Skincare Basics

In this blog post, I am telling you which ingredient that you should use on your skin for anti-aging is it Bakuchiol or is it Retinol? I am also sharing with you the best product picks. 

So here’s a little background on Retinol and Bakuchiol. 

They are two ingredients that are both known for their proven anti-aging benefits. So which should you use on your skin and what should you spend your money on? 

Bakuchiol and Retinol work on the same gene expression pathways in your skin to exert their anti-aging and collagen-building effects even though they are structurally different compounds which is probably why Bakuchiol all have has less side effects. 

Retinol is a synthetic compound and Bakuchiol on the other hand is a natural compound derived from the Babchi plant, so it’s like a plant-based alternative to Retinol. 

What Does Research Tell Us?

Studies have shown that when one test group uses Bakuchiol and the other test group uses Retinol both groups actually get similar benefits but the Bakuchiol group gets way less side effects. 

This is a very very important finding because the number one reason that people fail Retinols is due to their side effects causing retinoid dermatitis.

This could manifest itself as redness of the skin, flaking of the skin, stinging or burning sensation on the skin, or just general irritation. 

Now it is true that Retinol is among the most irritating, drying, and difficult-to-tolerate topical skincare ingredients. Even though they can offer amazing benefits, many people are never able to get those benefits because they cannot tolerate the consistent use of Retinols. This is why I believe Bakuchiol is an ingredient that has a major potential in the skincare industry and so far it has very promising research results. 

Here’s Our Advice on the Debate Between Retinol Versus Bakuchiol for Anti-Aging

Who Should Use Bakuchiol?

You should use Bakuchiol instead of Retinol if you have tried and failed Retinol or other retinoid products and you do not have either of these in your routine right now. Or if you have really sensitive skin and just everything seems to sting or irritate your skin or cause you to break out you should use Bakuchiol instead of a Retinol product if you feel that you do not have a great skin barrier right now for a variety of reasons and you should use Bakuchiol instead of a Retinol if you are pregnant or breastfeeding since topical retinoids are not recommended in those situations however our disclaimer is that you should still ask your own physician or provider who is taking care of you if Bakuchiol is okay for you to use. 

Another reason you should use Bakuchiol instead of Retinol is if you want to use this in your morning routine because Bakuchiol is more stable in sunlight and will not break down like some forms of Retinol can or maybe you just want to double down on your anti-aging benefits and add Bakuchiol to your morning routine because you may already have a Retinol in your nighttime routine. 

Who Should Use Retinol?

Now on the flip side, you should use retinol instead of Bakuchiol if you are already on a Retinol product consistently, you have no side effects and you are getting good results, if it’s not broken don’t fix it. You should use Retinol if you want to go with the more studied ingredient and researched. Retinol has been used for longer in modern skin care and has more studies done on this ingredient so it is tried and true at this point.

What Do I Use Like Personally in My Own Routine Right Now? 

I am using Bakuchiol way more than my retinoid right now and I almost always use it in the morning time. I still do use my retinoid at night but I’m actually using it less frequently than I have in a long time during the week I am kind of alternating it more often. 

I am personally using Bakuchiol more often for several reasons. Here is my primary reason. I feel like that I have a healthier skin barrier when I use Bakuchiol more in my retinoid less.

I am following some of the research about the microbiome of the skin and how certain really irritating ingredients can alter the microbiome and actually drive the skin issues and diseases that it is trying to correct. I think long-term moderating the use of those ingredients for some people with certain skin types or conditions may be key and I have sensitive almost rosacea prone skin in general so Bakuchiol is way easier for me to tolerate.

Here are the Bakuchiol Products that I Have Tried

In the name of full transparency, please note that this post contains affiliate links and any purchase made through such links will result in a small commission for us.

Skin Hero Bakuchiol + Calendula Bio-Retinol Serum by three ships

This is the most affordable option that has the highest Bakuchiol percentage in it with 2%. It also has Calendula and Rosehip oil in it to smooth the skin and offset and balance the really high percentage of Bakuchiol in this.

RetrinAL Advanced Correcting Serum by Avène

This is the product that got me really into Bakuchiol in the first place, and this is the product that I have used the longest until I started recently using the three ships during my product testing phase. There are two downsides to this product. Number one it’s the cost it’s almost eighty dollars when it’s not on sale which makes it the most expensive product, and there isn’t a super transparent percentage of Bakuchiol listed in this. I believe it to be around 1.5% but I actually cannot confirm. More is not always better with skincare active percentages, however, I still really prefer to know the percentage in the product whether it is a lot or a little so I will always gravitate towards products that have their percentages listed.

Pro-Ferm™ overnight complex by Tula

I absolutely love the texture and the packaging of this but I am still looking for another eye cream to try that is more affordable, that is also more transparent with how much Bakuchiol is in it because this does not have it listed, and a product that’s formulated just as well and packaged just as well so far I have not found a better and more affordable option than this.

Renewal Firming Eye Cream by Burt’s Bees

That’s actually extremely affordable it’s really nice, I like the texture but it is not quite as thick and balm like as Tula, so I like it, but I don’t love it enough to totally replace Tula in my own routine. 

Bakuchiol Moisturizer by Inkey

It is a bit too thin for me to be a true moisturizer almost this could pass as a serum or a great option for someone with oily skin or someone who wants just something super lightweight, but it is a great price. But for me personally, I like my moisturizers to be a little bit thicker in texture but again a little bit more a serum like in your routine you can try this one at an affordable price.

0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment by Paula’s Choice

If you can’t decide if Retinol or Bakuchiol should be in your routine you can get a product that has both in it, so this has point three percent Retinol and two percent Bakuchiol. This is actually very reasonably priced for a product that is formulated very well. This one is kind of like a little bit of a hybrid between a serum and a moisturizer, it absorbs very quickly and feels lightweight and a little bit dewy on the skin. What is nice about this product is that you are getting a small percentage of Retinol at point three percent and you are getting boosted anti-aging results or similar benefits from the high percentage of Bakuchiol in it. This product is kind of the best of both worlds. This product is something that you can use nightly I recommend it without irritation for most people so this is another really good option to try in your routine if you are interested in incorporating a Bakuchiol product.

Disclaimer: In the name of full transparency, please note that this post contains affiliate links and any purchase made through such links will result in a small commission for us.