This Ingredient May Be the Natural Anti-Aging Alternative to Retinol

If you're still having a hard time pronouncing "bakuchiol," let alone spelling it from memory, there's still a reason to get excited every time you see it pop up on a skincare product's ingredient list (which is quite a lot these days). For as much as a tongue-twister it is, bakuchiol reaps some seriously intriguing anti-aging benefits for sensitive skin.

Touted as nature's retinol, the ingredient — which is found in the seeds and leaves of the Asian plant Psoralea corylifolia — acts nearly identical to the vitamin A derivative, but comes without the common irritating and drying side effects.

What Are the Skincare Benefits of Bakuchiol?

Like retinol, bakuchiol offers a handful of skincare benefits, including soothing redness and irritation, and minimizing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven texture.

And there's date to back up the ingredient's anti-aging benefits. A 2014 study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science found that applying bakuchiol twice a day for 12 weeks resulted in significant improvement in lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, elasticity, and firmness.

How Is Bakuchiol Different from Retinol?

"Bakuchiol does not chemically resemble retinol and retinoids, but it is shown through lab studies, genetic expression, and clinical application to the skin to induce many of the same anti-aging changes as the vitamin A derivatives we as dermatologists have loved for decades," explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Melanie Palm.

This means bakuchiol has been shown to improve the appearance of skin texture, photo-aging, and wrinkles, as well as rejuvenate the expression of collagen in the skin. And as we mentioned before, Dr. Palm says that it also tends to create less dryness, redness, and irritation compared to retinol, making it ideal even for those with dry or rosacea-prone skin.

Another major difference to retinol? It's stable to the effect of light and oxidative stress — because of this, it might actually be able to stabilize retinol so that both ingredients can work together in synergy for better results. But even though it causes less irritation and doesn't break down under light, Dr. Palm still suggests using a serum or cream with bakuchiol at night and only once in 24 hours.

"As nighttime skincare can exploit the increased skin absorption, temperature, circulation, and reparative mechanisms, evening application of bakuchiol is ideal to help with skin rejuvenation," she explains.

There are many popular skincare products that contain the retinol alternative, but bakuchiol is most commonly found in serums. Let us take you through our faves.

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The Best Bakuchiol Serums to Add to Your Skincare Routine