2025's Top Bakuchiol Moisturizers for Brighter, More Youthful-Looking Skin
Updated 06/07/2025Here's what you need to know when picking a bakuchiol cream that actually works.
Retinol has been touted as one of the must-have ingredients in your skincare routine, especially if you want to target the appearance of wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and blemishes. However, there’s a catch—retinol often causes harsh skin irritation, dryness, and peeling.
This is why skincare brands are opting for a plant-based, gentler alternative to retinol—bakuchiol, which offers retinol’s results without the intense side effects.
What is Bakuchiol?
Bakuchiol is an extract derived from the bachi plant (native to South Asia and India). Studies show that it’s as effective as retinol in minimizing the appearance of wrinkles, discoloration, sun damage, and uneven skin tone because it works through the same skin receptors that retinol uses.
Unlike retinol, bakuchiol is not a form of Vitamin A, so it doesn’t cause the same harsh skin irritation or sensitivity to the sun that retinol does. Bakuchiol actually has antioxidant properties—which make it safe for twice daily use.
That’s why many people are swapping out their irritating retinoids for a highly-effective bakuchiol moisturizer instead.
An Effective Bakuchiol moisturizer can:
Diminish the appearance of wrinkles & fine linesLock in moisture to visibly hydrate dry, dull skin
Visibly improve elasticity & firmness
Reduce the look of sun damage
Promote a bright, smooth, even-toned complexion
Visibly fade dark spots & discoloration
But with so many skincare companies jumping on the bakuchiol trend, how do you know which ones are the most effective?
We recommend choosing a bakuchiol product that contains additional antioxidants and moisturizing ingredients to help seal in the benefits for your skin.
Here's what to look for in a quality bakuchiol moisturizer:
Ingredients to Look For
BakuchiolBakuchiol is a plant-based alternative to retinol that helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, without harsh irritation.
Hyaluronic AcidOften listed as Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid is a potent ingredient that deeply moisturizes, plumps, and refreshes the skin.
Activated Vitamin CThis form of Vitamin C is dissolvable in oil-based products, making it 50x more effective than typical Vitamin C formulas. The acidity protects our skin cells and helps promote a youthful appearance.
Hydrating OilsPlant-based oils like Macadamia, Jojoba, and Olive oil visibly plump and hydrate skin due to their similar structure to the skin’s natural lipid barrier.
Polyglutamic AcidThis acid holds up to 10,000 times its weight in moisture and helps visibly hydrate, smooth, and plump skin.
SqualaneA potent hydrating ingredient that visibly regulates oil production, while locking in enough moisture to keep your complexion looking smooth, balanced, and healthy.
Ingredients To Avoid
- Synthetic Dyes & Fragrances
Synthetic dyes and fragrances can irritate your skin, clog pores, and cause acne. They can also strip your skin of important nutrients and oils.
- Parabens
Parabens are synthetic preservatives that can affect hormone levels and potentially cause skin damage when exposed to sunlight.
- Heavy Mineral Oils
Mineral oil sits on top of the skin, creating a coating that clogs pores and suffocates the skin.
- Petroleum
Petroleum-based products can't be metabolized and also create an invisible film on the surface that clogs pores and traps dirt and oil under the skin.
3 Must-Haves For a Bakuchiol Cream
- Transparent List of Ingredients
Some skincare brands fail to list all of their ingredients, which means you might be using a product with potentially harmful chemicals, such as sulfates, parabens, heavy mineral oils, and petroleum.
- Quality Moisturization
Research shows that hydration helps maintain your skin’s barrier and promote regular melanin production. To get the best bang for your buck, look for a bakuchiol cream that doesn’t just help smooth your complexion, but helps moisturize, too.
- Money-Back Guarantee
Look for a strong, risk-free guarantee that the company stands behind. This shows that it believes in the products it sells
What Not to do When Choosing A Bakuchiol Cream:
- Forget The Research
Not all bakuchiol creams are the same. Brands use different formulas, and some sneak in additives, so check that they contain the ingredients listed above.
- Prioritize Quality over Price
We found that the generic brands tended to fall short in potency. Focus on quality ingredients to avoid compromising your health.
The Results Are In...
We took all of these factors into account, and after reviewing 91 bakuchiol creams, we found the best on the market.
Top Picks are updated monthly based on testing and analyses:
Top Pick
Consumers Survey Recommended
- Formulated with gentle retinol alternative, bakuchiol
- Polyglutamic Acid
- Sodium Hyaluronate
- Activated Vitamin C
- Made in the USA with imported ingredients
- Hydrating oils
- Naturally derived, no artificial additives
- 60-day money-
back guarantee
#1: Tru Alchemy Quench Crème
Tru Alchemy’s Quench Crème is made using naturally derived ingredients including polyglutamic, sodium hyalurate and Activated Vitamin C — a version that's 50x more powerful than traditional Vitamin C serums.
It also contains plant-based retinol alternative, bakuchiol, as well as a blend of hydrating oils including macadamia, olive, and jojoba oils.
Quench Crème's formula is free of synthetic dyes and fragrances, petroleum, sulfates, and other harsh chemicals. Tru Alchemy offers a 60-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked, which also shows us they stand by their product.
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Rating
#2: Alpyn Beauty's Plantgenius Melt Moisturizer
The Plantgenius Melt Moisturizer by Alpyn Beauty ranks #2 on our list for its naturally derived formula and potent ingredients.
We verified that this moisturizer is formulated with bakuchiol, along with squalane, sodium hyaluronate, and Vitamin C. It contains no harsh fillers or additives.
However, Alpyn Beauty's only includes a 30-day guarantee, which may not be enough time to see if the product works well with your skin. With all this in mind, we decided to make the Plantgenius Melt Moisturizer by Alpyn Beauty our #2 pick.
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#3: Caley Island Ambrosia Bakuchiol Moisturizer
Coming in third place is Island Ambrosia by Caley.
Although it lacks squalane and polyglumatic acid, it does boast two of the other ingredients on our list. It has vitamin C (derived from the Kakadu Plum) and hyaluronic acid (derived from Viola Tricolor).
The reviews are generally positive, earning this product our #3 spot.
They do offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is good. But for some people, it may not be enough time to decide if the product is right for them.
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#4: Paula's Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment
Even though this formula contains retinol, we chose to include it due to the high customer satisfaction rate.
This product does contain bakuchiol, as well as hyaluronic acid and vitamin C.
But because of the retinol, note that it may cause irritation, especially for those with sensitive skin.
We were pleased to see that Paula's Choice offers a 60-day money-back guarantee. Altogether, the #4 spot is well-earned.
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#5: OLEHENRIKSEN Goodnight Glow Retin-ALT Sleeping Crème
OLEHENRIKSEN's Goodnight Glow Retin-ALT Sleeping Crème comes in 5th on our list.
The Sleeping Crème contains plant-based bakuchiol and hydrolyzed jojoba esters to target the visible signs of aging, while improving the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
Unfortunately, OLEHENRIKSEN Goodnight Glow Retin-ALT Sleeping Crème lacks important ingredients—like squalane, hyaluronic and polyglutamic acids, and Vitamin C.
And, because this crème contains alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), it can only be used overnight. However, OLEHENRIKSON is backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee, which shows they stand behind their products. This is why the Goodnight Glow Retin-ALT Sleeping Crème landed in the #5 spot.
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P.S. While Tru Alchemy has the best bakuchiol moisturizer we've found, we would still love to hear about any others you've tried. If you have had a great experience of your own, please send me an email to Beverly@ConsumersSurvey.org with the details.
Sincerely,
Beverly Gratson,
Senior Health Editor
What We Do
ConsumersSurvey uses a unique three-step approach to reviewing the most popular products in the online marketplace
1. Research First we conduct in-house research with a highly qualified editorial team comprised of individuals who specialize in various fields.
2. SurveyWe survey our readers who have tried the product over time in order to learn from their experiences.
3. OpinionWe monitor public opinion in the world’s most popular marketplaces, from Amazon and eBay, to Bizrate and Pricegrabber.
As a consumer herself, Beverly is extremely dedicated to gathering and collecting reports and information and always on the lookout for highly-rated supplements. She's especially passionate about educating consumers in making wise decisions when it comes to purchasing health products.