Bakuchiol: The Pregnancy-Safe Retinol Alternative That Actually Works

Why pregnant women are switching to bakuchiol

If you have been using retinol as part of your skincare routine, finding out you need to stop during pregnancy can feel frustrating. Retinol is one of the most proven anti-ageing ingredients — but it is off limits for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Enter bakuchiol (pronounced "bah-KOO-chee-ol"), a plant-derived ingredient that has been making waves as a pregnancy-safe retinol alternative. But does it actually work, or is it just marketing hype?

What is bakuchiol?

Bakuchiol is a meroterpene extracted from the seeds and leaves of the Psoralea corylifolia (babchi) plant, used in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for centuries. Unlike retinol, bakuchiol is not a vitamin A derivative — it works through entirely different biological pathways, which is why it does not carry the same pregnancy risks.

On INCI labels, look for: Bakuchiol or Psoralea Corylifolia Seed Extract

The science: bakuchiol vs retinol

The landmark study

A 2019 study published in the British Journal of Dermatology (Dhaliwal et al.) directly compared bakuchiol and retinol in a 12-week double-blind trial:

• 44 participants used either 0.5% bakuchiol (twice daily) or 0.5% retinol (once daily)
• Both groups showed significant improvement in wrinkles, pigmentation, and overall photodamage
• No statistical difference between the two groups in efficacy
• The retinol group experienced significantly more scaling and stinging
• The bakuchiol group reported no significant side effects

How bakuchiol works

While retinol works by binding to retinoid receptors in the skin, bakuchiol achieves similar results through different mechanisms:

• Stimulates collagen production via upregulation of type I and type III collagen genes
• Antioxidant activity — neutralises free radicals that cause premature ageing
• Anti-inflammatory properties — helps with pregnancy-related skin sensitivity
• Inhibits melanin production — helps with melasma and pregnancy mask
• Antibacterial effects — useful for pregnancy acne

Is bakuchiol safe during pregnancy?

Yes — bakuchiol is considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Here is why:

• It is not a retinoid and does not interact with vitamin A pathways
• It has no known reproductive toxicity in animal or human studies
• It has no ECHA hazard classifications related to reproductive health
• Multiple dermatologists and pregnancy skincare experts recommend it as a first-line retinol replacement

In the VeriMom database, bakuchiol scores in the No Known Risks band. Compared to retinol:

That said, as with any skincare ingredient, if you have specific concerns, consult your healthcare provider.

How to use bakuchiol during pregnancy

Concentration

Most bakuchiol products contain 0.5-2% bakuchiol. Unlike retinol, bakuchiol does not cause irritation, so there is no need to build up tolerance gradually.

When to apply

Bakuchiol is stable in light (unlike retinol, which degrades in sunlight), so you can use it morning and evening. This is a practical advantage — retinol is typically limited to nighttime use.

What to pair it with

Bakuchiol works well with other pregnancy-safe actives:

What to avoid

There are no known negative interactions with bakuchiol. However, some bakuchiol products may contain other ingredients that are not pregnancy-safe — always check the full ingredient list with our ingredient checker.

Bakuchiol product tips

When choosing a bakuchiol product during pregnancy:

1. Check the full ingredient list — some "bakuchiol serums" also contain retinol as a secondary ingredient

2. Look for at least 0.5% bakuchiol — lower concentrations may not be effective

3. Choose fragrance-free if possible — pregnancy can make you more sensitive to scents

4. Patch test first — pregnancy hormones can change how your skin reacts to new products

When to switch back to retinol

Many women find that bakuchiol works so well they continue using it after pregnancy. However, if you want to return to retinol for its more potent effects:

• During pregnancy: Use bakuchiol
• While breastfeeding: Continue with bakuchiol
• After breastfeeding: Safe to reintroduce retinol (start slowly to rebuild tolerance)

The bottom line

Bakuchiol is not a compromise — it is a genuinely effective ingredient with clinical evidence supporting its anti-ageing benefits. For pregnant and breastfeeding women, it offers the closest thing to retinol results without any of the safety concerns.

Use our ingredient checker to verify that your bakuchiol product is pregnancy-safe, or search for bakuchiol products in our product database.

This article is for informational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised skincare advice during pregnancy.