchiol.
Reviewed as safe in cosmetics at concentrations up to 1% by the CIR Expert Panel.

Bakuchiol vs retinol: what the trial actually showed

The landmark 2019 study (Dhaliwal et al., British Journal of Dermatology) randomized 44 adults to 0.5% bakuchiol twice daily or 0.5% retinol once nightly for 12 weeks. Wrinkle severity, pigmentation, and redness all improved similarly between groups — the differences were not statistically significant — while the retinol group reported significantly more stinging and scaling. The honest caveat: retinol's longer track record and deeper evidence base still make it the default recommendation for established anti-aging, and many formulas now combine both. Bakuchiol earns its place for anyone who cannot tolerate retinol or wants a gentler everyday active.

Frequently asked questions

Is bakuchiol as effective as retinol?

In the one well-designed head-to-head trial, 0.5% bakuchiol matched 0.5% retinol for wrinkles and pigmentation over 12 weeks with less irritation. Retinol still has decades more overall evidence, but bakuchiol is a credible alternative rather than a marketing gimmick.

Can I use bakuchiol while pregnant?

It is commonly recommended as a retinoid alternative in pregnancy, but dedicated pregnancy safety studies are lacking. Topical retinoids are avoided in pregnancy out of caution; apply the same consultation-first approach to bakuchiol.

Can I layer bakuchiol with vitamin C?

Yes — unlike retinol, bakuchiol is stable in light and pairs well with vitamin C, niacinamide, peptides, and AHAs in the same routine. If you are new to actives, introduce one product at a time.

The bottom line

Bakuchiol is the rare 'gentle' ingredient with a real head-to-head trial behind it: comparable anti-aging results to retinol with a fraction of the irritation. It is the right choice for retinol-intolerant skin, and a reasonable one for anyone seeking a low-drama daily anti-aging active.

References

Bakuchiol vs retinol randomized trial (Dhaliwal et al., 2019). British Journal of Dermatology via PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=bakuchiol+retinol+randomized+wrinkles
Bakuchiol and skin aging — literature search. PubMed (National Library of Medicine). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=bakuchiol+skin+aging
Bakuchiol compound summary. PubChem (National Library of Medicine). https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/5468522
Bakuchiol for acne — literature search. PubMed (National Library of Medicine). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=bakuchiol+acne