The 4 Best Products with Bakuchiol, a Gentler Alternative to Retinol

Move over retinol—there's a new anti-aging powerhouse in town. It's not news that the vitamin A derivative retinol has proven anti-aging benefits and can also help boost collagen and combat acne. Still, retinol is so strong that it also has the potential to dry and irritate skin, making it difficult for people with sensitive skin types to tolerate it, points out New York-based dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, M.D. So, is it possible to reap retinol's many benefits with a gentler formula?

Enter bakuchiol, an extract found in the seeds and leaves of the psoralea corylifolia or babchi, a plant native to India that's known for its soft purple flowers. Because bakuchiol is made from this plant, some beauty products that contain this ingredient maintain its bright purple hue. Sounds Instagram-worthy, right? But what's really cool about bakuchiol is that it's a gentler alternative to retinol with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, says Debra Jaliman, M.D., a New York City-based dermatologist. (Related: Everything You Need to Know About Retinol and Its Skin-Care Benefits)