Ingredient guide
Bakuchiol
INCI name · bakuchiol
In short
Bakuchiol is a plant-derived cosmetic ingredient studied for visible wrinkles and pigmentation. One small head-to-head found improvements with both bakuchiol and retinol, but unequal schedules and no plain-cream arm mean it did not establish equivalence.
Skin type
Dry · Sensitive · Combination · Oily
Best used
Anytime
What it is
One 44-person, 12-week head-to-head found that 0.5% bakuchiol twice daily and 0.5% retinol once daily both improved wrinkles and pigmentation, with no statistically significant difference between groups; retinol caused more scaling and stinging. There was no plain-cream arm, schedules differed, and the study did not establish equivalence or pregnancy safety.
Evidence receipt
ModerateBakuchiol · applied to skin
Based on 3 sources
Open the citable recordIn one 12-week trial of 44 people, 0.5% bakuchiol twice daily and 0.5% retinol once daily both improved wrinkles and pigmentation, with no statistically significant difference between groups; retinol caused more scaling and stinging.
Studied as Bakuchiol: 0.5% bakuchiol cream twice daily, 0.5% retinol cream once daily, bakuchiol alone or in combination formulas, genistein, bakuchiol, vitamins and ceramides combination product.
This was one small head-to-head study with no plain-cream arm and different dosing schedules, not a non-inferiority or equivalence trial. Most other human studies in a systematic review were uncontrolled or tested combination formulas, and none of these sources establishes pregnancy safety.
See 3 sources
Randomized double-blind head-to-head study in 44 people over 12 weeks: both groups improved from baseline on wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation, with no statistically significant difference between groups; retinol users reported more scaling and stinging. There was no vehicle arm and the schedules differed.
wrinkle surface area, hyperpigmentation, scaling, stinging · 0.5% bakuchiol cream twice daily, 0.5% retinol cream once daily
Br J Dermatol, 2019Systematic review of 29 included reports found 16 preclinical studies and seven clinical studies; the evidence base was predominantly preclinical and the authors called for additional rigorous controlled human trials.
photoageing, acne, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, adverse events · bakuchiol alone or in combination formulas
J Cosmet Dermatol, 2022Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial in 80 men over 12 weeks: the combination modestly improved lightness, colour evenness, spots and some roughness measures, but not melanin, erythema, acne or elasticity. Bakuchiol was not tested alone.
skin lightness, colour evenness, spots, roughness, melanin, erythema, acne, elasticity · genistein, bakuchiol, vitamins and ceramides combination product
Skin Res Technol, 2026
Affiliation note. Publication links report the study authors and their affiliations. MIRU does not infer independence from an affiliation alone.
When to use it
Morning or evening. The reviewed head-to-head applied it twice daily, so use was not limited to evenings; follow the product directions.
Often used nightly once skin is comfortable with it.
On the label
0.5% in the reviewed head-to-head
Higher label percentages are not proven better by that trial, and formulation still matters.
Pairs well with
Give these space
The same rules the product checker and routine builder run. Friendly scheduling, not prohibitions.
Where it sits
Serums sit after toner and before moisturiser. Thinnest to thickest, water before oil.
- Cleanse
- Tone
- Bakuchiol
- Moisturise
- SPF
Also found as
Related
Compare products
Browse product comparisonsWhere to find it
Examples, not a ranking. A product lookup can confirm identity and background; a verdict still needs the full ingredient list.
The Inkey List Bakuchiol Moisturizer
Gentler retinoid-alternative moisturizer for users who want a softer first step.
Bakuchiol serum. One active at a time reads more clearly than three stacked.
Product discovery is not efficacy proof. These examples are not ranked by commission.
Common questions
What does bakuchiol do for skin?
In one 44-person trial, fine-line and pigmentation measures improved from baseline with both bakuchiol and retinol. The trial did not show that the ingredients are equivalent, and broader human evidence remains limited.
Is bakuchiol suitable for sensitive skin?
The 44-person head-to-head reported less scaling and stinging with bakuchiol than retinol, but it did not study pregnancy. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your doctor, midwife or pharmacist before choosing it.
When is bakuchiol used in a routine?
The reviewed head-to-head applied bakuchiol twice daily. That schedule does not prove a universal day-or-night rule, so follow the product directions and wear sunscreen during the day.
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Personal guidance, not medical advice.