Bakuchiol isn’t just hype. The clinical studies are legit — it signals your skin cells to behave like they’re on retinol, but without the screaming.
The real win? You can use it in the morning. No sun sensitivity drama.
This is Herbivore‘s Bakuchiol Smoothing Serum. $58. I tried it because my skin was over the retinoid purge cycle.
Texture
A clear, slick gel — not sticky at all.
Scent
Light, herbal, fades in 10 seconds.
Packaging
A glass bottle with a dropper. Feels fancy, but you’ll use it up fast.
Photo: Karly Jones / Unsplash
Bakuchiol is the star, derived from the babchi plant. It works on the same receptors as retinol. The base is squalane and tremella mushroom — hydration magnets.
- Bakuchiol: mimics retinol’s cell-communicating action
- Squalane: mimics skin’s own moisture
- Tremella Mushroom: holds 500x its weight in water
- Willow Bark: a gentle exfoliant to smooth texture
Absorbs in under 30 seconds — leaves a dewy, slightly tacky film for a minute. Then it’s just soft skin.
By week three, my texture was smoother. The surprise? Zero irritation. Not even a tingle. Almost boring.
Fine lines looked softer. My skin was plump. But it won’t tackle deep wrinkles like prescription retinoids. That’s the trade-off.
It works, but on a gentle timeline. Perfect for the irritation-averse who still want results.