Skip to main content

Active ingredient

Bakuchiol

INCI · Bakuchiol

Bakuchiol is a meroterpenoid extracted from Psoralea corylifolia seeds, used as a retinol-functional analogue without retinoid molecular structure. It modulates retinol-pathway gene expression, smooths the appearance of fine lines, and evens tone. Pairs well with most actives, including vitamin C and niacinamide. Not a true vitamin A derivative: different molecular family.

Last reviewed by BIOSAR Scientific Team, PharmD, Cosmetic Chemistry, Pharmacy practice on .

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Use with caution — consult your clinician.

Despite frequent marketing as a pregnancy-safe retinol alternative, human pregnancy data for bakuchiol are limited. Mother to Baby and IJWD reviews recommend consulting an obstetrician before use during pregnancy or lactation.

Mechanism in detail

What Bakuchiol does

Plant-derived compound positioned as a gentler alternative to Retinol. Used in night care for sensitive or pregnancy-aware routines.

Evidence

What the research says

  • 12 weeksLines, tone and firmness improved against baseline

    An open-label 12-week test of a bakuchiol product used twice daily on the face found significant improvement in lines, pigmentation, elasticity and firmness against baseline. No control group; the authors work for the ingredient's supplier.

    Read the study

    Int J Cosmet Sci 2014 (Chaudhuri & Bojanowski)

Where it helps

Concerns Bakuchiol addresses

  • Aging

    The first time you notice it is rarely a wrinkle. It is a quality of light — the way your skin catches it differently in a morning mirror, or the photo where you look more tired than you feel. The mechanism is real (collagen synthesis slows; elastin fragments; barrier turnover lengthens), but the felt experience comes first. Serenity Age is the range BIOSAR built for that pivot — Retinol for visible renewal and collagen support, peptides selected for documented signaling activity, and the SPF discipline that protects every other active you apply.

From the BIOSAR catalog

Products formulated with Bakuchiol

Next ingredientBeeswax