Is bakuchiol better than retinol? Maybe, maybe not - the beautiful thing about skincare is that it’s individual. What works for one person may not work for someone else. That said, there are a few major reasons why we decided to use bakuchiol in Inotka products instead of retinol.
In a lot of ways, retinol and bakuchiol are remarkably similar. For instance, both bakuchiol and retinol show a lot of promise when it comes to reducing the visible signs of aging, like wrinkles and sun spots. They may also help with other skin concerns like breakouts, large pores, and general skin texture and appearance.
However, retinol is much more likely to irritate the skin when compared to bakuchiol. Plus, there are a few instances where retinol is totally off-limits. If you’re interested to learn if bakuchiol is the better choice for you, keep on reading!
Bakuchiol vs Retinol for Sensitive Skin
The main difference between bakuchiol and retinol is tolerability. Retinol’s main side effects are redness, irritation, and skin peeling. This is especially likely for users with sensitive skin.
Bakuchiol, on the other hand, is much more gentle. Research shows that it doesn’t have these side effects. In fact, in some instances it might even offer a calming effect, making bakuchiol great for sensitive skin.
Bakuchiol vs Retinol During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, it’s generally advised to avoid retinol as well as other skincare ingredients within the same family of vitamin A.
Once applied to the skin, retinol converts to retinaldehyde which then converts to retinoic acid. There have been a few instances where topical use of retinoic acid has been associated with congenital malformations, which is why the FDA recommends that it be avoided during pregnancy.
While bakuchiol has similar effects to retinol, it’s not a retinoid and it doesn’t convert into retinoic acid, so chances are that bakuchiol is safe during pregnancy. That said, we still recommend speaking to your doctor about the products you use.
Bakuchiol vs Retinol While Breastfeeding
Much as with pregnancy, it’s generally also recommended to avoid retinoids when breastfeeding. We know that taking retinoic acid orally can be very harmful to a breastfeeding child. Topical use is considered low risk, but it’s still best to avoid. The same concerns aren’t present when it comes to bakuchiol.
Bakuchiol vs Retinol for Skin Dryness
As we already touched on, retinol can make the skin pretty flaky - something that’s not a risk with bakuchiol. If you have dry skin, anything that makes it flakier or drier can be an issue, especially since those with dry skin are more prone to irritation and skin barrier damage. That said, even if you’re using bakuchiol, make sure that it’s in conjunction with hydrating ingredients. We formulated our Bakuchiol Night Balm with hyaluronic acid and shea butter, which do an exquisite job of fortifying the skin barrier, helping the skin retain moisture, and making it feel extra smooth.
Bakuchiol vs Retinol: Key Takeaways
So to summarize, bakuchiol is the better choice if you have sensitive skin or if you’re prone to dryness. Unlike retinol, bakuchiol isn’t considered a risk during pregnancy or breastfeeding, either.
Because it’s so much more gentle and yet incredibly effective, we decided to make Bakuchiol our star ingredient at Inotka. This way, we know we can help everyone achieve the skin they dream of!