Bakuchiol vs Retinol: What the Science Really Says | Dermatologist Explains
Is Bakuchiol truly the gentler alternative to retinol it’s claimed to be? In this video, I’m breaking down what you actually need to know about this buzzy plant-based skincare ingredient. We’ll go beyond the hype and into the science — so you can decide if it deserves a place in your routine.
As a board-certified dermatologist, I’ll walk you through:
What Bakuchiol is and where it comes from
What the latest research reveals about its benefits
How it compares to retinol in terms of effectiveness, irritation, and safety
Whether it’s right for your skin concerns like aging, pigmentation, or sensitivity
👉 Spoiler: While it shows promise, Bakuchiol is not a retinoid and not a substitute for prescription treatments like tretinoin.
We’ll also talk about:
✔️ Who might benefit from using Bakuchiol
✔️ Important safety considerations (especially if you're pregnant)
✔️ What to look for in a Bakuchiol product
✔️ Common myths to avoid
🔬 Science-backed skincare always wins out over marketing buzzwords.
📚 References mentioned in this video:
Greenzaid J, Friedman A, Sodha P. The Use of Bakuchiol in Dermatology: A Review of In Vitro and In Vivo Evidence. J Drugs Dermatol. 2022.
Puyana C, Chandan N, Tsoukas M. Applications of Bakuchiol in Dermatology: Systematic Review. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022.
📹 Related Video:
🎥 How to Start Retinol for Sensitive Skin —
FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links.
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Disclaimer: This video is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment or medical advice. Content provided on this Youtube channel is for informational purposes only. Please consult with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or health related diagnosis or treatment options. Information on this Youtube channel should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional. The statements made about specific products throughout this video are not to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
Happy Wednesday Dr Dray so excited to be here i live for this have a nice day ❤️😊
Happy Wednesday everyone
Crazy I just looked up Bakuchiol yesterday!! This is so helpful
Great for day time –
Tried three different products with Bakuchiol and got dermatitis every time. No problems with retinol.
Yeah it always makes me itch. I persisted because I fell for the hype. Read it was an eye-safe retinoid alternative. Ugh. Never again.
Same, I broke out after bakuchiol immediately and I’ve been using medik8 retinal without any problems
Plant derived ingredients can contain things we don’t even know we are allergic to. I prefer lab manufactured skincare ingredients to “natural” ingredients.
Happy Wednesday, Dr. Dray! Thank you for another informative video from the best dermatologist on the planet. So excited to see your follower count continue to grow. See you tomorrow!
The Neutrogena Collagen Bank which has the Bakuchiol as a moisturizer at night is very hydrating
Paula’s choice has a retinol and bakuchiol serum which Dr Dray has reviewed. Avene, Versed, Medik8, Revision, Neostrata, etc, have bakuchiol products.
Thx ❤
Greetings d g hope u r well n Happy Wednesday😀👍💐🎉!!!….
I like the Paula’s Choice bakuchiol and retinol serum. Used it for a long time.
@SandyShirleySSI I love that one too. I never understood when people would say a product makes their skin “glow” until I tried PC Bakuchiol + Retinol. It gives my skin a healthy glow. I’ve also never experienced any irritation with it either.
Good morning Dr Dray ❤
Thanks Andrea, you’re always showing love to me. You make Miami better ❤
You’re the best! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us! 🎉❤
Rotating skincare with an expectation in mind is insane. Stick it out. use it up. Get consistent. ⚡️⚡️⚡️ big thank you 🙏🏼
yeah if I cant layer a new thing into my routine it just doesnt get into my life at all lol
im not cutting out any of my good stuff just for an experiment. skincare is so much trial and error for many of us that it is a blessing to have a stable routine
@Mad_PossumExactly! ❤❤
There are so many ingrediënts you cannot later these days. Its almost rocket science
I’ve used a Bakuchiol eye cream for more than a year now with no issues. Careful and consistent application away from eye edges.
I’ve heard a lot about Bakuchiol but I’ve never tried it. Thanks for giving us the lowdown on this product! I learn so much from you & I greatly appreciate you!❤️
This video was very helpful, thank you. I would really appreciate some clarification regarding squalane, whether it is really necessary for anti -aging purposes ❤
I’m not a derm, but I’m pretty sure squaline is a moisturizer ingredient. I love using it!
Dr Dray has a video on squalane.
Very interesting. I’m always fascinated with the origins of some products. You’re walking in a field, look down, pluck the plant and wah-lah.
I love bakuchiol, plus retinoids together works great for me
I found bakuchiol not irritating, but slightly increasing sensitivity of my skin. But most retinol cosmetics are too harsh for me. I have tried the combination of retinol, retinal and collagen in one eye cream (Torriden) and, surprisingly, it didn’t irritate my sensitive eye area. So, in my opinion – the formulation matters.
i prefer listening to cosmetic chemists now in terms of new ingredients hype over dermatologists now
Retinal for me thanks. Flowers can stay in a vase on the table
Sephora sells a 1% Bakuchiol serum under the Sephora Collection brand at a moderate price. I always pick up a couple of bottles during the Sephora sale to get 30% off. I apply it in the morning as part of my AM skincare routine and use tretinoin at night.