Bakuchiol versus Retinol – Which Is Better?

Retinol is a popular ingredient found in most anti-aging skin care products. It provides outstanding results, but is it really the best ingredient for younger-looking skin? Or is there a better alternative to retinol?

Fortunately, you have options! Bakuchiol is showing great results in the beauty industry as the best alternative to retinol. Bakuchiol is often referred to as the natural retinol and can be found in many night creams, serums, and oils. 

With all the buzz around this ingredient, you may be wondering if bakuchiol actually works. Is it worth switching to products with bakuchiol? Let’s compare and contrast the benefits of both to help you decide.

What are retinoids?

Retinoids are a byproduct of vitamin A and claim to be effective at treating fine lines and wrinkles, promoting younger-looking skin and a clearer complexion. It penetrates deep into the middle layer of the skin (dermis) and boosts the production of collagen and elastin. As a result, it aids in reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Retinol is the most common over-the-counter (OTC) retinoid. Retinol is often used to treat various skin issues, including:

• Fine line and wrinkles

• Sun damage

• Hyperpigmentation

• Uneven skin tone

• Acne and scars

Like anything else, some people experience side effects from retinol. If you have sensitive skin, it can cause inflammation, irritation, or make your skin more sensitive to UV rays. The most common side effects of retinol include:

• Dry and irritated skin

• Itchiness

• Peeling skin

• Redness

• In severe cases, some people also experience eczema, skin discoloration, etc. 

What is bakuchiol?

Bakuchiol is a natural extract of vitamin A. It is harvested from the babchi plant. It is known for providing the same results as retinol with the same potency. Just like retinol, bakuchiol promotes collagen production resulting in younger-looking, clearer skin.

It provides similar benefits to retinol without any side effects. Some of these benefits include:

• Relatively gentle on the skin compared to retinol

• Ideal for every skin type

• Reduces fine lines and wrinkles

• Won’t cause any skin dryness or itchiness

Retinol versus Bakuchiol – which one is the best option?

While the results of retinol and bakuchiol are nearly the same, both ingredients are structurally different. Bakuchiol is naturally extracted from the babchi plant, whereas retinol is manufactured in the lab. Bakuchiol is a vegan product, but retinoids are sometimes made from animal byproducts. While bakuchiol is less powerful, it doesn’t have any of the same possible side effects as retinol. It is difficult to answer which one is the best option, as the answer depends on the individual needs of each person’s skin.

If you have sensitive skin and you experience any side effects after using retinol-based anti-aging skin care products, bakuchiol is a better option for you. However, if your skin isn’t sensitive and you want to buy anti-aging products that can offer quick results, you can use retinol-based products.

Overall, it is recommended for first-time users who are unsure of how their skin will react to retinol or bakuchiol, to buy an anti-aging cream with bakuchiol. Feel free to share your thoughts with us on the difference between retinol and bakuchiol.