botanical
Meroterpene from Psoralea corylifolia seeds; functional analogue of retinol that upregulates retinol-responsive genes via different receptor pathways, with fewer irritation side-effects.
| Concern | Strength | Studies | What the research says |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark spots & hyperpigmentation | Relevant | 1 | Dhaliwal 2019 showed improvement in hyperpigmentation in 59% of bakuchiol group vs 44% of retinol group at week 12. Suggestive but not definitive given small n and absence of vehicle arm. |
| Fine lines & wrinkles | Relevant | 3 | The primary clinical evidence is Dhaliwal 2019, a 12-week double-blind trial of 44 participants comparing bakuchiol 0.5% cream twice daily to retinol 0.5% cream once daily. Both arms showed significant reductions in… |
No known conflicts — Bakuchiol isn’t flagged against any concern or skin condition.
Strength reflects the ingredient’s effect on each concern; study counts match research whose findings relate to that concern.
Bakuchiol is a botanical backed by a moderate body of supporting evidence (evidence tier 2 of 4). We track 4 studies for it, 3 reporting a positive effect. It is typically effective at 0.5–2% in a formulation.
British Journal of Dermatology · 2019 · rct · n=44
Double-blind RCT (n=44): bakuchiol 0.5% twice daily produced comparable reduction in wrinkle area and hyperpigmentation to retinol 0.5% once daily at 12 weeks; bakuchiol caused significantly less scaling (p=0.02) and stinging (p=0.01)
Journal of Biological Chemistry · 2024 · in vitro
In-vitro/mechanistic study: Direct molecular targets are PHB1 PHB2 VDAC1 VDAC2 not RAR.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science · 2022 · in vitro · n=30
In vitro and ex vivo, bakuchiol increased collagen I and VII and fibronectin, raised FGF7, showed strong antioxidant activity and lowered inflammatory markers (PGE2, MIF); a 4-week in vivo split-face study significantly increased skin fibronectin. Compared against retinol; supports anti-ageing activity through multiple complementary pathways.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science · 2014 · in vitro
Gene expression profiling showed bakuchiol modulates retinol-responsive genes (COL1A1, COL3A1, COL4A1) through non-RAR/RXR pathways; in vitro stimulation of type I collagen and inhibition of MMP-1 comparable to retinol; antioxidant activity confirmed by ORAC assay
In 197 products — most often serums (98), moisturizers (46), eye creams (27), from $3.00 to $383.54. Set up a profile to rank these for your skin. Click any product to learn more.
DIME
Moisturizer
$40.0050.3ml · $0.80/ml
Ideal for
Caution
May aggravate: Seborrheic Dermatitis (Glyceryl Stearate and Linoleic Acid)
DIME
Moisturizer
$40.0050.3ml · $0.80/ml
Ideal for
Caution
May aggravate: Seborrheic Dermatitis (Glyceryl Stearate and Linoleic Acid)
TBT Cream to Renew + Refresh is a retinoid treatment by DIME. Key ingredients include Water, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol.
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Set up your skin profileOgee
Retinol Alternative Bakuchiol 2% Elixir
Serum
$94.0014.8ml · $6.35/ml
Ideal for
Ogee
Retinol Alternative Bakuchiol 2% Elixir
Serum
$94.0014.8ml · $6.35/ml
Ideal for
Retinol Alternative Bakuchiol 2% Elixir is a retinoid treatment by Ogee. Key ingredients include Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Bakuchiol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract.
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Nip + Fab
NIP+FAB Retinol Fix Concentrate Extreme 10% 30ml
Serum
$38.0430ml · $1.27/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Caution
May aggravate: Melasma (Fragrance); Perioral Dermatitis (Fragrance)
Nip + Fab
NIP+FAB Retinol Fix Concentrate Extreme 10% 30ml
Serum
$38.0430ml · $1.27/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Caution
May aggravate: Melasma (Fragrance); Perioral Dermatitis (Fragrance)
NIP+FAB Retinol Fix Concentrate Extreme 10% 30ml is a retinoid treatment by Nip + Fab. Key ingredients include Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride.
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Nip + Fab
NIP+FAB Retinol Fix Overnight Treatment Cream 3% 50ml
Moisturizer
$38.0450ml · $0.76/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Caution
May aggravate: Seborrheic Dermatitis (Shea Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol and Glyceryl Stearate); Melasma (Fragrance); Perioral Dermatitis (Fragrance)
Nip + Fab
NIP+FAB Retinol Fix Overnight Treatment Cream 3% 50ml
Moisturizer
$38.0450ml · $0.76/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Caution
May aggravate: Seborrheic Dermatitis (Shea Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol and Glyceryl Stearate); Melasma (Fragrance); Perioral Dermatitis (Fragrance)
NIP+FAB Retinol Fix Overnight Treatment Cream 3% 50ml is a retinoid treatment by Nip + Fab. Key ingredients include Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride.
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Set up your skin profileDIME
TBT Serum with Mandelic Acid + Peptides
Serum
$38.0029.6ml · $1.28/ml
Ideal for
DIME
TBT Serum with Mandelic Acid + Peptides
Serum
$38.0029.6ml · $1.28/ml
Ideal for
TBT Serum with Mandelic Acid + Peptides is a retinoid treatment by DIME. Key ingredients include Water, Mandelic Acid, Propanediol.
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Set up your skin profileDIME
Cleanser
$28.00118.3ml · $0.24/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
DIME
Cleanser
$28.00118.3ml · $0.24/ml
Ideal for
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Creamy Foam Cleanser is a water cleanser by DIME. Key ingredients include Water, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol.
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Set up your skin profileOgee
Brightening Botanical Eye Balm
Eye Cream
$98.0014.8ml · $6.62/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Caution
May aggravate: Seborrheic Dermatitis (Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol and Palmitic Acid)
Ogee
Brightening Botanical Eye Balm
Eye Cream
$98.0014.8ml · $6.62/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Caution
May aggravate: Seborrheic Dermatitis (Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol and Palmitic Acid)
Brightening Botanical Eye Balm is a eye cream by Ogee. Key ingredients include Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate.
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Set up your skin profileNassifMD Skincare
Serum
$82.0059.1ml · $1.39/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Caution
May aggravate: Seborrheic Dermatitis (Ethylhexyl Palmitate); Melasma (Fragrance); Perioral Dermatitis (Fragrance)
NassifMD Skincare
Serum
$82.0059.1ml · $1.39/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Caution
May aggravate: Seborrheic Dermatitis (Ethylhexyl Palmitate); Melasma (Fragrance); Perioral Dermatitis (Fragrance)
Hydro-Screen Serum - 2 oz is a retinoid treatment by NassifMD Skincare. Key ingredients include Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Dimethicone.
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Set up your skin profilePhilosophy
Ultimate Miracle Worker Nourish & Rejuvenate Face & Neck Cream - 2.0 oz
Moisturizer
$89.0059.1ml · $1.50/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Caution
May aggravate: Seborrheic Dermatitis (Shea Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate and Sorbitan Oleate)
Philosophy
Ultimate Miracle Worker Nourish & Rejuvenate Face & Neck Cream - 2.0 oz
Moisturizer
$89.0059.1ml · $1.50/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Caution
May aggravate: Seborrheic Dermatitis (Shea Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate and Sorbitan Oleate)
Ultimate Miracle Worker Nourish & Rejuvenate Face & Neck Cream - 2.0 oz is a retinoid treatment by Philosophy. Key ingredients include Glycerin, Shea Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol.
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Set up your skin profileskinChemists
Green Caviar Day Moisturizer - Single Item (x 1)
Moisturizer
$17.5050ml · $0.35/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Caution
May aggravate: Perioral Dermatitis (Fragrance); Psoriasis (Fragrance); Melasma (Fragrance)
skinChemists
Green Caviar Day Moisturizer - Single Item (x 1)
Moisturizer
$17.5050ml · $0.35/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Caution
May aggravate: Perioral Dermatitis (Fragrance); Psoriasis (Fragrance); Melasma (Fragrance)
Green Caviar Day Moisturizer - Single Item (x 1) is a retinoid treatment by skinChemists. Key ingredients include Water, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate SE.
Complete your skin profile to see how well this product matches your skin
Set up your skin profileEducational information, not medical advice. Study findings summarise the cited research and may not reflect every formulation.