If Your Skin Can’t Handle Retinol, Try These Bakuchiol Serums

Best Bakuchiol Serums

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Most people land on bakuchiol when they’re looking for a retinol alternative. But bakuchiol is not just vegan retinol. It’s not an ingredient you just have to settle for as the “last resort” when your skin can’t handle retinol. It’s a potent skincare ingredient itself backed by a growing number of studies proving its benefits. Bakuchiol serums offer the same benefits as retinol, minus the unpleasant sensitivity and irritation.

In case you’ve missed our guide to bakuchiol, here’s the gist. Bakuchiol is derived from the babchi plant and is used in skincare for its anti-aging, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory benefits. According to a study published in the British Journal of Dermatology: “bakuchiol exhibits promise to serve as an alternative to retinol with fewer side effects” (1).

Even though bakuchiol has a different structure than retinol, the way it works makes it a substitute for retinol. Just like retinol, bakuchiol reduces wrinkles and lines, improves skin elasticity and firmness, and reduces hyperpigmentation and photodamage. But unlike retinol, bakuchiol doesn’t irritate.

The same study states that “bakuchiol is promising as a more tolerable alternative to retinol”. So if you have skin concerns related to aging like wrinkles, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation, bakuchiol skincare products, such as a bakuchiol serum, can be useful.

The good thing is bakuchiol is suitable for all skin types. People with sensitive skin and who can’t tolerate retinol can use bakuchiol serums. People with dry skin or rosacea can also use bakuchiol serums as anti-aging products without worrying about irritation. So you’re in the right place!

Below are some of the best bakuchiol serums to get started on nature’s retinol.

Best Bakuchiol Serums

1. Ole Henriksen Glow Cycle Retin-ALT Power Serum

Ole Henriksen Glow Cycle Retin-ALT Power Serum - Best Bakuchiol Serum

Pros
Multi-tasking serum
Gentle formula
Visibly hydrates

Cons
Contains fragrance

Suitable both for day and nighttime use, this bakuchiol serum has instant and long-term benefits. Anti-aging aside, it is a glow serum that brings a healthy radiance to the complexion instantly. If you’re like me and you need to see some instant benefits too, you’re going to love its purple, creamy texture.

Bakuchiol is paired with plant stem cells as well as glycolic and lactic acid, making it as hard working as a retinol serum. It packs all the right goodies to smooth out wrinkles, reduce pores, and even out the skin tone. Oily and acne-prone skin types will enjoy the formula too.

Key Ingredients: Bakuchiol, glycolic acid, lactic acid
Key Benefits: Wxfoliates, minimizes the appearance of fine lines, brightens
Skin Type: All skin types
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free

2. Herbivore Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Smoothing Serum

Herbivore Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Smoothing Serum

Pros
Gently exfoliates
No visible peeling
Rich in antioxidants

Cons
Results take time to show

This serum is formulated with the gentlest counterparts of mainstream anti-agers. It has bakuchiol as opposed to retinol and polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) as opposed to alpha-hydroxy acids. While bakuchiol reduces the look of signs of aging, gluconolactone, a polyhydroxy acid, exfoliates the skin.

As PHAs have antioxidant and hydrating properties, they don’t cause flakiness or irritation. Plus, the serum has aloe as well as anti-inflammatory turmeric extract. The natural bakuchiol serum gently works to refine the skin texture and soften the look of wrinkles.

There’s an update on this product I’d like to add here for full disclosure. The serum contains the plant extract from which bakuchiol is usually derived. Apparently, the bakuchiol content was very weak in the serum according to a test and that upset a lot of people. I still love the serum because of the PHA. But still, it’s just something to keep in mind.

Key Ingredients: Bakuchiol, gluconolactone, aloe
Key Benefits: Softens wrinkles, smooths skin texture
Skin Type: All skin types
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free

3. HydroPeptide Vital Eyes

HydroPeptide Vital Eyes

Pros
Instantly reduces puffiness
Feels like an eye roller with built-in serum

Cons
Expensive

When there’s a retinol alternative that reduces wrinkles, the under-eye area will want to have a taste. If puffy eyes, crow’s feet, and dark circles are among your concerns, try this potent bakuchiol eye serum. It targets fine lines around the eyes with bakuchiol and reduces dark circles with caffeine. The roller tip massages the eye area and reduces puffiness and the look of undereye bags.

Moreover, the eye serum contains Argireline, a neuropeptide that restricts muscle contraction and smooths out wrinkles. The eye serum offers amazing anti-aging eye care with its potent formulation of bakuchiol, peptides, stem cells, and antioxidants, making it the best bakuchiol eye serum for aging and sensitive skin.

Key Ingredients: Bakuchiol, Argireline, caffeine
Key Benefits: Smooths wrinkles around the eyes, de-puffs, brightens
Skin Type: All skin types
Size: 0.34 oz
Good To Know: Cruelty-free

4. Isdinceutics Melatonik Overnight Recovery Serum

Isdinceutics Melatonik Overnight Recovery Serum - Best Bakuchiol Serum For Dry Skin

Pros
Replenishing base
Non-sticky formula
Perfect for a relaxing nighttime routine

Cons
Contains fragrance
Expensive

Powered by antioxidants, this one is an impressive anti-aging night serum. Melatonin, not to be confused with the supplement, acts as an antioxidant when used topically. It triggers the skin into switching to a restorative mode where it can undo the daily damage.

Plus, it has vitamin C to protect the skin against further photodamage and limit the formation of dark spots. Together with bakuchiol, the serum rejuvenates the skin and speeds up collagen production without causing sensitivity, redness, or tightness. The result is firmer, smoother, and glowing skin in the morning.

Key Ingredients: Bakuchiol, melatonin, vitamin C
Key Benefits: Defends against free radicals, restores firmness, brightens
Skin Type: All skin types except for very sensitive skin
Size: 1 oz/30 ml

5. Beautycounter Countertime Tripeptide Radiance Serum

Beautycounter Countertime Tripeptide Radiance Serum - Best Bakuchiol Face Serum

Pros
Very hydrating
Leaves skin visibly radiant

Cons
May not work for very sensitive skin
Funny smell

Formulated with peptides to increase skin elasticity, the bakuchiol serum is also super hydrating. It has hyaluronic acid and squalane as well as amino acids that have moisturizing properties.

It also contains Alpine rose which has amazing antioxidant benefits to defend the skin against free radicals while also increasing the skin’s natural luminosity.

Key Ingredients: Bakuchiol, peptides, squalane
Key Benefits: Plumps skin, promotes collagen production
Skin Type: Normal, combination, oily
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Cruelty-free

6. Oskia Super 16 Advanced Nutri-Active Collagen Serum

Oskia Super 16 Advanced Nutri-Active Collagen Serum

Pros
Super rich blend of antioxidants
Fast absorbing texture

Cons
Pricey

First of all, 16 is the number of nutrient-rich skin foods packed into this potent serum. It offers vitamins C and E as the ultimate antioxidant combo. The bakuchiol serum is also an anti-pollution skincare must-have to neutralize free radicals. The formula also contains retinyl palmitate, a gentle form of retinol, to double the anti-aging effects.

Combined with bakuchiol, you can say goodbye to enlarged pores, wrinkles, and discolorations without worrying about scaling or irritation. The serum is fragrance-free and leaves the skin incredibly hydrated, nourished, and revitalized.

Key Ingredients: Bakuchiol, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E
Key Benefits: Refreshes skin, diminishes wrinkles, repairs free radical damage
Skin Type: All skin types
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Fragrance-free, cruelty-free

7. Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum

Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum - Best Retinol Bakuchiol Serum

Pros
Beginner-friendly anti-aging serum
Lightweight and creamy
Has encapsulated retinol

Cons
Requires time to show noticeable results

Speaking of retinol, you can consider a bakuchiol serum that contains retinol. Because bakuchiol actually stabilizes retinol and makes the product more tolerable for the skin too. And for that, this serum contains a very low concentration of retinol in encapsulated form.

So it’s already non-sensitizing. And it has bakuchiol for cumulative benefits. The serum has a very replenishing, emollient but non-greasy base and a blend of skin soothers to keep the skin happy too. And hey, it’s also budget-friendly!

Key Ingredients: Bakuchiol, encapsulated retinol, shea butter, aloe
Key Benefits: Encourages skin turnover without irritation
Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, sensitive
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free

8. Allies of Skin Mandelic Pigmentation Corrector Night Serum

Allies of Skin Mandelic Pigmentation Corrector Night Serum - Best Bakuchiol Serum For Oily Skin

Pros
Amazing multi-tasker
Contains several brighteners

Cons
Pricey

This one is a targeted serum formulated with several hardworking ingredients to tackle hyperpigmentation. It’s the one to go for if you’re struggling with stubborn acne scars, dark spots, and uneven skin tone. It’s a multi-acid complex containing mandelic, lactic, and salicylic acids with a total concentration of 11%.

They exfoliate the skin and remove the dead skin layer and the debris inside the pores. By doing that, the serum lifts away dark spots. It infuses the skin with hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5 (panthenol), and vitamin B3 (niacinamide) for long-lasting moisture. And it has resveratrol to brighten the skin while 1% bakuchiol, and peptides reverse signs of aging.

Key Ingredients: Bakuchiol, mandelic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, vitamin B5
Key Benefits: Minimizes hyperpigmentation, tightens skin, exfoliates
Skin Type: All skin types
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Cruelty-free, vegan

9. Acure Radically Rejuvenating Dual Phase Bakuchiol Serum

Acure Radically Rejuvenating Dual Phase Bakuchiol Serum

Pros
Rich in light oils
Amazing for dry skin
Affordable serum

Cons
May not work for oily skin

Made with a serious blend of antioxidants, the drugstore bakuchiol serum is surprisingly effective. While bakuchiol softens wrinkles, vitamins C and E guard the skin against free radicals. The serum also has antioxidant-rich eggplant and turmeric extracts.

It has a unique formulation that blends together an essence and serum when you shake it. It tackles signs of aging while infusing the skin with soothing, anti-inflammatory botanicals.

Key Ingredients: Bakuchiol, vitamins C and E, turmeric, aloe
Key Benefits: Reduces the look of lines, moisturizes, helps with dark spots
Skin Type: All skin types
Size: 0.67 oz/20 ml
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free

10. Bybi Bakuchiol Booster

Bybi Bakuchiol Booster - Best Affordable Bakuchiol Serum

Pros
Minimal, no-fuss formula
Moisturizing base

Cons
May feel heavy for oily skin

This one is an amazing option to get started on bakuchiol. The formula consists of squalane and bakuchiol, that’s it. Just add a few drops of the skin booster into your moisturizer or serum to increase its anti-aging benefits. It’s cruelty-free, all-natural, and also super affordable.

Key Ingredients: Bakuchiol, squalane
Key Benefits: Hydrates, boosts the effects of other skincare products
Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, sensitive
Size: 0.50 oz/15 ml
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free

This completes our round-up of the best bakuchiol serums. Remember that the most effective defense against wrinkles is sun protection. Even though bakuchiol doesn’t make the skin more prone to sunburn as retinol does, it’s better to be on the safe side and continue wearing it.

Read Next: Best Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) Serums

FAQ

References:

  1. Dhaliwal, S., Rybak, I., Ellis, S., Notay, M., Trivedi, M., Burney, W., Vaughn, A., Nguyen, M., Reiter, P., Bosanac, S., Yan, H., Foolad, N. and Sivamani, R. (2019), Prospective, randomized, double-blind assessment of topical bakuchiol and retinol for facial photoageing. Br J Dermatol, 180: 289-296. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.16918
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