7 Best Bakuchiol Serums to Smooth Fine Lines and Boost Glow Without Irritation

If you’ve been curious about trying retinol but want something a little gentler to start with, the best bakuchiol serums might be your perfect entry point. Bakuchiol has been gaining traction in skin-care circles because it offers many of the same benefits as retinol—think smoother texture, more even skin tone, and softened fine lines—but with a much lower risk of irritation. “Bakuchiol is a gentle, plant-derived alternative to retinol that helps boost cell turnover and support collagen production,” says Nazanin Saedi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in East Norriton, PA.

Other major perks? Unlike traditional retinoids, “bakuchiol does not increase your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight, so it’s safe and effective to use day or night,” says Dr. Saedi. And while every pregnancy calls for a chat with your dermatologist when you switch up your routine, many experts view bakuchiol as a gentler, better-tolerated alternative to retinol for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Ahead, check out the formulas dermatologists and our editors agree are worth the shelf space.

Our Top Bakuchiol Serums

Best Overall: Isdin Isdinceutics Melatonik Serum

Why it’s worth it: Even though Isdin Isdinceutics Melatonik doesn’t contain retinol (so there’s no increased sun sensitivity to worry about), it’s still a nighttime-only serum. In addition to bakuchiol, the other star ingredient, melatonin, works with your skin’s natural overnight repair cycle, acting as an indirect antioxidant to help reinforce its defenses against free-radical damage while you sleep. “The nighttime delivery enables the serum to sink into the skin and renew while you sleep,” says Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Birmingham, AL. Plus, there’s vitamin C for added brightening and environmental protection come morning. Between the silky serum-in-oil texture that melts right in, the non-comedogenic formula, and the fact that it skips all the usual retinol drama (read: peeling and purging), this is one bakuchiol serum that earns its luxe price tag.

Best for Sensitive Skin: Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides Serum

Why it’s worth it: While you might know Medik8 for its iconic Crystal Retinol, Bakuchiol Peptides is a gentler alternative for those with sensitive skin. The lightweight, oil-based serum features 1.25% bakuchiol—a slightly higher concentration than many formulas—yet it’s surprisingly well-tolerated for irritation-prone skin. That’s thanks to its blend of brightening peptides, soothing Centella asiatica, and omega-rich oils that cushion the formula and help calm redness while boosting firmness and skin elasticity over time. “This face serum has a soothing formula that leaves the skin feeling soft and well-hydrated. And, with consistent use, you may begin to see a renewed, more balanced glow,” says Dr. Saedi.

Best Drugstore: Eau Thermale Avène RetrinAL Advanced Correcting Serum

Why it’s worth it: Most of Avène’s RetrinAL products lean on retinaldehyde (a.k.a. retinal), a vitamin A derivative that works faster than traditional retinol but is still gentler than prescription-strength retinoids. But here’s where our ingredient sleuthing at Allure comes in: despite the name, RetrinAL Advanced Correcting Serum doesn’t contain retinal at all. This version relies on bakuchiol to deliver similar smoothing and line-softening results without the irritation retinal products can trigger. That switch makes the serum an especially great pick for sensitive or reactive skin: “This product is widely available, and Avène is known for its gentleness due to the thermal spring water used in their formulations,” says William Kwan, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Beverly Hills and Encino, CA. The formula also features hyaluronic acid to ward off dryness, niacinamide to calm and strengthen the skin barrier, and pre-tocopheryl (a stable form of vitamin E) for antioxidant protection—making it a soothing, beginner-friendly way to get retinoid-adjacent benefits.

Best for Dry Skin: Herbivore Botanicals Bakuchiol Dual Retinol Alternative Serum

Why it’s worth it: If you’ve been steering clear of retinol-based products because your skin leans dry or easily tight, Herbivore’s Bakuchiol Serum offers a gentler way to smooth fine lines without sacrificing hydration. Instead of drying actives, the nourishing formula pairs bakuchiol with moisture-binding betaine and glycerin, which help draw water into the skin and keep it comfortably plump throughout the day. A rare addition you won’t spot in many formulas, mastic tree resin—harvested on the remote Greek island of Chios—helps refine skin texture and visibly tighten pores, all without the irritation or peeling you’d expect from traditional retinoids.

Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Typology Serum Imperfections Bakuchiol 1%

Typology

Serum Imperfections Bakuchiol 1%

Why it’s worth it: You usually hear bakuchiol praised for wrinkles and firmness, but it can be just as beneficial for breakout-prone skin. Typology Serum Imperfections 1% Bakuchiol keeps things incredibly simple with just three ingredients—caprylic/capric triglyceride, hazelnut seed oil, and 1% bakuchiol—making it a great fit for anyone who wants targeted treatment without fluff ingredients. “It’s a nice option for oily skin as the formula’s anti-inflammatory properties can help calm acne and blemishes that often occur due to excess sebum. The formula is also non-comedogenic, which is essential for anyone with oily skin,” says Dr. Hartman. Technically more of a dry oil than a traditional serum, it absorbs quickly, helps reduce congestion-causing bacteria, balances sebum, and can even soften post-blemish marks over time.

Best with Retinol: Paula’s Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment

Paula’s Choice

Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment

Why it’s worth it: Rather than choosing between retinol or bakuchiol, Paula’s Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment combines both in one formula for a stronger—but still surprisingly tolerable—approach to visible aging. It also happens to have the highest concentration of bakuchiol (2%) of any product on our list, which is worth noting if you’re looking for maxed-out benefits. Studies suggest that pairing bakuchiol with retinol can enhance efficacy and improve overall tolerability compared with either alone. “It works particularly well on mature skin because the retinol–bakuchiol pairing targets fine lines and wrinkles while boosting collagen for a firmer, smoother appearance,” says Dr. Hartman. This treatment also features ceramides, peptides, licorice root extract, and hyaluronic acid to help hydrate, brighten, and buffer potential irritation.

Best for Mature Skin: Replenix Retinol+Bakuchiol Concentrated Serum

Replenix

Retinol+Bakuchiol Concentrated Serum

Why it’s worth it: Another retinol-and-bakuchiol combo on our list, Replenix Retinol+Bakuchiol Concentrated Serum is designed to address signs of aging—think fine lines, uneven skin tone, and loss of firmness. “It’s an elegant product with a smooth texture that can work as well as tretinoin,” says Dr. Kwan. What really sets it apart is the backup team of skin-calming ingredients: a blend of green tea polyphenols, black tea extract, and licorice root that helps dial down inflammation and brighten dullness—two things mature skin usually deals with just as much as wrinkles. And because retinol can be drying, there’s glycerin to keep moisture levels up so skin looks smooth, not tight or flaky.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does bakuchiol compare to retinol in terms of results?

Bakuchiol products show a lot of promise, but they’re not as well-proven as retinol. “Since it’s a newer skin-care ingredient, there are only a few small, limited studies on its effectiveness. In these studies, they suggest that it can have similar benefits to retinoids without the irritation. However, retinoids have decades of research to validate their benefits,” says Dr. Kwan. So while bakuchiol may be a natural alternative to retinol and have comparable smoothing, brightening, and collagen-supporting effects, retinol remains the gold standard for long-term data.

Can bakuchiol be layered with acids, vitamin C, or niacinamide?

Bakuchiol is easygoing when it comes to mixing with other ingredients. “It can be layered, and is often combined with other skin-care ingredients like vitamin C, which can make it easier to apply all in one step,” says Dr. Kwan. Unlike retinol, it’s less likely to clash with exfoliating acids or calming ingredients like niacinamide, so that most people can use it alongside their usual routine without irritation. That said, if you’re stacking multiple actives in your beauty products, a quick patch test never hurts.

Is it okay to use bakuchiol with retinol together?

It’s not necessarily redundant to use bakuchiol and retinol together—in fact, some people may benefit from the combo. “I often recommend pairing products that stimulate collagen production together, like retinol/retinoids and peptides or growth factors,” says Dr. Kwan. Bakuchiol won’t “cancel out” retinol’s effects, and in some formulas, it’s included to help buffer irritation while still supporting firmness and cell turnover. That said, if you’re already tolerating retinol well, you may not need bakuchiol, but it can be a helpful add-on if you’re looking for extra support without increasing strength. Just a quick reminder: if you’re using a retinol and bakuchiol combo at night, don’t skip sunscreen the next morning, as your skin will need the extra protection.

Meet the experts

• Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology based in Birmingham, AL
• William Kwan, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Golden State Dermatology in Beverly Hills and Encino, CA
• Nazanin Saedi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Plymouth Meeting Dermatology, based in East Norriton, PA

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For our list of the best bakuchiol serums, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team of in-house writers and editors, as well as contributors, along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more about our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

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