Bakuchiol Is the Natural Alternative to Retinol

My Dull, Puffy Under-Eyes Brightened and Smoothed With This Cream From an Oprah-Used Brand anti-aging skincare, retinol has long been known as the holy grail ingredient. However, those who have tried it are all too familiar with the adjustment period, which consists of extra-dry skin and, at times, flaking and irritation. Although some of us can handle the powerhouse ingredient, retinol may not be a blessing for those with sensitive skin and certain skin conditions—which is where bakuchiol comes in. Known as nature's retinol, this plant-derived anti-aging ingredient is a godsend for people who can't tolerate retinol.

However, there are still many questions surrounding bakuchiol, retinol, and what the real differences are between these two anti-aging ingredients. As such, we tapped dermatologists Which Ingredient Works for You, and Shani Darden Retinol Reform, to find out all there is to know about retinol vs. bakuchiol, including what they are, how they differ, their side effects and, ultimately, how to choose the best one for your skin. Get all of the answers, below.

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Retinol is a vitamin A derivative. "It's used in skincare to stimulate collagen production, improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improve pigmentation," says Dr. Love.

Furthermore, Dr. Engelman explains, retinol works as an anti-aging ingredient because it's a cell-communicating ingredient that can connect to almost any skin cell receptor site and tell it to behave like a healthy, younger skin cell. Apart from being an anti-aging ingredient, Dr. Engelman says retinol is also a powerful antioxidant that can interrupt the free-radical damage process that causes wrinkling and other signs of aging.

Retinol is available in over-the-counter products, as well as prescription ones. While the former can take up to six months to show results, the latter can take effect in just a few weeks, says Dr. Engelman. However, your dermatologist can determine which one is better for your skin type, concerns, and goals.

Shani Darden Retinol Reform?

"Bakuchiol is a natural alternative to retinol, found in select plants, that has been shown to have similar skin-improving effects as retinol," says Dr. Love. The plant is Psoralea corylifolia, every day and reapply it every two hours to prevent irritation.

"Bakuchiol has a history in medicine for soothing rashes, calming redness, and healing cuts," adds Dr. Engelman. "In skincare, it acts similarly to retinol and has been shown to upregulate and stimulate collagen—it also works as an anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant." When using bakuchiol products, Dr. Love says people can expect to see effects in approximately six weeks if they use the ingredient twice a day.

Dr. Engelman adds that retinol can make the skin more sensitive to the sun. As such, make sure to

People who use retinol typically experience an adjustment period where their skin acclimates to the ingredient's strength. "If started too quickly or too strongly, retinol can cause skin irritation in the form of redness, flaking, burning, stinking, and dryness," says Dr. Love. "For this reason, only a thin layer of retinol should be applied," three times a week to start.

After regular, consistent use, she says that people can slowly increase the frequency they use their retinol product, up to a nightly application. "Once tolerating nightly, the strength of retinol can be increased as tolerated and desired," she says. "A thin layer will always be enough of the product."

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Elyse Love, MD

Bakuchiol is an almost universally tolerated ingredient with very few incidences of irritation, says Dr. Love. However, people with extremely sensitive skin My Dull, Puffy Under-Eyes Brightened and Smoothed With This Cream From an Oprah-Used Brand.

How to Use Retinol

For starters, make sure your skin has been cleansed and dried before application. Retinol should be used exclusively at night, says Dr. Love. (Remember what we said about it causing sun sensitivity? This is why it's recommended to use at night.)

She says to use a pea-sized amount of product, and to start by using it two to three times a week. Over time, use can be increased as skin builds up its tolerance to retinol. "Many people will only tolerate retinol three to five times a week, and that's fine," adds Dr. Love.

How to Use Retinol, ROC's Retinol Correxion serum capsules keep the ingredient as fresh and potent as possible thanks to its biodegradable capsules, which also make it great for mess-free travel. Another option is the Shani Darden Retinol Reform, Elyse Love, MD.

which combines the hero ingredient with lactic acid and apple extract for immediately smooth skin

Despite bakuchiol being much more gentle than retinol, Dr. Engelman still recommends doing a patch test on your skin to gauge how it'll react to it before applying it all over your face. If it all works out, you can start using it twice a day from the get-go, says Dr. Love. "It can also be used every morning and on non-retinol nights for those who are able to tolerate retinol at less than nightly frequencies," she says. "For those using retinol nightly, it can be used in the AM to supplement retinol results."

What Is Salicylic Acid? Skincare Experts Explain Avène RetrinAL Advanced Correcting Serum as it "combines bakuchiol with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid for instant hydration and gradual improvement in fine lines, pigmentation, and barrier function."

Retinol vs. Bakuchiol: How to Choose

Since both bakuchiol and retinol are anti-aging ingredients, Dr. Engelman says that either will work on mature and aging skin. However, there are other factors that come into play, such as sensitivity and whether or not your skin is prone to acne.

Dr. Love says that since retinol is one of the most studied ingredients in skincare, she recommends it for those who can tolerate it. Dr. Engelman says to pay attention to the skin and how it reacts to retinol. If your skin becomes too flaky, sensitive, or red, it could be that you're using too high of a dose or the use could be too frequent. If this is the case, you can opt for a product with a lower dose of retinol, cut back on frequency, or opt for bakuchiol instead.

People with super sensitive skin or who are prone to irritation should play it safe by opting for bakuchiol from the beginning. "The antibacterial properties of bakuchiol mean that it's great for those with acne or oily skin, and the anti-inflammatory properties make it perfect for those with sensitive skin," adds Dr. Engelman. Plus, Dr. Love says that it's also great for those with rosacea, perioral dermatitis, or eczema who find they are unable to tolerate retinol.