Retinol vs. Bakuchiol: Are They Really Interchangeable?

Bakuchiol is often called a “natural alternative to retinol,” but that description can make the two sound more similar than they actually are.

Retinol

• A vitamin A derivative and part of the retinoid family

• Is converted within the skin through steps that ultimately lead toward retinoic acid activity

• Has a well-established body of research supporting improvements in photoaging, including fine lines, pigmentation and skin texture

• Can also cause dryness, peeling and irritation, particularly when first introduced

Bakuchiol

• A plant-derived compound that is not a retinoid or vitamin A derivative

• Appears to influence some of the same pathways involved in collagen production and photoaging

• Has shown improvements in wrinkles and pigmentation in clinical research

• Is generally associated with less irritation and may be an option when retinol isn't well tolerated

One small clinical study directly compared 0.5% bakuchiol with 0.5% retinol over 12 weeks. Both groups saw improvements in wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, while the retinol group experienced more scaling and stinging.

So, while bakuchiol may produce some retinoid-like effects, retinoids still have a much larger body of research supporting their use and long-term efficacy.

When would you choose bakuchiol over retinol for a client, and what would influence that decision?

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bjd.16918?utm_sourc