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Bakuchiol Peptides

Bakuchiol Peptides

Product Description

Product overview

Made in Various INTERNATIONAL

A clinically proven, plant-based retinol alternative featuring 1.25% pure bakuchiol combined with brightening peptide precursors and calming centella asiatica. This lightweight oil-based serum delivers visible anti-aging results without irritation, making it ideal for sensitive skin and safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Vegan & Cruelty-Free Pregnancy Safe* Retinol Alternative AM & PM Use Fragrance-Free Paraben-Free Photo-Stabilized Formula
Pregnancy
Yes *
Fungal Acne
No
Comedogenic
1/5
Size
30ml / 1 fl oz
Key Active
1.25% Bakuchiol
Form
Oil Serum
Formula
Vegan
Usage
AM & PM
Real reviews · YouTube Shorts
Why it's different

Plant-Based Retinol Alternative

Clinically proven bakuchiol delivers retinol-like results without irritation, dryness, or sun sensitivity.

01

Texture & feel

SENSORY
Consistency
Lightweight Oil
Scent
Fragrance-Free
Absorption
30-60 seconds
Finish
Dewy/Satin

Plant-Based Retinol Alternative

Clinically proven bakuchiol delivers retinol-like results without irritation, dryness, or sun sensitivity.

Brightening Peptide Precursors

Undecylenoyl phenylalanine helps reduce melanin production for a more even, radiant complexion.

Centella Asiatica (Cica)

Soothes inflammation, calms redness, and supports skin barrier repair for comfortable, healthy skin.

Photo-Stabilized Formula

UV-protected glass bottle plus krameria triandra root extract ensures potency until the last drop.

02

Safety & compatibility

SAFE
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe*

Contains no retinoids, high-concentration acids, or known harmful ingredients. *Consult physician if concerned.

Not Fungal Acne Safe

Contains plant oils (sunflower, moringa, olive, jojoba) that may feed malassezia yeast.

Sensitive Skin Friendly

Fragrance-free formula with soothing cica and no harsh actives. Patch test recommended.

Day & Night Use

Unlike retinol, bakuchiol is not photosensitizing. Safe to use morning and evening.

Pairs Well With Vitamin C

Medik8 recommends pairing with their C-Tetra Luxe for the full CSA (vitamin C, Sunscreen, vitamin A alternative) routine.

Always Wear SPF

While bakuchiol doesn't increase sun sensitivity, daily sunscreen protects anti-aging results.

03

Ingredient breakdown

INGREDIENTS

Bakuchiol 1.25%Proven

A plant-derived compound from the babchi plant that mimics retinol's effects on skin without causing irritation, dryness, or photosensitivity. Stimulates collagen production, improves elasticity, and reduces fine lines.

  • British Journal of Dermatology Study: 0.5% bakuchiol showed comparable results to 0.5% retinol after 12 weeks with better tolerability
  • Function: Upregulates collagen I, III, IV production and downregulates MMP enzymes that break down collagen
  • Anti-Acne: 1% concentration showed 57% reduction in acne after 6 weeks of treatment
Unlike retinol, bakuchiol can be used twice daily without irritation and doesn't require gradual introduction.

Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine ActivePromising

A brightening peptide precursor that penetrates skin to inhibit melanin production, helping to reduce dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone for a more radiant complexion.

  • Mechanism: Blocks alpha-MSH binding to melanocytes, reducing melanin synthesis
  • Benefit: Supports visibly brighter, more even skin tone over time

Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract ActiveProven

Also known as Cica or Tiger Grass, this ancient medicinal herb calms inflammation, supports wound healing, and strengthens the skin barrier. Rich in madecassoside and asiaticoside.

  • Anti-inflammatory: Proven to reduce visible redness and calm irritated skin
  • Collagen Support: Stimulates collagen synthesis for firmer skin
  • Barrier Repair: Helps restore and strengthen compromised skin barrier

Inka Omega Oil (Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil) ActiveNourishing

A premium omega-rich oil from the Sacha Inchi plant native to the Amazon, packed with omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids to nourish and protect the skin barrier.

  • Omega Content: 42-49% alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3), 32-38% linoleic acid (omega-6)
  • Antioxidant: Contains vitamin E (200 mg/kg) for environmental protection
  • Barrier Support: Replenishes skin lipids and prevents moisture loss
This oil contains fatty acids that may feed malassezia yeast - not recommended for fungal acne prone skin.

Krameria Triandra Root Extract StabilizerSupporting

A photo-stabilizing ingredient that works with the UV-protected glass bottle to maintain bakuchiol's potency over time, ensuring the formula stays effective until the last drop.

  • Function: Protects bakuchiol from degradation caused by light exposure
  • Medik8 Innovation: Part of their dual-action stability system unique to this formulation

21 ingredients

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Bakuchiol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Krameria Triandra Root Extract, Tocopherol, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Flower Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract.

FREE FROM: Retinol/Retinoids, Parabens, Sulfates, Silicones, Alcohol, Artificial Fragrance, Synthetic Dyes, Mineral Oil, PEGs, Phthalates
04

Where it fits in your routine

ROUTINE
1
Cleanser
2
Toner
3
Vitamin C (AM)
4
Bakuchiol Peptides
5
Moisturizer
6
SPF (AM)

Apply after water-based serums, before heavier creams. Can be used both AM & PM. Pairs perfectly with Medik8 Vitamin C serums for the CSA routine.

05

How to use

HOW TO USE
1

Cleanse Your Skin

Start with clean, dry skin. Use your regular cleanser to remove makeup, SPF, and impurities.

2

Dispense 6 Drops

Shake gently if needed. Dispense approximately 6 drops of the serum onto your fingertips.

3

Massage Into Skin

Gently massage across face, neck, and décolletage using upward and outward motions until absorbed.

4

Follow With Moisturizer

Allow 30-60 seconds for absorption, then apply your moisturizer. In AM, always finish with SPF.

06

Who is it for?

WHO

Perfect for you if:

  • You want anti-aging benefits without retinol irritation
  • You are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • You have sensitive or reactive skin
  • You cannot tolerate retinoids
  • You want to use anti-aging AM & PM
  • You're looking for a gentler introduction to anti-aging
  • You want to address fine lines, uneven tone, and texture

Consider alternatives if:

  • You have fungal acne (malassezia folliculitis)
  • You prefer water-based serums over oils
  • You have very oily skin and dislike dewy finishes
  • You need aggressive anti-aging (try prescription retinoids)
  • You're on a tight budget (more affordable dupes exist)
  • You want immediate dramatic results
07

Skin type compatibility

SKIN TYPES
Dry Skin
Excellent

Oil-based formula provides nourishing moisture. Omega-rich Inka oil deeply hydrates and supports barrier function.

Oily Skin
Moderate

Lightweight but still an oil-based serum. Some may find it too rich - use sparingly or mix with moisturizer.

Combination Skin
Good

Works well when applied to drier areas. Can target cheeks while avoiding oilier T-zone if needed.

Sensitive Skin
Excellent

Fragrance-free with soothing cica. No irritating actives. Much gentler than retinol - ideal for reactive skin.

Mature Skin
Excellent

Targets fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness. Nourishing oils help combat dryness common in mature skin.

Acne-Prone Skin
Moderate

Bakuchiol has anti-acne properties, but oil base may not suit all. Avoid if you have fungal acne.

08

Results timeline

WEEK 12+
Week 1-2

Instant Hydration & Comfort

Skin feels immediately nourished and plumped. Oil-based formula provides instant softness and a healthy glow. No irritation or purging period required.

85% noticed improved hydration
Week 4-6

Improved Texture & Tone

Skin starts to look smoother with reduced roughness. Early improvements in uneven skin tone and radiance become noticeable.

70% noticed smoother texture
Week 8-12

Visible Anti-Aging Results

Fine lines appear softer and less visible. Skin looks firmer with improved elasticity. Significant improvement in overall radiance and tone evenness.

78% noticed reduced fine lines
Week 12+

Cumulative Benefits

Continued improvement with consistent use. Collagen and elastin production supported long-term. Skin maintains youthful, healthy appearance.

82% would repurchase
09

Ratings by platform

850+ REVIEWS
Medik8 Official
4.8
Rating
500+
Reviews
Main complaint: Oily texture doesn't suit everyone's preference
Sephora UK
5.0
Rating
50+
Reviews
Main complaint: Wish it came in a larger size
Space NK
4.7
Rating
100+
Reviews
Main complaint: Premium price point compared to alternatives
Lookfantastic
4.3
Rating
200+
Reviews
Main complaint: Can feel too oily for some skin types
10

Pros & cons

BALANCED

Praised

  • Gentle yet effective anti-aging without irritation
  • Safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding
  • Can be used both morning and night
  • Lightweight, absorbs well for an oil serum
  • Photo-stabilized formula maintains potency
  • Fragrance-free and vegan formulation
  • Visible results for fine lines and texture
  • Works beautifully under makeup

Criticized

  • Not fungal acne safe due to plant oils
  • Oil texture may not suit oily skin types
  • Premium price point ($58 for 30ml)
  • Results slower than prescription retinoids
  • Some find it doesn't provide enough hydration alone
  • Small bottle size relative to price
  • May need additional moisturizer for very dry skin
11

Budget-friendly alternatives (dupes)

DUPES
85% Match
Bakuchiol Moisturizer
$9.99
Budget Pick

1% bakuchiol in a cream formula with squalane. More moisturizing texture, fragrance-free. Best budget alternative but lacks peptide precursors and cica. 30ml size.

75% Match
Herbivore Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Smoothing Serum
$54.00
Similar Price

4% bakuchiol concentration (higher than Medik8). Clean formula with squalane and vitamin C. Slightly different approach - more focused on smoothing. 30ml bottle.

70% Match
Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment
$45.00
Similar Price

Contains BOTH retinol and bakuchiol - not pregnancy safe. More powerful for faster results but may cause sensitivity. Better for those who can tolerate retinol. 30ml.

65% Match
Squalane + Retinol Night Serum
$72.00

Features bakuchiol in a squalane base with niacinamide. Cleaner formulation but pricier. Similar pregnancy-safe positioning. Slightly richer texture. 30ml bottle.

12

Comparison with competitors

SIDE-BY-SIDE
Bakuchiol Moisturizer
Bakuchiol Concentration 1%
Additional Actives Squalane only
Pregnancy Safe Yes
Fungal Acne Safe No
Formula Type Light Cream
Size 30ml
Bakuchiol Serum
Bakuchiol Concentration 4%
Additional Actives Vitamin C + Squalane
Pregnancy Safe Yes
Fungal Acne Safe No
Formula Type Oil Serum
Size 30ml
Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment
Bakuchiol Concentration 2%
Additional Actives 0.3% Retinol + Peptides
Pregnancy Safe No (contains retinol)
Fungal Acne Safe No
Formula Type Lotion
Size 30ml
13

Storage & shelf life

12 MONTHS
Period After Opening (PAO)

12 months after opening

Storage

Store in cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. UV-protected glass bottle helps maintain stability.

Packaging

UV-protected amber glass dropper bottle with photo-stabilizing formula

Travel Friendly

Yes - 30ml is under 100ml/3.4oz TSA liquid limit for carry-on luggage

13

Frequently asked questions

FAQ

Yes, this product is considered safe for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.* It contains no retinoids, high-concentration exfoliating acids, or other ingredients known to be problematic during pregnancy. However, due to ethical considerations, it has not been specifically tested on pregnant women. If you have any concerns, always consult your physician before use. (*Statement based on ingredient analysis, not clinical testing on pregnant populations.)

No, this product is NOT safe for fungal acne. It contains several plant-based oils including sunflower seed oil, moringa seed oil, jojoba seed oil, and olive fruit oil that contain fatty acids which can feed malassezia yeast. If you have fungal acne or pityrosporum folliculitis, consider alternative bakuchiol products with simpler, oil-free formulations.

Yes! Bakuchiol pairs beautifully with other actives. Medik8 actually recommends using it with their vitamin C serums as part of their CSA (vitamin C, Sunscreen, A-alternative) routine. Unlike retinol, bakuchiol doesn't cause increased sensitivity, so it can be safely layered with AHAs and BHAs. Some studies show bakuchiol can even help stabilize retinol, so combining them is safe and may boost results.

This serum is best suited for dry, normal, sensitive, and mature skin types. The oil-based formula provides nourishing hydration while the gentle bakuchiol delivers anti-aging benefits without irritation. Those with very oily skin may find the texture too rich, and those with fungal acne should avoid it due to the plant oils. It's particularly excellent for sensitive skin that cannot tolerate retinol.

Immediate effects include hydration and a healthy glow. Noticeable improvements in skin texture and radiance typically appear within 4-6 weeks. Significant visible reduction in fine lines and improved firmness generally takes 8-12 weeks of consistent use, as this is how long collagen-boosting ingredients need to show effects in the deeper skin layers. Results are gradual but cumulative.

Apply after cleansing and toning, and after any water-based serums (like vitamin C or hyaluronic acid). As an oil-based serum, it should go before your moisturizer. In the morning, always follow with SPF. You can use it both AM and PM - unlike retinol, bakuchiol doesn't increase sun sensitivity. Use approximately 6 drops per application.

The product has a low comedogenic rating of 1/5. The main carrier, caprylic/capric triglyceride, has a comedogenic rating of 0-1, and sunflower seed oil (high in linoleic acid) also has a 0 rating. However, individual reactions vary, and those very prone to clogged pores may want to patch test first. The formula is generally well-tolerated, but it's not recommended for fungal acne sufferers.

The product has a PAO (Period After Opening) of 12 months. Thanks to Medik8's innovative stability system - combining a UV-protected glass bottle with photo-stabilizing krameria triandra root extract - the formula maintains its potency throughout its shelf life. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight for optimal preservation.

— Skincarisma verdict
4.5 / 5 ★★★★★

Verdict: Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides is an excellent, well-formulated retinol alternative that delivers on its promises. The 1.25% bakuchiol concentration, combined with brightening peptide precursors and soothing cica, provides a comprehensive anti-aging solution without irritation. It's particularly valuable for pregnant/nursing individuals and those with sensitive skin who cannot tolerate retinoids. The photo-stabilized formula ensures lasting potency. While the premium price point may deter some (especially when budget dupes exist), the sophisticated formulation, elegant texture, and proven results justify the investment for those seeking a gentle yet effective approach to aging. Just note it's not suitable for fungal acne prone skin.

Product Overview

question
lightbulb What are Quick Product Notes?

Quick product notes are a great way to check if a product is free from commonly avoided ingredients by skincare enthusiasts. These preferences come about for different reasons depending on the ingredient such as personal experiences, sensitivities, health preferences & etc.

muscle Pro Tip Alert!

Just because a product is not free from a common preference does not mean it's a bad product! You can make a personal decision whether or not you want to use a product that contains these ingredients or not - click the labels of the preference to read more about them.

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Quick Product Notes

Click on icons for more information
question
lightbulb What are Notable Effects & Ingredients?

Ever used a product that promised a certain effect but provided no results? It might not have contained any notable ingredients that could have been responsible for that promised effect. It doesn't matter what the marketing or packaging «promises» it can do, if it doesn't contain anything that can help - then the likelihood of it helping is low.

We help you identify key notable ingredients that have been shown to help with effects such as acne-fighting, brightening, UV-protection, wound healing & anti-aging to help you achieve your skincare goals smarter. Please note that different notable ingredients have varying levels of research behind them, some are extremely well proven yet some have mixed research in their efficacy.

muscle Pro Tip Alert!

Just because a product doesn't contain any notable ingredients doesn't mean it's bad. And a product with notable ingredients (or even many) doesn't necessarily guarantee the efficacy of the product performing these effects either. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine this.

Be smart and use this as just a starting point for you to make more informed and smarter choices and compare it with reviews to see if the product is right for you

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Notable Effects & Ingredients

anti-aging Anti-Aging from 3 ingredient(s):
Bakuchiol Tocopherol Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
brightening Brightening from 1 ingredient(s):
Bakuchiol
wound Promotes Wound Healing from 3 ingredient(s):
Tocopherol Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
question
lightbulb What are Ingredients Related to Skin Type?

Why are some products great for some people and horrible for others? Well everyone has different skin types and different reactions to the same ingredients.

We've identified a range of ingredients that are commonly regarded as potentially good or bad for those with Dry, Oily/Acne-Prone or Sensitive skin.

muscle Pro Tip Alert!

A product that contains good or bad ingredients for your skin type doesn't always flat out make the entire product good or bad for your skin. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine your skins reaction.

One of the best ways to use this section is to troubleshoot products you've had bad experiences with in the past. Check if it contains any of the marked ingredients to point out suspect ingredients to avoid in the future!

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Ingredients Related to Skin Types

Click on icons for more information
dry-skin Dry Skin
1
oily-skin Oily/Acne-Prone Skin
sensitive-skin Sensitive Skin
question
lightbulb What is the Ingredient Safety Breakdown?

Ingredient Safety Breakdown refers to the percentage % of ingredients in different risk categories as classified by EWG (Environment Working Group) if they are available. There are almost endless cosmetic ingredients and they are one of the few organisations globally that have assigned ratings to a lot of the more commonly used ingredients which is why we reference them.

muscle Pro Tip Alert!

EWG is seen by many to be more on the alarmist side in their assignment of health ratings resulting in rating ingredients as riskier than they actually are. We recommend using this a reference point rather than a strict guide of ingredient safety and to always do further research if into ingredients that you may find suspect.

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Ingredient Safety Breakdown

EWG Health Ratings
Low risk
Medium risk
High risk
Unknown risk
42% 57%

Product ingredient list

Showing first 5 of 21 ingredients
EWG CIR Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions Notes
1 A
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Solvent, Skin Conditioning, Masking, Perfuming, Emollient
0 Unknown
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Hydrating
1 Unknown
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial, Cosmetic Biocide, Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Antioxidant
brightening Brightening
anti-aging Anti-Aging
Redness
Irritation
Dark Spots
1 A
Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
Emollient, Humectant, Skin Protecting
1 A
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning, Emollient
VIEW ALL INGREDIENTS