Retinol is heralded as the way to combat wrinkles and fine lines. But if your skin is sensitive, it’ll treat them while freaking out your complexion. Not exactly ideal. The solution? Skip retinol products and pick up ones boasting bakuchiol instead.
The plant-based ingredient is retinol’s less irritating cousin. You get the same collagen-promoting, fine line-reducing benefits without any redness or dryness. In addition to its anti-aging prowess, the skin care savior contains antioxidants. It even has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. (Which is why you’ll find it in acne treatments.)
Bakuchiol keeps adding to its skin care résumé. Now you can find it in moisturizers, face oils, eye creams, cleansers and more. But not all bakuchiol skin care products are worth your money.
So we went ahead and rounded up the best of the bunch in the slideshow above.
Bakuchiol
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Herbivore Botanicals
Bakuchiol Serum, $54 at Herbivore Botanicals
Suitable for all skin types, this much-loved serum is finally back in stock. Its bouncy, jelly-textured, water-based formula refines the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The natural purple hue comes from a blend of botanicals that includes turmeric, basil and eggplant extracts.
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Dr. Zenovia
Bakuchiol Hydrating Cleanser, $42 at Dr. Zenovia
Got sensitive skin? Meet your complexion’s new BFF. This pH-balanced, soap-free cleanser removes everything from makeup to excess oil to environmental pollutants while moisturizing leading to brighter and more nourished skin.
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OLEHENRIKSEN
Goodnight Glow Retin-ALT Sleeping Crème, $55 at Sephora
Sleep your way to better skin. It’s easy with this cream that features a powerful concentration of AHAs and bakuchiol to fight all the signs of aging. It also exfoliates so you’ll wake up to glowing results.
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Kinship
Pimple Potion Retinal + Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment, $19 at Ulta Beauty
Stop breakouts before they start and clear up the ones you’ve already got with this pick. It relies on bakuchiol to brighten and clear complexions. Throw in retinal to improve skin’s texture plus salicylic acid to banish blackheads and prevent new breakouts and you’ve got one super effective acne treatment.
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Omorovicza
Miracle Facial Oil, $125 at Nordstrom
The miracle in this oil comes courtesy of bakuchiol. The gentle alternative resurfaces and hydrates lines and wrinkles. You can use it day or night and it won’t slow you down since it absorbs instantly. Just mix one to two drops into your morning moisturizer, then massage three to four drops on your face and neck before applying your go-to night cream.
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PCA SKIN
C&E Hand Renewal, $80 at SkinStore
The skin on your hands needs a little TLC, too. That’s where this antioxidant-rich corrective comes in. By combining a vitamin C serum and bakuchiol, it stimulates collagen deposition, smooths fine lines and wrinkles and reduces the appearance of photodamage all without irritation. There are even emollients to keep hands moisturized.
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Alpyn Beauty
PlantGenius Melt Moisturizer, $60 at Alpyn Beauty
You’ll love the whipped texture of this moisturizer. And the fact that it boasts bakuchiol, vitamin C, glycolic acid, antioxidants and even aloe. It’ll leave fine lines looking diminished and your skin feeling hydrated.
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Peach & Lily
Pure Peach Retinoic Eye Cream, $42 at Ulta Beauty
Not only will this eye cream minimize fine lines and wrinkles around your eye area, it’ll also tackle sagging, dark circles and dryness. That’s because it contains bakuchiol along with rosehip seed oil, niacinamide, ceramides and peach extract (hence the name). It’s potent yet gentle. Just what we expect from our eye creams.
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Kate Somerville
DermalQuench Liquid Lift +Retinol, $98 at Ulta Beauty
What do you get when you combine the power of oxygen with bakuchiol? Smooth, glowing skin. This treatment accelerates skin cell turnover, promotes collagen production and improves elasticity. It also supplies hydration that really lasts.
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Biossance
Squalane + Phyto-Retinol Serum, $72 at Sephora
Here, bakuchiol teams up with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to reveal plumper, brighter and less wrinkled skin. It’s great for those with sensitive or photosensitive skin and you can apply it and go about your day.
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Paula's Choice
0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment, $52 at Paula’s Choice
By pairing bakuchiol and retinol, the brand’s treatment targets everything from fine lines to enlarged pores. It also offers peptides to support healthy collagen. Another bonus? Its light lotion texture helps it absorb in a flash.
