After a month, I noticed that my skin was smoother and firmer, with improved clarity and tone. The texture around the eyes is closer to the baby’s butt area, but some darkness remains. Also, since I wasn’t restricted to using it only at night (as is typical with most retinol products), I was able to easily incorporate bakuchiol into my daily routine.
This brings another advantage in the battle between bakuchiol and retinol. Bakuchiol can be safely used during the day without fear of causing sun sensitivity. As I poured bakuchiol oil on my feet and applied cream around my eyes in 90-degree weather, I wondered who I was. Her audacity to soak up the sun while slathering the retinol-adjacent substance all over her body was breathtaking. I’ve never tried messing around with retinol like this because I’m too timid. (Full disclosure: I put sunscreen on my face, but I wasn’t as concerned about my body).
In my limited anecdotal experience, there was one area where I didn’t see any improvement. Bakuchiol does not seem to mimic retinol’s deeply satisfying pore-unclogging effects. To be fair, none of the studies I’ve read claim this to be the case. Dr. Engelman says bakuchiol’s antibacterial properties make it perfect for people with acne or oily skin, and acne-prone people should take advantage of its gentleness. “When using retinol, you may want to avoid certain products that can cause irritation, such as exfoliants, toners, and benzoyl peroxide. However, bakuchiol’s natural ingredients make it difficult to use other products in your skin care. It’s safe to use with,” she says. Davis agrees, pointing out that salicylic acid is a great addition to combat acne and comedones. In other words, it is effective when used in conjunction with other acne treatment aids.
