Bakuchiol: Retinol Comparison Study and Safety | Dose Track
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Bakuchiol: half-life, strengths and approval status

Amounts studied · Approval status · Half-life notes

What is bakuchiol?

Bakuchiol is a plant compound (a meroterpene phenol) found in the seeds and leaves of Psoralea corylifolia. It is used in skin care as an alternative to retinol: it does not look like a retinoid chemically, but in lab skin models it changed gene activity in a similar way to retinol.

Also known as: Psoralea corylifolia extract.

Amounts studied

Bakuchiol is a skin-care ingredient with no set strength. The comparison trial below used a 0.5% bakuchiol cream twice a day against a 0.5% retinol cream once a day. These are study protocols, not a recommendation.

Approval status and how it is used

In a 12-week randomized, double-blind trial in 44 people (Dhaliwal 2019), 0.5% bakuchiol cream twice a day and 0.5% retinol cream once a day both reduced wrinkle surface area and dark spots, with no statistical difference between them. People using retinol reported more facial scaling and stinging.

Earlier work (Chaudhuri 2014) found retinol-like gene activity in lab skin models and reported improvements in lines, pigmentation and firmness in a 12-week case study of twice-daily use. A 2026 case report describes allergic contact dermatitis from bakuchiol, so skin reactions can occur. See also tretinoin.

Bakuchiol half-life and time to peak

  • Half-lifeNot listed
  • Time to peak (Tmax)Not listed

We could not find a published half-life or time to peak for bakuchiol that we could cite, so we do not list one.

How to track bakuchiol in Dose Track

  1. Add bakuchiol as a custom compound. Start typing its name and Dose Track fills in the details from its research library for you to check, and it sits next to everything else you take.
  2. Log each application when you put it on, so your history shows how consistently you have used it.
  3. Set reminders on your own schedule, whether that is daily, weekly or every few days.
  4. Your log is stored on your phone and no account is needed. Data only leaves it for features you choose, like AI answers and lab reading.

How Dose Track handles peptides · Reconstitution calculator · Half-life calculator

TretinoinRetin-A, Renova Niacinamide (Nicotinamide)nicotinamide, vitamin B3 Vitamin A (Retinol and Beta-Carotene)retinol, retinyl palmitate

Frequently asked questions

What is the half-life of bakuchiol?+
We could not find a published half-life or time to peak for bakuchiol that we could cite, so we do not list one.
Is bakuchiol as good as retinol?+
In one 12-week trial of 44 people, 0.5% bakuchiol twice a day and 0.5% retinol once a day improved wrinkles and dark spots about equally, and bakuchiol caused less scaling and stinging. That is a single small study.
Can I track bakuchiol in Dose Track?+
Yes. Bakuchiol is in Dose Track's research library, so when you add it as a custom compound its details are filled in for you to check. You can then log each application next to your other compounds, set reminders on your own schedule, and see your history next to your lab results. Your log is stored on your phone and no account is needed. Data only leaves it for features you choose, like AI answers and lab reading.

Sources

  1. Dhaliwal S, et al. Prospective, randomized, double-blind assessment of topical bakuchiol and retinol for facial photoageing. Br J Dermatol. 2019;180(2):289-296.
  2. Chaudhuri RK, Bojanowski K. Bakuchiol: a retinol-like functional compound revealed by gene expression profiling and clinically proven to have anti-aging effects. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2014;36(3):221-230.
  3. Sánchez-Arjona M, et al. Allergic contact dermatitis to bakuchiol used for photodamage prevention: a case report. Contact Dermatitis. 2026;95(2):229-230.

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