You’ve probably heard of retinol for its powerful anti-aging effects on the skin, but have you heard of bakuchiol, a skincare active that is considered a retinol alternative?
Bakuchiol is an ingredient that has been making waves in the beauty world for its anti-aging benefits. It can provide many of the same benefits as retinol but is gentler on the skin, making it a good alternative for those who can’t tolerate retinol.
The Inkey List Bakuchiol Moisturizer is a facial moisturizer that contains bakuchiol and other beneficial ingredients to smooth the skin and support a healthy skin barrier.
How does The Inkey List Bakuchiol Moisturizer perform? Let’s find out in this The Inkey List Bakuchiol review.
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The Inkey List Bakuchiol Moisturizer
At A Glance
- Targets: Signs of aging, such as wrinkles, fine lines, dullness, and uneven skin tone.
- Key Ingredients: Contains 1% bakuchiol, 3% squalane, and 1.5% Sacha Inchi oil.
- Benefits: Offers anti-aging effects similar to retinol, including a reduction in the look of wrinkles, and pigmentation and improved skin elasticity, but without retinol’s irritation.
- Best For: Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
The Inkey List Bakuchiol Moisturizer contains 1% bakuchiol to reduce the look of wrinkles, fine lines, and uneven skin tone.
Bakuchiol Skin Benefits
Bakuchiol is a molecule found in the seeds of the Psoralea corylifolia plant, also known as the babchi herb.
Bakuchiol has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for centuries to help treat skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema due to its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory benefits.
In recent years, bakuchiol has been gaining attention for its anti-aging benefits.
This 2014 clinical study found that bakuchiol had similar gene expression and collagen stimulation as retinol, yielding improvement in lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, elasticity, and firmness, but without the unwanted side effects that come along with retinol.
The same benefits of retinol, but without the irritation?? Yes!!!
This clinical study, published in the British Journal of Dermatology in 2018, had participants apply either a 0.5% bakuchiol cream twice daily or 0.5% retinol cream daily.
While both reduced wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation, the participants who used retinol reported more facial skin scaling and stinging.
3% Squalane and 1.5% Sacha Inchi Oil
The Inkey List’s bakuchiol moisturizer also contains 3% squalane to help moisturize and protect the skin. Squalane is a saturated and stable hydrocarbon that is found naturally in the skin’s sebum (oil).
Squalane helps to reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL), making it a great choice for dry skin. It’s also very lightweight, so it may also work for those with combination and oily skin.
The moisturizer also contains 1.5% Sacha Inchi Oil, a plant oil rich in omega fatty acids 3, 6, and 9, as well as vitamin E, which has antioxidant properties that can help reduce inflammation and skin damage from free radicals.
Skin Types
This moisturizer is best for normal skin, but would also be good for sensitive, dry, combination, and dehydrated skin.
The Inkey List notes that it is suitable for oily skin, but since it contains oils, it will depend on your unique complexion.
The Inkey List Bakuchiol Moisturizer is cruelty-free and vegan.
The Inkey List Bakuchiol Review
The Inkey List Bakuchiol moisturizer is a white cream that feels very lightweight upon application. It leaves your skin with a glow thanks to the squalane and Sachi inchi oil in the formula.
My skin can get a bit oily throughout the day, but this has such a lightweight texture and feel on the skin that on days that I am feeling dehydrated I can use it under makeup without it feeling too heavy.
I like to apply a peptide serum and/or hyaluronic acid serum under the moisturizer for additional anti-aging and hydration benefits.
I am on my second tube of this moisturizer, and I see many of the same benefits when compared to an over-the-counter retinol product. Most noticeably, my skin feels tighter and smoother, and my pores appear smaller.
This natural retinol alternative is perfect for when my skin is irritated from retinol or from testing other potent actives like AHAs (i.e., glycolic acid).
You may also benefit from using this as a supplement to retinoids if you are looking for better anti-aging results.
I think the secret with bakuchiol is to give it time. I see better results after using it consistently for several weeks.
This bakuchiol moisturizer is a winner for me and is so affordable!
How To Use The Inkey List Bakuchiol Moisturizer
The Inkey List Bakuchiol Moisturizer can be used in both your morning and evening skincare routines.
Apply a blueberry-sized amount on your face and neck after cleansing, toning, and preferred serums.
While this moisturizer does not make your skin more sensitive to the sun, you should always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day as the last step of your morning skincare routine.
Be sure to patch test this and any other new skincare product before using it for the first time.
Where To Buy The Inkey List Bakuchiol Moisturizer
In the US, you can purchase The Inkey List Bakuchiol Moisturizer at Sephora and on The Inkey List website.
The Inkey List Bakuchiol Moisturizer Alternatives
Good Molecules Bakuchiol Oil Blend for Oily Skin
Good Molecules Bakuchiol Oil Blend for Oily Skin contains 1% bakuchiol plus a lightweight blend of baobab and rosehip seed oils to improve the look of wrinkles, fine lines, and loss of elasticity. The oil is ideal for combination and oily skin.
The Inkey List Retinol Serum
If you’d prefer to use a more potent anti-ager like retinol, The Inkey List has a Retinol Serum (see my review here) that contains 2% retinol and other beneficial ingredients to smooth the skin and support a healthy skin barrier.
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion (one of my favorite retinoids) is a gentle retinoid serum that is formulated to provide the same benefits as retinol but without the irritation.
The Ordinary also offers a 5% Granactive Retinoid concentration in squalane.
Related Post: The Inkey List vs The Ordinary
Bakuchiol vs Retinol
Bakuchiol is derived from the Psoralea corylifolia plant, whereas retinol is a form of vitamin A derived from animal sources, although retinol used in skincare products is synthetically produced.
Bakuchiol provides many of the same benefits as retinol, such as a decrease in the signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines and uneven skin tone and discoloration, but does not cause irritation and redness that typically comes along with retinol.
Retinol and other retinoids are not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but you can use The Inkey List Bakuchiol Moisturizer while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Check with your physician regarding the use of other bakuchiol products while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Retinol may cause sun sensitivity, while bakuchiol does not.
The Inkey List Bakuchiol Moisturizer: Affordable Retinol Alternative
If your main skin concern is aging skin, or if you have a sensitive skin type and cannot tolerate retinol or other retinoids, The Inkey List Bakuchiol Moisturizer is definitely worth a try to address the visible signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines and uneven skin texture and tone.
At such a low price, it’s definitely worth a shot if you are looking for a gentle retinol alternative.
For more on The Inkey List, check out my The Inkey List review.
Thanks for reading!
Sarah Roberts is the founder, writer, and photographer behind A Beauty Edit. With over 10 years of experience in the beauty industry, Sarah is an avid skincare and beauty enthusiast who shares the best beauty finds to help you save time and money!