A plant-associated phenolic compound studied for the appearance of photoaged skin.
Sources: 1No alternative names recorded.
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Limited evidence
Bakuchiol
What it does
A small comparison with retinol found improvements in measured appearance outcomes; this does not establish equivalence for every product or indication.
Sources: 1Good for
- Fine-line and pigmentation appearance
How to use it
Follow the finished product's directions and assess tolerance when introducing it. Ingredient research does not supply one universal dose or schedule.
Sources: 1Who should be careful
Botanical origin does not make a product non-allergenic or establish pregnancy safety.
Sources: 1Pairs well with
No supported pairings have been documented for this record.
Usage, safety and formulation details
Mechanism of action
Proposed antioxidant and skin-signaling effects are being investigated. Bakuchiol is chemically different from retinol.
Sources: 1Potential adverse effects
Irritation or contact allergy may occur; stop a product that causes a persistent or marked reaction.
Sources: 1Formulation considerations
Purity and vehicle matter. Evidence for purified bakuchiol does not automatically apply to an unstandardized plant oil.
Sources: 1Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Safety tags
- Fragrance allergen
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Essential oil
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Drying alcohol
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- May irritate sensitive skin
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
What remains uncertain
- Exact concentration, final pH and the full composition of any unprovided finished product
Clinical evidence and research (1 studies)
Clinical evidence
Evidence for its main benefitLimited evidence
A cited study is entered below. Its formulation, exposure and limitations must be considered before applying the results to another product.
Sources: 1Bakuchiol and retinol for facial photoageing: randomized trial
- Design
- Randomized, double-blind comparison with retinol
- Population
- 44 participants
- Studied concentration
- 0.5% bakuchiol compared with 0.5% retinol
- Duration
- 12 weeks; application schedules differed
Both groups improved measured wrinkle and pigmentation appearance; tolerability differed.
Limitations: Small comparison without a vehicle-only arm; not proof of equivalence, long-term safety or pregnancy suitability.
Randomised clinical trialSources: 1Regulation and ingredient label names
Regulatory information
No jurisdiction-specific assessment is recorded. An inventory listing is not blanket approval.
Names on ingredient lists
bakuchiol
Chemical identity and molecular structure
Chemical information
Chemical structure
| Detail | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PubChem CID | 5468522 | PubChem compound 5468522: chemical identity |
| molecular formula | C18H24O | PubChem compound 5468522: chemical identity |
| molecular weight | 256.4 g/mol | PubChem compound 5468522: chemical identity |
| iupac name | 4-[(1E,3S)-3-ethenyl-3,7-dimethylocta-1,6-dienyl]phenol | PubChem compound 5468522: chemical identity |
Content updated 9 November 2026.
Sources (2)
Scientific sources
- Bakuchiol and retinol for facial photoageing: randomized trialrandomized human trial · 2019
- PubChem compound 5468522: chemical identitychemical identity
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