If you're pregnant and staring at your skincare shelf wondering what's still safe to use - you're not alone. One of the most Googled skincare questions during pregnancy is whether bakuchiol is pregnancy-safe. The short answer? Yes, bakuchiol is widely considered one of the safest retinol alternatives for use during pregnancy. But let's go deeper, because you deserve a complete, honest answer.
Bakuchiol is a plant-derived compound extracted from the seeds and leaves of the Psoralea corylifolia plant, which has been used in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries. In modern skincare, it's celebrated as a natural, gentle alternative to retinol - delivering similar anti-aging benefits like smoothing fine lines, improving skin tone, and boosting collagen production, but without the harsh side effects that make retinol off-limits during pregnancy.
Retinol (and its prescription form, tretinoin) is a form of Vitamin A. While Vitamin A is essential in small amounts, high doses - particularly from topical retinoids - have been linked to a risk of birth defects. This is why most dermatologists and OBGYNs advise pregnant women to avoid all forms of retinol, including retinyl palmitate, retinaldehyde, and tretinoin, throughout pregnancy.
Yes. Unlike retinol, bakuchiol is not a form of Vitamin A and does not carry the same risks. It works through different biochemical pathways to produce similar results. A landmark 2018 clinical study published in the British Journal of Dermatology found bakuchiol to be comparable to retinol in reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and skin discoloration - without the irritation or safety concerns. Dermatologists frequently recommend bakuchiol as the go-to retinol substitute for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
The NHS (UK National Health Service) and most OBGYN guidelines advise avoiding retinoids during pregnancy. While bakuchiol doesn't have decades of pregnancy-specific clinical trials behind it the way some ingredients do, its plant-based, non-retinoid nature makes it the most widely accepted retinol alternative for pregnancy use. Always consult your own doctor or midwife for personalized advice.
🌿 Try it: Shop the Radiant Bloom Organic Bakuchiol Serum — Pregnancy-Safe & ECOCERT Certified ($34.99) — ECOCERT COSMOS Organic certified, pregnancy-safe, vegan & cruelty-free.
Not all bakuchiol products are created equal. Look for these qualities when choosing a pregnancy-safe bakuchiol serum: it should be free from retinol, retinoids, and synthetic fragrances; ideally certified organic (like ECOCERT COSMOS); free from parabens, phthalates, and harmful preservatives; and third-party tested for purity. The Radiant Bloom Organic Bakuchiol Serum checks every one of these boxes - it's ECOCERT COSMOS Organic certified, vegan, cruelty-free, and formulated without any ingredients that raise concerns during pregnancy.
Apply a few drops to clean skin morning or evening (bakuchiol is safe to use both day and night, unlike retinol). Follow with your moisturizer and always use SPF 30+ during the day. Start with every other day if you have sensitive skin and increase as tolerated.
📚 📚 Read next: What Skincare to Avoid While Pregnant (And What to Use Instead) | I Accidentally Used Retinol While Pregnant – What Now? | The Golden Rules of Pregnancy Skincare Every Expectant Mother Should Know
