Bakuchiol is a plant-derived compound extracted from the Psoralea corylifolia plant that works similarly to retinol in reducing signs of aging. It helps improve wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and sun damage without the irritation commonly associated with retinoids.
Benefits
Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
Improves hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone
Helps address photoaging (sun damage)
Generally well-tolerated with fewer side effects than retinol
May have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties
Potential concerns
Limited long-term safety data compared to retinol
May cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals at higher concentrations
Less extensively studied than established retinoids
Science: Clinical studies show bakuchiol performs comparably to retinol for reducing wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, with significantly better tolerability and fewer reports of scaling and stinging. However, the ingredient has substantially fewer peer-reviewed clinical trials than retinol, and long-term safety data remains limited.
