Experts Agree—These Bakuchiol Serums Work Just as Well (If Not Better!) Than Retinol

What if I told you that you could experience all the skin-smoothing, clearing benefits of retinol without the unwelcome side effects (peeling, burning, redness, etc.)? It’s not a fantasy—it’s called bakuchiol. Yep, the plant-based ingredient is revered by derms and aestheticians as nature’s best alternative to retinol, and the hype is well-warranted.

Retinol is a very finicky (albeit powerful!) ingredient, so you need to use it alongside a very simple skincare routine, lest you overwhelm your skin barrier. I personally test way too many beauty launches on a weekly basis to commit to a potent retinol serum—receiving hundreds of product samples is both a blessing and a curse—but bakuchiol is far easier to incorporate with other strong actives. It also can be used throughout pregnancy and during the day (whereas retinol makes your skin incredibly sun sensitive, and thus should only be used at night).

Given all these perks, why wouldn’t you want to try the buzzy retinol alternative? Ahead, discover my favorite bakuchiol serums to slather on, as well as expert-approved picks from a dermatologist and a cosmetic chemist. Whether you’re a staunch retinol user or have yet to overcome your fear of the vitamin A derivative, you’ll surely fall in love with these effective, natural formulas.

The Best Bakuchiol Serums, Listed

• Best for Uneven Skin Texture: Herbivore Botanicals Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Smoothing Serum
• Best Potent: Paula’s Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment
• Best for Evening Use: Isdin Isdinceutics Melatonik Rejuvenating Night Serum
• Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Savor Beauty Blue Tansy 2% Bakuchiol Serum
• Best for Dark Spots: Alpyn Beauty Vitamin C & Bearberry Instant Glow Serum
• Best Splurge: Mimi Luzon Skincore Crème Oil
• Best for Dry Skin: Dr. Jart+ Prejuvenation Firming Bakuchiol Serum for Preventative Aging

The Best Bakuchiol Serums of 2025

Best for Uneven Skin Texture: Herbivore Botanicals Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Smoothing Serum

Best Potent: Paula’s Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment

Best for Evening Use: Isdin Isdinceutics Melatonik Rejuvenating Night Serum

Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Savor Beauty Blue Tansy 2% Bakuchiol Serum

Best for Dark Spots: Alpyn Beauty Vitamin C & Bearberry Instant Glow Serum

Best Splurge: Mimi Luzon Skincore Crème Oil

Best for Dry Skin: Dr. Jart+ Prejuvenation Firming Bakuchiol Serum for Preventative Aging

Best for Fine Lines: Avene Retrinal Serum Advanced Correcting Serum

Best Drugstore Buy: Burt’s Bees Renewal Intensive Firming Serum

Wait, what’s bakuchiol again?

Let’s review, shall we? “Bakuchiol is a plant-based ingredient that comes from the seeds and leaves of the Babchi plant, which has been used in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine,” says Koestline. “What’s cool about bakuchiol is that it delivers similar results to retinol, like boosting collagen production, smoothing out fine lines, and evening skin tone, but without the typical side effects of retinol, like redness or peeling.”

Essentially, it’s a powerful substance that performs similarly to retinol yet doesn’t come with the same dreaded side effects. “It’s a great alternative if you have sensitive skin or if retinol is just too harsh for you,” Koestline adds. Feel free to read more about it in our big bakuchiol explainer.

FAQ

What types of bakuchiol work best?

According to Koestline, bakuchiol doesn’t have different “types” to choose from, whereas retinol comes in many forms (retinol, retinal, retinyl palmitate, etc.).

“What really matters is the purity and quality of the extract used in products,” she says. “The best bakuchiol products will use pure, stabilized bakuchiol and combine it with other complementary ingredients, like hydrating agents or antioxidants. So the form that works best is the one that’s well-formulated to deliver bakuchiol effectively to your skin.”

What percentage of bakuchiol is most effective?

While type may not play a role, concentration matters. According to Hogan, “If there is not enough bakuchiol in a skincare product, it may not be effective.” That said, you don’t need to seek out anything super high—a concentration between 0.5% to 2% will serve you well. “A good rule of thumb is around 1% to get a nice balance of potency without overwhelming your skin,” adds Koestline.

Which is better: retinol or bakuchiol?

It’s kind of a trick question, as one isn’t necessarily “better” than the other. It all depends on your skin goals and what your complexion can handle. If you’re looking for the skin-smoothing benefits of retinol, you might as well go straight to the source.

However, if you can’t use retinol for any reason (you have sensitive skin, are pregnant, or just prefer a gentler option), then bakuchiol may be better suited for your needs. “If you’re already using retinol and your skin loves it, there’s no need to switch, but if you’re looking for something gentler, bakuchiol is worth trying,” says Koestline.

What are the downsides of bakuchiol?

The main downside is that while it has similar benefits to retinol, the vitamin A derivative is still the gold standard when it comes to treating aging skin. With bakuchiol, “it may take several months of use for any benefit to be noted,” Hogan explains. “Bakuchiol, however, is better tolerated than retinol and users experience less redness, flaking and irritation than with retinol.”

As for side effects, Koestline notes bakuchiol is very gentle and generally works for all skin types. “However, since it’s still a skincare ingredient, there’s always a small chance of irritation or an allergic reaction, but those cases are rare,” she adds. “As with any new product, it’s always smart to patch-test first just to be safe.”

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This story was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.