Bakuchiol Night Serum — The Gentle Alternative to Retinol
$58.00
Sale price
$58.00
Regular price
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Bakuchiol Night Serum — The Gentle Alternative to Retinol
$58.00
Sale price
$58.00
Regular price
Ships from the US · 30-day returns · Secure checkout.
Everything you wanted from retinol. Nothing you quit it for.
Bakuchiol is a plant-based retinol alternative — a botanical from the babchi seed that, in a published 12-week head-to-head study, performed comparably to retinol on the appearance of fine lines and uneven tone, with significantly less peeling and stinging. This nightly oil serum delivers it in a base of rosehip, jojoba, and Nordic berry seed oils. No ramp-up schedule. No purge week. No sun-sensitivity warning.
Who this is for
- You tried retinol and quit — the flaking, the redness, the "retinol uglies" weren't worth it
- Sensitive or reactive skin that wants a gentle active it can use every single night
- Anyone who wants to start an anti-aging step tonight without a three-week adjustment period
- You're pregnant, nursing, or otherwise avoiding retinoids and want a well-studied alternative (check with your doctor first)
What it does
- Helps reduce the appearance of fine lines with consistent nightly use
- Supports a renewed-looking, more radiant complexion by morning
- Gentle enough for sensitive skin — nightly from day one, no titration, no cycling, no purge
- Layers cleanly with vitamin C, peptides, and hyaluronic acid
- Vegan and nut-free
The research on bakuchiol vs retinol
Ingredient-level evidence — this is what published science says about bakuchiol as an ingredient, not a study of this specific product.
In a randomized, double-blind, 12-week clinical study published in the British Journal of Dermatology (Dhaliwal et al., 2019), 44 participants used either 0.5% bakuchiol twice daily or 0.5% retinol once daily.
| Bakuchiol | Retinol | |
|---|---|---|
| Wrinkle severity | Reduced ~20% | Reduced ~20% |
| Hyperpigmentation improvement | 59% | 44% |
| Scaling & stinging reported | Significantly less | More |
The authors' conclusion: bakuchiol was comparable to retinol in improving the appearance of photoaging and was better tolerated.
Our serum uses bakuchiol in a nourishing oil base for overnight use. We haven't run our own clinical trial on this formula and won't pretend we have — we chose the ingredient because the evidence is real, published, and peer-reviewed. Read the full comparison in our guide: Bakuchiol vs Retinol: what the research says.
How to use
Every night as your last step. Warm 4–5 drops between your palms and press into clean skin — face and neck. Unlike retinol, use it nightly from day one. Morning: cleanse, then vitamin C and SPF as usual.
Complete the night routine
Prep with the Hydrating Toner, press in the serum, seal with the Ceramide Barrier Night Cream. Prefer a day/night pair? The Day & Night Duo adds the Vitamin C Glow Serum.
Our 30-day guarantee
Use it for 30 days. If your skin isn't happier, email us and we'll refund you — no need to send anything back.
Common questions
Is bakuchiol as good as retinol?
In the one published head-to-head RCT, bakuchiol performed comparably to retinol on the appearance of wrinkles and pigmentation over 12 weeks, with less irritation. Retinol has decades more research behind it; bakuchiol has one strong study and a growing body of supporting work. For skin that can't tolerate retinol, it's the best-evidenced alternative.
Can I use bakuchiol in the morning?
Yes — bakuchiol doesn't increase sun sensitivity the way retinol does. We formulated this as a night serum because the oil base is richest overnight, but morning use under SPF is fine.
Can I use it with vitamin C?
Yes. Vitamin C in the morning, bakuchiol at night is the classic pairing. You can also layer them in the same routine — water-based serums first, oil serum last.
Will I purge or peel?
No. Bakuchiol isn't a retinoid and doesn't speed up cell turnover the way retinoids do, so there's no purge phase and no flaking.
Can I use bakuchiol while pregnant?
Bakuchiol is not a retinoid and is generally considered a suitable alternative during pregnancy — but talk to your doctor before adding any new active.
How long until I see a difference?
The study measured results at 12 weeks. Give it 8–12 weeks of nightly use before judging.
Does it contain nuts?
No — this serum is nut-free. (Our Vitamin C Glow Serum contains sweet almond oil.)
Vegan. Full ingredient list below — every ingredient, no exceptions.