Can you use retinol with bakuchiol?
Yes. Bakuchiol is a plant-derived ingredient with some retinol-like effects, it's gentler than retinol, and it has been combined with retinoids in studies without added irritation.
Why
In lab models, adding bakuchiol to retinal boosted some retinoid effects without raising irritation potential, and a cream combining them was very well tolerated in a small study. In a head-to-head trial, bakuchiol caused less scaling and stinging than retinol, and it has also been reported to improve retinol's stability. Much of this research is funded by product makers, so the evidence is promising but limited.
How to use them
You can layer them in the same routine, and bakuchiol also works in the morning. If you're new to retinoids, still start the retinol slowly.
Sources
- 1Natural Retinol Analogs Potentiate the Effects of Retinal on Aged and Photodamaged Skin: Results from In Vitro to Clinical Studies · Dermatology and Therapy, 2023
- 2Prospective, randomized, double-blind assessment of topical bakuchiol and retinol for facial photoageing · British Journal of Dermatology, 2019
- 3Bakuchiol: Better Than Retinol? · Lab Muffin Beauty Science (Michelle Wong, PhD), 2019
General cosmetic information, not medical advice. Written with AI assistance from the sources above; updated October 2026.