Bakuchiol
Plant-derived 'natural retinol' alternative. Pregnancy-safe with comparable anti-aging benefits to retinol — no teratogenicity concerns.
Quick answer
Bakuchiol is the leading pregnancy-safe alternative to retinol. A 2018 head-to-head clinical trial showed bakuchiol matched retinol's improvements in fine lines and pigmentation, with fewer side effects. No teratogenicity concerns — structurally unrelated to vitamin A.
INCI name
Bakuchiol
CAS number
10309-37-2
Also known as
Bakuchi, Babchi extract (Psoralea corylifolia / Cullen corylifolium)
Formula
C18H24O
What is Bakuchiol?
What bakuchiol is
Bakuchiol is a meroterpene compound extracted from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia (also called Cullen corylifolium, or babchi). Traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine systems have used babchi-seed extracts for skin conditions for centuries. Modern cosmetic interest dates to roughly 2007, when its retinol-like effects on skin were first published1.
Despite the marketing positioning as “natural retinol,” bakuchiol is chemically unrelated to vitamin A or any retinoid. It activates similar gene expression patterns in skin (collagen synthesis, exfoliation), but through different molecular mechanisms.
Why bakuchiol is pregnancy-safe
Bakuchiol carries none of the retinoid family’s teratogenicity concerns because it’s not a retinoid — it doesn’t bind retinoic acid receptors and doesn’t convert to retinoic acid in skin. The retinol-related mechanism (RAR/RXR receptor activation that drives teratogenicity) simply doesn’t apply2.
No pregnancy-specific safety signals have been identified in clinical use or animal studies. Topical absorption is minimal, and no metabolites of concern have been identified.
Does it actually work?
The 2018 head-to-head clinical trial by Dhaliwal et al. (published in British Journal of Dermatology) compared 0.5% bakuchiol twice daily to 0.5% retinol nightly over 12 weeks. Results:
- Both groups showed statistically significant improvements in wrinkle depth and hyperpigmentation
- Differences between groups were not statistically significant — bakuchiol effectively matched retinol’s outcomes
- The retinol group reported more scaling and stinging3
This is the strongest comparative evidence supporting bakuchiol as a legitimate retinol alternative, not just a marketing rebrand.
How to use bakuchiol during pregnancy
- Common concentrations: 0.5–2%
- Apply morning and/or evening (no photosensitivity concerns, unlike retinol)
- Layer with vitamin C, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid — all compatible
- Pair with daily mineral sunscreen for best anti-aging stack4
Common bakuchiol products
Bakuchiol is now in widely-available formulations from Ole Henriksen, Herbivore, Versed, The Inkey List, Paula’s Choice, Biossance, and others. Check that bakuchiol is listed in the top half of the ingredient panel rather than as a trace claim.
When to talk to your OB
If you used a product containing Bakuchiol before learning you were pregnant, mention it at your next prenatal visit — but most topical cosmetic exposures are not a cause for panic. For prescription exposures or specific concerns, contact your OB or midwife directly.
Sources
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. Bakuchiol. PubChem. View source →
- Chaudhuri RK, Bojanowski K. (2014). Bakuchiol: a retinol-like functional compound revealed by gene expression profiling. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. View source →
- Dhaliwal S, Rybak I, Ellis SR, et al. (2019). Prospective, randomized, double-blind assessment of topical bakuchiol and retinol for facial photoaging. British Journal of Dermatology. View source →
- Adarsh A, Chettiar K, Singh G, et al. (2022). Bakuchiol: A Newer Nature-Based Alternative to Retinol. Indian Dermatology Online Journal. View source →