Dried babchi seeds in a ceramic dish on cream linen

THE HEAD-TO-HEAD STUDY

Bakuchiol, measured against retinol.

In a 12-week randomized, double-blind study, researchers compared 0.5% bakuchiol used twice daily with 0.5% retinol used once daily in 44 people with facial photoaging. Both significantly reduced wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation, with no statistically significant difference between them. The retinol group reported more scaling and stinging.

Dhaliwal et al., British Journal of Dermatology, 2019.

  • 12 weeks

    Head-to-head against retinol in a randomized, double-blind trial.

  • No measured difference

    Comparable reduction in wrinkles and pigmentation between bakuchiol and retinol.

  • Better tolerated

    The retinol group reported more facial scaling and stinging.

  • 16% more moisture

    Measured increase in a 4-week study on sensitive skin.
HALENE No. 01 Serum with a fresh babchi sprig and purple flower on cream linen

HOW IT WORKS

A retinol-like effect, without the retinoid.

Gene-expression profiling found that bakuchiol, despite no structural resemblance to retinoids, regulates many of the same skin pathways as retinol and upregulates collagen types I, III and IV. After 12 weeks of twice-daily use, researchers recorded improvement in lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, elasticity and firmness.

Chaudhuri and Bojanowski, International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014.

HALENE The Routine, the three bottles in a row from morning to night

FOR SKIN THAT REACTS

Studied on sensitive skin.

In a 4-week study of 60 women aged 40 to 65 with sensitive skin, including eczema, rosacea and cosmetic intolerance, a bakuchiol moisturizer was well tolerated and showed significant improvement in smoothness, clarity and overall appearance, alongside a 16% increase in measured skin moisture.

Draelos et al., Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2020.

WHERE WE DRAW THE LINE

Ingredient research, not product trials.

These are independent, peer-reviewed studies of bakuchiol and its supporting ingredients, not clinical trials of HALENE's finished products. We build on that evidence and stay precise about it. We would rather be exact than overstate. For the fuller story on why we chose bakuchiol, read Our Why.

References

Show the studies

Dhaliwal S, Rybak I, Ellis SR, et al. “Prospective, randomized, double-blind assessment of topical bakuchiol and retinol for facial photoageing.” British Journal of Dermatology. 2019;180(2):289–296. doi:10.1111/bjd.16918.

Chaudhuri RK, Bojanowski K. “Bakuchiol: a retinol-like functional compound revealed by gene expression profiling and clinically proven to have anti-aging effects.” International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2014;36(3):221–230. doi:10.1111/ics.12117.

Draelos ZD, Gunt H, Zeichner J, Levy S. “Clinical Evaluation of a Nature-Based Bakuchiol Anti-Aging Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin.” Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2020;19(12):1181–1183. doi:10.36849/JDD.2020.5522.

Tanno O, Ota Y, Kitamura N, Katsube T, Inoue S. “Nicotinamide increases biosynthesis of ceramides as well as other stratum corneum lipids to improve the epidermal permeability barrier.” British Journal of Dermatology. 2000;143(3):524–531. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2000.03705.x.

Bissett DL, Oblong JE, Berge CA. “Niacinamide: A B Vitamin that Improves Aging Facial Skin Appearance.” Dermatologic Surgery. 2005;31(s1):860–866. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2005.31732.x.

HALENE No. 03 Overnight Cream with a fresh babchi sprig and purple flower on cream linen

THE ROUTINE

Start the retinoid-free routine.

Three steps built around bakuchiol: No. 01 Serum, No. 02 Eye Cream, and No. 03 Overnight Cream.

Shop The Routine