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Bakuchiol vs Retinol: Which Should You Choose?

Retinol has decades of evidence for fine lines, texture and spots, but it often stings and peels at first and is not for pregnancy. Bakuchiol is a plant-derived ingredient; one main 12-week trial showed results close to 0.5% retinol with less irritation, but the evidence is much thinner. Start retinol slowly if your skin tolerates it; bakuchiol is an option if it irritates. If pregnant, talk to a doctor.

Written by the Oliareen editorial teamDermatologist review: pendingLast updated: 6 November 2026How we write

What each one is

  • **[Retinol](/ingredients/retinol):** a form of vitamin A; in skin it converts to retinoic acid, speeding cell turnover, supporting collagen, keeping pores clear and spreading out pigment.
  • **[Bakuchiol](/ingredients/bakuchiol):** from the seeds of the babchi plant; it is not structurally like retinol, but in the lab it switches on some of the same genes. It is stable in daylight.

The evidence side by side

  • Retinol: many controlled trials; for example, 0.4% retinol improved fine lines in aged skin over 24 weeks. Strong evidence.
  • Bakuchiol: mainly one double-blind trial (44 people, 12 weeks) in which 0.5% bakuchiol and 0.5% retinol gave similar results for lines and spots, with less peeling and stinging on bakuchiol. Moderate evidence.
  • Long-term or large studies of bakuchiol are still few.

How to start

  • Retinol: nights only, a pea-sized amount on dry skin; 2 nights a week for the first 2 weeks, then 3, then nightly if tolerated. Irritation usually peaks at weeks 2 to 4, then eases.
  • If it stings, apply moisturizer first and retinol on top, or use fewer nights.
  • Bakuchiol: usually fine morning and night; the trial used it twice daily.
  • With either, daily sunscreen, and no acids or scrubs on the same night during the first month.

What is known about pregnancy

The European Medicines Agency advises avoiding retinoids during pregnancy and when planning one, as a precaution. If you used some by mistake, there is no need to panic: tell your doctor. There are no pregnancy studies of bakuchiol, so it cannot be called “safe”, only “no known risk”. Talk to a doctor before starting it in pregnancy.

Which suits whom

  • You want the strongest evidence and your skin is fairly resilient: retinol, slowly.
  • Retinol keeps causing stinging or peeling: bakuchiol.
  • You want something for the morning too: bakuchiol is stable in daylight.
  • Acne is the main concern: retinoids have more evidence; ask a doctor about a prescription retinoid such as adapalene.

Common mistakes and limits

  • “Bakuchiol is natural retinol, exactly the same.” No: both the evidence and the mechanism differ.
  • Starting retinol, bakuchiol, acids and vitamin C all in the first week.
  • Higher % means faster results. The EU now caps retinol at 0.3% in face products, and 0.3% gave results close to 1% with less irritation.
  • The main bakuchiol trial is small; larger studies could change this comparison.

Questions people ask

Can bakuchiol and retinol be used together?

Some products combine them, and no harmful interaction is known. But there is no strong evidence of extra benefit either. Start with one.

How long until I see results?

In studies both took 12 weeks or more. Do not judge at 2 to 3 weeks.

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Sources

  1. Dhaliwal S et al. Prospective randomised double-blind comparison of bakuchiol and retinol. Br J Dermatol 2019
  2. Chaudhuri RK, Bojanowski K. Bakuchiol: a retinol-like functional compound revealed by gene expression profiling. Int J Cosmet Sci 2014
  3. Kafi R et al. Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol). Arch Dermatol 2007
  4. Retinol 0.3% vs 1% in photodamage — PMC9826105 (2022)
  5. EMA 2018 — Updated measures for pregnancy prevention during retinoid use
  6. EU Regulation 2024/996 (retinol and alpha-arbutin limits in face products)