Bakuchiol is generally considered appropriate to use during pregnancy skincare. It's a plant-derived ingredient widely used as a retinol alternative in pregnancy-considered skincare. It has become a go-to for pregnant women who want to support skin texture and evenness, given that retinol is typically set aside at this time. This article covers what the evidence says about bakuchiol's safety, how it compares to retinol, whether it is appropriate while breastfeeding, and how to introduce it into your routine, including through nātelle's bakuchiol serum during pregnancy.
Is bakuchiol safe to use during pregnancy?
The available evidence does not identify bakuchiol as a safety concern in pregnancy, and it is not classified as a retinoid, which is the ingredient category most commonly raised as a concern.1
General guidance from MotherSafe and clinical reviews of skincare safety in pregnancy note that cosmetics and over-the-counter skincare applied directly to the skin are generally considered unlikely to be harmful, particularly when absorption into the bloodstream is minimal.2,3 Bakuchiol is a meroterpene, a plant-derived compound with a fundamentally different molecular structure to retinol.4 It does not act through the same receptor pathways associated with the developmental concerns linked to retinoids.1,5 No clinical trials have specifically studied bakuchiol in pregnant populations. The absence of data is not the same as evidence of risk. Current evidence and dermatological guidance support bakuchiol as a reasonable ingredient choice during pregnancy, especially when weighed against the clearer recommendation to avoid topical retinoids.1
Bakuchiol vs retinol in pregnancy
Bakuchiol produces comparable visible results to retinol in clinical research, without being a retinoid.
Topical retinoids, including tretinoin and high-dose vitamin A derivatives, are generally avoided during pregnancy because of their association with retinoic acid receptor activity, which has been linked to developmental effects in animal studies.1 A 12-week randomised, double-blind clinical trial published in the British Journal of Dermatology compared bakuchiol 0.5% applied twice daily with retinol 0.5% applied daily in 44 participants.6 Both groups saw a significant reduction in the appearance of fine lines and pigmentation, with no statistically significant difference in outcomes between them.6 Bakuchiol users reported noticeably less scaling and stinging.6 This was a single study, and the findings should be understood in that context. The takeaway is that bakuchiol showed comparable visible results with better tolerability, not that the two are clinically proven equivalent. Where bakuchiol differs mechanistically is that it achieves retinol-like effects through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity rather than through direct retinoid receptor binding.5,7
Can you use bakuchiol while breastfeeding?
There is no evidence to suggest bakuchiol is a concern during breastfeeding.
MotherSafe guidance and clinical reviews of topical products in the perinatal period consistently note that cosmetics and skincare products are generally considered safe to use while breastfeeding, given that absorption through the skin is typically minimal.2,3 Bakuchiol is not in a category of topical ingredient known to pass into breastmilk in clinically significant quantities. No specific clinical data exists on bakuchiol in breastfeeding populations, which is consistent with how most cosmetic ingredients are assessed. As with any change to your routine during this period, speaking with your GP, midwife or dermatologist about your individual situation is always a sound step.
How to introduce bakuchiol into a pregnancy routine
Bakuchiol can be used morning or evening, which is a practical advantage over retinol. It does not increase the skin's sensitivity to sun exposure, so your usual daily SPF is sufficient and there is no need to limit use to evenings.5,6
Before applying to your face, do a patch test on the inside of your wrist or behind your ear for 24 to 48 hours. Pregnancy can change how skin responds to products, and this is a sensible step with any new ingredient. Apply to clean skin before moisturiser. Bakuchiol is compatible with other pregnancy-appropriate ingredients including niacinamide, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. nātelle's bakuchiol serum during pregnancy is reviewed for use in pregnancy and formulated to support smoother, more renewed-looking skin throughout the perinatal period. To learn more about how ingredients are evaluated for use in pregnancy-considered products, read about how nātelle chooses ingredients.
References
- Putra IB, Jusuf NK, Dewi NK. Skin changes and safety profile of topical products during pregnancy. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2022;15(2):49–57. View source
- MotherSafe, Royal Hospital for Women. Skin care, hair care and cosmetic treatments in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Sydney: South Eastern Sydney Local Health District; 2021. View source
- Bozzo P, Chua-Gocheco A, Einarson A. Safety of skin care products during pregnancy. Can Fam Physician. 2011;57(6):665–667. View source
- Nizam NN, Mahmud S, Ark SMA, et al. Bakuchiol, a natural constituent and its pharmacological benefits. F1000Res. 2023;12:1116. doi:10.12688/f1000research.129072.2. View source
- Puyana C, Chandan N, Tsoukas M. Applications of bakuchiol in dermatology: systematic review of the literature. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022;21(12):6636–6643. doi:10.1111/jocd.15420. View source
- Dhaliwal S, Rybak I, Ellis SR, et al. Prospective, randomized, double-blind assessment of topical bakuchiol and retinol for facial photoageing. Br J Dermatol. 2019;180(2):289–296. doi:10.1111/bjd.16918. View source
- Chaudhuri RK, Bojanowski K. Bakuchiol: a retinol-like functional compound revealed by gene expression profiling and clinically proven to have anti-aging effects. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2014;36(3):221–230. doi:10.1111/ics.12117. View source
The information in this article is general in nature and does not constitute medical advice. Always speak with your midwife, GP or dermatologist before changing your skincare routine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
