After 12 weeks, bakuchiol 0.5% cream and retinol 0.5% cream performed equally well at reducing wrinkles and dark spots. The key difference: retinol users experienced more scaling and stinging, while bakuchiol was gentler on skin. This makes bakuchiol a viable option if retinol irritates you.

44 people were randomly assigned to use either bakuchiol or retinol twice daily for 12 weeks. Researchers took high-resolution photos at weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12, and a dermatologist (who didn't know who used what) evaluated pigmentation and redness changes.

Funding not disclosed in abstract