Bakuchiol

What is bakuchiol?

Bakuchiol is an active ingredient from the seeds of the babchi plant (Psoralea corylifolia), long used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. Chemically, bakuchiol has nothing to do with vitamin A – but it triggers similar effects in the skin to retinol. That’s why it is often called a plant-based retinol alternative.

How does bakuchiol work on the skin?

• Smoothing: bakuchiol supports collagen production and makes fine lines look less visible.
• More even tone: it can help fade dark spots.
• Gentle: unlike retinol, bakuchiol rarely causes redness, flaking or stinging.
• Antioxidant: it also helps protect the skin from free radicals.

Which skin types is bakuchiol suitable for?

• sensitive skin that doesn’t tolerate retinol
• retinoid beginners who want a gentle start
• mature skin with first lines – see anti-ageing skincare

Retinoids are often avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and many people switch to bakuchiol instead. There are no studies on this yet, though – it’s best to discuss it with your doctor.

How to use bakuchiol

1. Apply a bakuchiol serum or cream after cleansing and toner.
2. Bakuchiol doesn’t make the skin sensitive to light and can be used morning and evening.
3. Still wear sunscreen during the day.

What can you combine bakuchiol with?

• Retinol – bakuchiol can improve tolerance; many Korean formulas combine both
• Peptides for more firmness
• Niacinamide for refined-looking skin
• Ceramides for the skin barrier

Bakuchiol in Korean skincare

Korean brands often use bakuchiol in eye creams and serums. Examples from our range: the Bakuchiol Plumping Serum by EQQUALBERRY, the Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream by Haruharu Wonder, the Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Bakuchiol Eye Cream by SKIN1004 and the Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum by Some By Mi with retinol, retinal and bakuchiol. You’ll find more products in our bakuchiol skincare collection.

What does the research say?

In a randomised double-blind study with 44 people, participants used either 0.5% bakuchiol twice a day or 0.5% retinol once a day for 12 weeks. Both significantly reduced wrinkles and pigmentation with no statistical difference – but flaking and stinging were more common in the retinol group (Dhaliwal et al., British Journal of Dermatology, 2019).